Dallas, Texas -- As part of its ongoing investment in lifecycle leadership development for women and girls, Texas Women’s Foundation hosted a powerful day of leadership, learning and inspiration on May 8 at the Omni Dallas Hotel. From thought-provoking conversations to unforgettable moments honoring trailblazing women and rising young leaders, the day helped support the Foundation’s mission of building #StrongWomenBetterTexas
The day began with #BESTSELF, where nearly 200 students who came together for engaging workshops focused on making smart, informed decisions, navigating the physical and emotional changes of adolescence, and harnessing the power of their voices to create meaningful change. From the interactive learning sessions to networking, dancing, and connecting with peers, #BESTSELF inspired and delighted all in attendance.
In the afternoon, TXWF hosted its annual Leadership Forum – a dynamic masterclass featuring microlearning sessions with the recipients of the 2025 Maura and Young Leader Awards. Author, speaker and 2025 Maura Award recipient Anne Chow kicked things off with a Ted Talk-style “ANNE Talk,” sharing insights from her book Lead Bigger. TXWF Board Director Deborah Hunter Johnson led a ”POWER Panel” discussion on advancing women and girls in STEM with 2025 Maura awardees Dr. Carine Feyten, Dr. Nuripama “Rupa” DeSilva, and Jennifer Bartkowski. Afterward, the crowd was treated to exciting “5 in 5” interviews in which two young students from Irma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School, a Young Women’s Preparatory Network School, asked five “rapid-fire questions in five minutes of TXWF’s 2025 Young Leader awardees Haleigh Jones and Cristal Retana Lule. The Forum wrapped up with some “REAL Talk” between Anne Chow and NBC5 Anchor Deborah Ferguson.
At the Celebration Dinner following the Forum, event co-chairs Debbie Dennis, Chief Customer Officer and SVP Human Resources and Corporate Affairs at Oncor Electric Delivery, and Brooke Hopkins, Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal, welcomed attendees and thanked key partners. ( (See list at the end of the release)*
Texas Women’s Foundation Board Chair Carrie Freeman Parsons greeted event guests, sharing, “With clarity of purpose and your support, we’ve continued to fulfill our mission and grow our impact year over year for the past 39 years.” Carrie also introduced the individuals who nominated the 2025 Young Leader awardees:
- Trey Crawford introduced Haleigh Jones, Crawford, Wishnew & Lang Attorney.
- Maria Mendez introduced Cristal Retana Lule, Children’s Health Vice President of Community Relations.
The Foundation shared a compelling video on the barriers to women’s economic security, stability and success, after which Texas Women’s Foundation President and CEO Karen Hughes White shared, “On average, women make 83 cents on the dollar compared to their male counterparts. This number is much lower for Black and Hispanic women. Based on this, the average Texas woman stands to lose $750,000 in earnings across her lifetime. If this makes you mad, it should! We need to work together to create change.” She invited attendees to support the Foundation’s efforts to advance Texas women and girls and encouraged giving to maximize a $40,000 matching gift. More than $45,000 was raised in the room.
Awards Selection Committee Co-chair and previous Maura Award recipient Brenda Jackson introduced the 2025 Maura honorees and their presenters.
- Kim Lyle introduced Jennifer Bartkowski, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas CEO.
- Mylinh Luong introduced Anne Chow, The Rewired CEO Founder.
- Samantha Barakat introduced Dr. Rupa DeSilva, Parkland Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center Professor.
- Christopher Johnson introduced Dr. Carine Feyten, Texas Woman’s University Chancellor and President.
Former TXWF Board Chairs Caren Lock and Shonn Brown introduced Cynt Marshall,Marshalling Resources Founder and The Dallas Mavericks (retired CEO), who was unable to attend the event.
Dia Wall, WFAA anchor and reporter, hosted a conversation with the 2025 Maura Award recipients who shared their insight on everything from healthcare, to education, the wage gap and increased representation of women and Women of Color in leadership.
Incoming TXWF Board Chair, Cris Zertuche Wong closed out the program by thanking all in attendance and sharing, “Texas Women's Foundation is investing in lifecycle leadership development for women – from the classroom to the boardroom – preparing them to lead in their workplaces, lives and communities. Because we know that when you invest in a woman, she invests in her family and her community! And because we believe that when a woman rises, she lifts everyone around her.”
She invited guests to attend TXWF’s upcoming 40th Annual Luncheon at the Omni Hotel on November 14.
Partners:
Merrill, a Bank of America Company, and Crockett & Associates
Haynes Boone
Oncor
Media Sponsors: D CEO, Dallas Business Journal
#BESTSELF sponsor: Capital One
Additional partners:
Catherine M Coughlin Fund for Women's Leadership of TXWF
Maura McNiel Fund for Women's Leadership of Texas Women’s Foundation
TWU Jane Nelson Institute for Women's Leadership
The Rewired CEO
Marshalling Resources
Southwest Airlines;
and EY
For additional partners and patrons, visit https://txwf.org/join-us/events/lfac-event/
About Texas Women’s Foundation:
One of the largest women’s foundations in the country, Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF) knows that now more than ever is the time to create more equitable communities to build #StrongWomenBetterWorld. TXWF raises funds from a broad base of donors, including individuals, foundations and corporations. These resources support more than $6 million in investments each year that advance economic security and leadership for Texas women and girls through research, advocacy, grantmaking and strategic/educational initiatives. Since its inception in 1985, TXWF has invested nearly $85 million in Texas women and girls.
The Foundation’s statewide research on issues impacting Texas women and girls provides corporate, state and local decision-makers and lawmakers with critical data to inform policies, practices and programs across the state. Its advocacy, grantmaking and educational initiatives support solutions that help Texas women and girls survive and thrive. In addition, Texas Women’s Foundation is an acknowledged leader and advocate in the gender lens investing movement, deploying 100 percent of its invested assets – endowments, operating investments and donor-advised funds – in a gendered impact portfolio that yields strong financial returns and social benefits to women and girls. For more information, visit www.txwf.org, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram or donate now
