January / February 2012

Mayor Annise Parker discusses challenges of first & second terms

Houston Mayor Annise Parker began serving her first term in January 2010 and has just been re-elected to serve a second term. Prior to her election as mayor, Parker served as city controller for six years and as a member of city council for six years.

November / December 2011

September / October 2011

Halloween is right around the corner and for charity event planners Sidney Faust and Cora Sue Mach, that means looking forward to one of their most exciting parties of the year. For the 11th year in a row, the dynamic duo are throwing their Trick or Toy Halloween Party to help collect toys for the Texas Children's Cancer Center's holiday party.

At just 13 years old, footwear designer and entrepreneur Madison (Maddie) Robinson is one of the youngest businesswomen in the greater Houston area. FishFlops is the brand of children's flip-flop sandals that were sparked by Maddie's vivid imagination and her passion for drawing — a talent she has been cultivating since she was a toddler.

Houston Woman Magazine held its Fifth Annual Nominate HER Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, May 24 to honor seven incredible women — all deemed excellent role models. The gala event was held at the La Colombe d'Or Mansion. A capacity crowd of professional men and women attended.

HSPVA graduate and New York-based artist creates "Women of Serenity" for local nonprofit.  Those who walked into the ballroom of the Hilton Americas Houston Hotel on February 24 around noon could not have missed the beautiful clay sculptures of artist Veronica Casares Lee.

Houston Woman Magazine is celebrating its seventh birthday now, and this issue is a salute to the number seven. Readers sound off on why the number seven holds special significance to them.

On the cover: Claire Hart-Palumbo

Claire Hart-Palumbo has spent 33 years helping to build theater in Houston. 

On the cover: Gwen Emmett

Wife of Harris County Judge talks candidly about her life and how she handles hurricanes and whirlwinds of activity.

On the cover: HER Award Recipients

Seven amazing women, all deemed excellent role models, were honored on May 21 at Houston Woman Magazine's Fourth Annual Nominate HER Awards Luncheon.

On the cover: Renu Khator

Renu Khator holds the dual titles of chancellor of the University of Houston System and president of the University of Houston. She is the UH System's first woman chancellor and the first Indian immigrant to head a comprehensive research university in the U.S. She assumed her post in January 2008.

On the cover: Nelda Luce Blair

Nelda Luce Blair is not a mayor, or even a councilmember, although she has many of the same responsibilities in her role as chairman of The Woodlands Township Board of Directors.

On the cover: Mandy Kao

Never underestimate the power of a turtle. Just ask Titan Management co-owner, community leader and philanthropist Mandy Kao. Born in Hong Kong, the self-described "mischievous prankster" sneaked out of her parents' condo to meet friends on the building's rooftop and started her first business.

On the cover: Chevron: Powering Human Progress

Global leader Chevron has a commanding presence. The oil and gas giant is the country's second-largest integrated energy company and among the world's largest corporations. 

On the cover: HER Award Recipients

The Third Annual Nominate HER Awards Luncheon was held June 25 at the Hotel Icon in downtown Houston. The big event, sponsored by Houston Woman Magazine, honored seven women in seven different categories. Each was deemed an Excellent Role Model for the way she lives her life.

On the cover: Elsie Huang

After six years of service, Elsie Huang is retiring as president of the Asian Chamber of Commerce of Houston. Her successor will be Rogene Calvert who takes over June 15. Huang joined the Chamber as executive director shortly after retiring as a elementary school principal. But, shortly after taking on the job, the Chamber's board realized the incredible work she was doing and changed her title to president.

On the cover: Roberta Harris

Chaotic expression drifts into harmony and peace. Discordant black and white squares slowly blossom into geometric patterns tinted with muted ochre and pinks, emblazoned with soft-petal roses and gentle green leaves. And, according to the artist who created this collage-painting, it's an artwork that contrasts the turmoil and inner solitude – through a churning range of emotions – that women face daily.

On the cover: Year of No More Excuses

Houston Woman Magazine has declared 2009 the Year of No More Excuses and challenged readers to make the next 12 months the best and most empowering time of their lives. We asked readers to tell us about their goals and good intentions. Some of their comments are printed here. Others will be included in Houston Woman Magazine over the next 12 months.

On the cover: Lois Konnos

With a spirited personality and a thirst for closing the deal, Lois Konnos, president and CEO of Carnival Booking, Inc. has created the largest independent carnival booking agency in the country. Founded in the early 1990s, Carnival Booking, Inc. has earned an enviable reputation – one that's dedicated to excellence and the highest of standards. In this issue, you will read about Lois Konnos and how she took a once-shady industry to a whole new level respectability.

On the cover: HER Award Recipients

The Granduca Hotel was the scene recently of Houston Woman Magazine's Second Annual Nominate HER Awards Luncheon, when eight amazing women were honored for being excellent role models. All were nominated in different categories by readers of Houston Woman Magazine and selected by members of our staff. Honorees and the awards.

On the cover: Donna Sollenberger

Baylor College of Medicine is building a new hospital, and Donna Sollenberger has returned to Houston to serve as CEO. She's excited about the opportunity to plan a hospital from the ground up - one that is embedding personalized care for patients into its delivery system. 

On the cover: Houston's 50 Most Influential Women of 2008

Several hundred readers of Houston Woman Magazine answered thecall last winter for nominations for Houston's 50 Most Influential Women for 2008. As a result, nomination forms flowed in, and HWM staffers were kept buy for weeks and weeks going through the mail and reading about so many worthy candidates. Ultimately, the staff made the final selections from among those nominated.  In this issue, Houston's 50 Most Influential Women of 2008 are profiled.

On the cover: Reliant Energy

A successful career is all about balance: the process of juggling career and company goals with the demands of personal and family life. And when a company's culture recognizes that balance with a strong respect for each individual, the result is powerful. It's a corporate culture that Houston-based Reliant Energy is proud to call its own. To highlight the energy giant's progressive hiring, development and promotion policies – and how they affect women and diversity – Houston Woman Magazine interviewed four women executives at Reliant: Donna Benefield, Tracy Carmen-Jones, Suzanne Kupiec and Karen Taylor.

On the cover: Jo Casady

When it comes to stepping up its business, one company – Prudential – is looking for a few good men and women! And, leading the local recruiting effort for new financial planners and licensed sales professionals is Jo A. Casady, a take-charge woman with 22 years experience in wealth management.

On the cover: Pamela Wright

Pamela Wright combines her passion and expertise in designing jewelry with her savvy in appraising valuables and estate property. And for Wright, an accredited appraiser of personal property through the International Society of Appraisers, it's a talent she puts to use every day at one of Houston's most successful pawn shops.

On the cover: Georgianna Nichols

Georgianna Nichols looks back upon her career with a broad smile. What started with an unnerving move to Houston in the 1970s, a resume in hand and an unbridled work ethic resulted in her reaching the top of the corporate ladder in a "real man's world." But now, Nichols, President and Chief Operating Officer of CenterPoint Energy is retiring.