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

Houston reVision CEO Charles Rotramel and 2024 U.S. Olympian Jeffrey "Bboyjeffro" Louis.

fundraisers galas

Sky’s The Limit

Hot air balloons lift spirits at Houston mental health nonprofit's gala

Photo by Dave Rossman

Co-chairs Will and Caroline Brown; Virginia and Cramer Williams.

With dreamy hot air balloons drifting overhead and a mission firmly grounded in impact, Communities In Schools of Houston’s Soaring to New Heights Gala lifted off at The Post Oak Hotel on April 9. More than 550 guests gathered for an evening that paired playful elegance with a powerful purpose: Raising $603,000 to support local students navigating real-world challenges both inside and outside the classroom.

Photo by Dave Rossman

Co-chairs Will and Caroline Brown; Virginia and Cramer Williams.

Co-chaired by Caroline and Will Brown and Virginia and Cramer Williams, the evening honored longtime Communities In Schools champion Jan Redford, whose 46-year commitment to the organization was celebrated with warmth and gratitude. Guests began with a spirited cocktail hour before moving into the grand ballroom for dinner and a program emceed by Lisa Malosky.

The mood was celebratory, but the message was clear: Communities In Schools is a lifeline for students. CEO Lisa Descant emphasized the organization’s impact across 135 campuses and its role as the largest provider of school-based mental health services in Harris County, reaching more than 143,000 students each year.

Special guest Linda Gale White, former First Lady of Texas and a steadfast Communities In Schools supporter, was on hand, as was Joseph Patty of Chapelwood United Methodist Church, who offered a blessing.

The program featured moving testimonials from staff and students. Mandy Kolbaba, Madison Wimmer, Alma Nava, Melody Hall, and Julia Barnwell-Joseph shared stories of academic triumphs, emotional resilience, and transformational support. Standout moments included Marisabel, once homeless and now college-bound for psychology, and Joshua, a Lone Star College graduate heading to UH with an eye on politics.

Funds raised will help the organization continue surrounding students with the community and care they need to thrive in school and beyond.

Present were Omar Reid, Bob Gower, Judy Tate, Margot Cater, Bill Kroger, Pat Rosenberg, Cody Biller, Jennifer Espey, Allison Gower, Maynard Holt, Suzie Johnson, Deanna Jones, Cathy Malone, Cassie Milam, Jill Ramshaw, Brian Salazar, David Sambrooks, Suzanne Stiles, William Walker, Elizabeth Young, Diana and Russell Hawkins, Terri Lacy and Jim Baird, Ginny and L.E. Simmons, Sue White, and many more.

communities in schools fundraisers