Hearts in Action

Women of Substance luncheon honors Houston’s leading ladies of giving

Philanthropy took a bow at the Eighth Annual Women of Substance Luncheon, where Houston’s most dynamic do-gooders gathered at the Post Oak Hotel on November 6 to toast to the power of giving. The event highlighted Houston reVision’s transformative work with at-risk youth.

Paul-David Van Atta, the mastermind behind the event, welcomed the well-heeled crowd before Rev. Trent Pettit delivered the invocation. Luncheon co-chairs April McGee and Paula Sutton, both 2023 honorees, shared words of gratitude and rallied support for reVision’s programs.

KHOU’s Deborah Duncan and tech guru Michael Garfield as emcees spotlighted honorees such as Jacqueline W. Bostic, this year’s Spirit of Substance recipient. She was presented with an angel glass sculpture by Bill Meek, while Trini Mendenhall-Royalty received the Lifetime of Substance honor for her years of philanthropic leadership. Top donors included 2023 luncheon co-chairs and former Women of Substance Dr. Sippi Khurana and Amy Pierce, April and Wells McGee, and 2024 honoree Edna Meyer-Nelson.

Houston reVision CEO Charles Rotramel shared stories of the nonprofit’s impact, from providing emergency housing for 48 youth to serving 7,300 meals and even launching a girls’ soccer team. Youth honoree Bella Chramosta inspired with her work to direct funds to reVision through the Greater Houston Community Foundation’s Giving Circle.

Applause went to Laura Ward and Houston Children’s Charity for outfitting apartments with essential furnishings for the Homeless Youth Program, and to Theatre Under The Stars, led by Hillary Hart, for offering reVision youth complimentary access to productions and acting workshops. A shoutout was earned by Kendall Pierce, daughter of Amy Pierce, who coordinated Christmas gifts and backpacks for reVision youth with support from her employer, BEAR.

The audience was moved by tenor Kenneth Gayle’s performance of “Thankful.” Jeffrey “Bboyjeffro” Louis, a 2024 Olympian, credited reVision with helping him avoid gang life and find success as a professional dancer and University of Houston graduate.

Thanks to the support of Sippi and Ajay Khurana, Jordan Seff, and Melissa Juneau, reVision House was launched, providing emergency and permanent housing, family reconnections, and thousands of meals and haircuts. Additional backing from Susan Boggio, Andrea Bryant, and Bobbi Nau funded reVision’s first girls' soccer team, with Boggio donating $10,000 to sustain the program into 2024.

As the event drew to a close, the 2024 Women of Substance—Lara Bell, Chree Boydstun, The Honorable Theresa Chang, Tena Faust, Melanie Lawson, Tama Lundquist, Marian McClendon, Sneha Merchant, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Leila Perrin, Heidi Rockecharlie, and Jerre Williams—were presented against a backdrop of Warhol-inspired portraits. The striking images, photographed by Gittings under the leadership of Andrew Cordes, were unveiled at a special event hosted by Heidi Turney, general manager of Saks Fifth Avenue.

In total, the luncheon raised more than $300,000 and drew a crowd of more than 350 guests, including Leela Krishnamurthy, Debbie Festari, Kristina Somerville, Jordan Seff, Brigitte Kalai, Sherry Zucker, Donae Chramosta, Laura Davenport, Sidney Faust, Betty Tutor, Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman, Beth Wolff, Rini Ziegler, Phyllis Williams, Dr. Peter Chang, Anne Neeson, Flo McGee, Judy Nichols, Cindy Burns, Bruce Padilla, Aimee Snoots, Sandra Cooper, Alex Blair, Niki Lassiter, Roslyn Bazelle, Philamena Baird, Angela Bryant, Mandy Kao, Marge Lundquist, Roseann Rogers, Ellie Francisco, Franelle Rogers, Zane Carruth, Chris Kase, Renee Logans, Duke Ensell, Suzanne Ebrahimi, Astrid Van Dyke, Kathi Rovere, Marian Harper, Dejon Hawthorne, John Guess, Cheryl Lawson, and Dr. Monica Williams.

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Marian McClendon.

fundraisers galas

Buckle Up

Houstonians go all-in at fall Derby gala supporting seat belt awareness

Kailee Mills Foundation Kentucky Derby fundraiser

Photo by Jacob Power

Kristen Yoho, Deidre Mannion, Edith Fisher, Kristi Campbell, and Dana Koger.

Isn’t the Derby in May?

Photo by Jacob Power

Kristen Yoho, Deidre Mannion, Edith Fisher, Kristi Campbell, and Dana Koger.

That was the initial thought floating through David Mills’ mind when planning this Kailee Mills Foundation (KMF) fall fundraiser. But as the evening unfolded at The Revaire, the theme hit its stride. Just like the Kentucky Derby, the race to save lives isn’t about who finishes fastest.

It’s about staying the course. Agree?

Almost 400 guests dressed in colorful blazers, floral dresses, wide-brimmed hats, and feathered fascinators flocked to the venue for the “Buckle Up Gala: Derby Race to Save Lives,” raising more than $360,000 for seat belt education programs, family assistance, and scholarships. The event honors the legacy of 16-year-old Kailee Mills, who was ejected from a car in 2017 after momentarily unbuckling her seat belt.

Attendees arrived to photo ops with Bubba and Bruce, two very patient horses who posed with revelers. Signature cocktails flowed as guests placed their bets on big board auction items, including a George Rodrigue Blue Dog painting, a 1970 Château Lafite Rothschild, and an over-the-top private dinner by A Fare Extraordinaire.

Co-chairs Christine Johnson and Jody Merritt welcomed the crowd, reiterating the foundation’s mission to turn personal tragedy into purpose. Emcees Caroline Collins of FOX26 and Johnny “Bravo” Holloway kept the pace brisk, as Christian Collins delivered the invocation and a video message from Mayor John Whitmire praised the group’s impact.

Dustin Creager, KMF board chair and first responder to Kailee’s crash, reminded the room why they were gathered. Honorees April Roberts and Lucretia and Kris Jones were recognized, with Roberts sharing how a seat belt saved her husband’s life 27 years ago while on duty in his police car. Matt O’Neill was named Volunteer of the Year, and Impact Speaker Sabrina Runyan recounted the foundation’s role in supporting her family after a devastating crash left her and her young daughters with serious injuries.

But the emotional peak came when Mills asked guests to lift a rose in honor of Kailee’s Angels—victims of fatal car crashes ranging in age from infants to adults in their 40s. Each name was printed on a sheet at every place setting. The silent tribute was a visual reminder of the stakes at hand.

The night wrapped with dancing, more bids, and renewed commitment to the foundation’s life-saving work.

On the scene were David and Wendy Mills, Rebecca Creager, Steve Johnson, Steve Spencer, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Dr. Jacquie Baly and James Craig, Odilia and Owen Conflenti, Angela Hernandez, Ghada Ali, Saula and Paolo Valente, Hershey Grace, Scott Evans, Linda Lorelle and Lou Gregory, Ken Webster Jr., Matt and Theresa May, Brandi and Charles Muras, Tanya and Steven Tondre, Tina and Ed Michael, Jess and Travis Dean, Marie and Rico Cano, Deidre and Brian Mannion, Dana and Jeremy Koger, Kristi and Michael Campbell, Dana and Michael Spencer, Stephanie and Nick Walker, Heather and Dale Shelton, Edith and Adam Fisher, Abby Jones, and Austin Grammer.

fundraisers kailee mills foundation