HOUSTON WOMAN MAGAZINE HOSTS CELEBRATION DINNER AND RELEASES KEEPSAKE EDITION FEATURING HOUSTON’S 50 MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN OF 2025

HOUSTON, Texas (April 1, 2026) – Houston Woman Magazine recognized Houston’s 50 Most Influential
Women of 2025 and released its keepsake edition at an invitation-only dinner celebration on
Wednesday, March 25, at the Junior League of Houston.
Family, friends, sponsors, elected officials, and local celebrities enjoyed a reception, three-course
gourmet meal, and lavish Flowers by Nino centerpieces as they saluted the honorees. Alexander’s Fine
Portrait Design captured photos of the event.
“Those selected as Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women of 2025 have earned an enviable reputation for
their expertise in a particular field. They are knowledgeable and credible. The thoughts and actions of
these women influence the thoughts and actions of others. It is our distinct pleasure to introduce these
remarkable women to our readers and to others in our community,” commented Beverly Denver, editor
and publisher of Houston Woman Magazine.
Each honoree was nominated for consideration for the “50 Women of Influence” list by a reader of
Houston Woman Magazine. Houston Woman Magazine staff selected the 2025 honorees from 285
submissions. All 50 honorees for 2025 are listed on Page 2 and Page 3 of this news release.
The Honorable John Whitmire, mayor of the City of Houston, addressed the honorees and their guests
with congratulatory messages. Denver introduced the honorees individually, and Mayor Whitmire
presented a “50 Women of Influence” award to each woman as she came onto the stage.
Since 2009, Houston Woman Magazine has published an annual keepsake edition featuring Houston’s 50
Most Influential Women of the Year. Copies of the keepsake edition featuring Houston’s 50 Most
Influential Women of 2025 were distributed at the event. Copies were also recently mailed to
subscribers of Houston Woman Magazine. To access the online edition via this link:
https://online.fliphtml5.com/lctmo/bwzz/

Houston Woman Magazine Names Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women of 2025

1. Niki Augwuenu, Chief Executive Officer, Career & Recovery Services
2. Parvin Bagherpour. Senior Vice President, Student Support ServicesAmerican Canadian School of
   Medicine
3. Alison Ayres Bell, Executive Director. Heritage Society
4. Michelle Bookout. Chief Nurse ExecutiveH, HCA Houston Healthcare’s Gulf Coast Division
5. Laurie Bricker, Former President, Houston HISD Board of Trustees, Advocate for Educational Policy
6. Angela Canas, Associate Vice President, Cricket Sales & Distribution, AT&T
7. Alicia Cantrell, Executive Director, Coalition Por/For Texas, President, Magic Circle Republican
   Women’s Club
8. Twila Carter, Council Member At-Large, Position 3, City of Houston
9. Leila Cartier, Executive Director, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
10. Rachel Cevallos de Gonzales, President, Identity Plus, LLC, President, LULAC Council 60
    Director, LULAC District 8
11. Sara Donatto, Assistant Vice Chancellor & Assistant Vice President, Office of Government &
    Community Relations, University of Houston
12. Emelda Douglas, Sr Vice Pres, Community Affairs, The Astros, and Executive Director, The Astros
    Foundation
13. Barbara Duganier, Board Member, CenterPoint Energy
14. Luz Flores, Executive Director, Avance-Houston, Inc.
15. Kelly Fox, Executive Vice President for Operations, Finance & Support, Rice University
16. LaTonya Goffney, Superintendent of Schools, Aldine Independent School District
17. Sara Hallam, Educator, Logos Preparatory Academy, Co-Chair, Steering Committee, Women’s
    Initiative of United Way of Greater Houston
18. Angelica Hernandez, Partner, Linebarger Attorneys At Law, Board Member, Catholic Charities
19. Lharissa Jacobs, Founder, Fit Houston
20. Cookie Joe, Founder, Co-Owner & Artistic Director, Cookie Joe Dancin’ School
21. Nicki Keenan, Chief Operating Officer, Fertitta Entertainment, Inc.
22. Sonja Kostich, Executive Director, Houston Ballet
23. Ann Hauser Laufma, Owner & President, ALA Financial Group, LLC
24. Dr. Bora Lim, Translational Lead, Department of Breast Medical Oncology and Morgan Welch IBC
    Cancer Research & Clinic Program @ MD Anderson Cancer Center
25. Dawn Lin, Attorney, Business Owner & Civic Leader, Board Member, Houston First Corporation
26. Kathleen Maca, Author & Historian; Admiral, Texas Navy
27. Naina Magon, Owner & Managing Principal, Hawes Hill & Associates, LLC
28. Ivette Mayo, Founder & CEO, Yo Soy/I Am, LLC, Founder, Power on Heels Fund, Inc.
29. Suzanne Metivier, Executive & Employee Engagement Manager, HP, Inc.
30. Edna Meyer-Nelson, Founder & CEO, The Richland Companies, Founding Director & Board Member,
    Agility Bank
31. Zeenat Kassam Mitha, Professor & Senior Lecturer, University of Houston – Downtown
32. Joan T. Neuhau, President, Marie Bel Fay Fund, Lt. Commander, U.S. Naval Reserve
33. Sandy Le Nguyen, Founder, Ordinary Concepts,(Creators/Operators Saigon Hustle and Sunday Press)
34. Benchawan Painter (Chef G), Owner & Chef, Street to Kitchen (Restaurant in the East End), James
    Beard Foundation Award Recipient
35. Niki Papazoglakis, Founder, Bridge For Public Safety (Bridge 4PS)
36. Dr. Monica Patel, Cardiologist, Memorial Hermann Hospital
37. Maureen Patton, Executive Director, The Grand 1894 Opera House
38. Kristina Perez, Director of Development, Houston City College Foundation
39. Katie Pryor, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Greater Houston Partnership
40. Annette Ramirez, Tax Assessor/Collector & Voter Registrar, Harris County
41. Tracie Renfroe, Managing Partner, Houston Officer, Kay & Spalding, LP
42. Heidi Helton Rockecharlie, Managing Director, Rockecharlie & Company, Past President, Houston
    Symphony League
43. Heather Rowell,Founding Principal, HR Design Department
44. Dr. Ruth J. Simmons, Distinguished Presidential Fellow, Rice University; Advisor to President. Harvard
    University
45. Jackie St. Germain, Director of Marketing & Business Development, UT Health Houston Behavorial
    Sciences Campus
46. Christa Stoneham, President & Chief Executive Officer, Houston Land Bank
47. Jen Torres. Senior Executive Director, March of Dimes Texas
48. Vonn Tran, Director, Planning & Development, City of Houston
49. Stephanie Tsuru, Entrepreneur and Public Speaker, Co-Founder, SheSpace
50. Sinda Vanderpool, President, University of St. Thomas