Society-Maven Chairs Tickled Pink with Record-Breaking Raffle, Lunch at Post Oak Hotel

Jacob Power and Daniel Ortiz
Society-Maven Chairs Tickled Pink with Record-Breaking Raffle, Lunch at Post Oak Hotel

Tena Faust, Sue Smith, Tama Lundquist

AN IMPRESSIVE CROWD of 650 ladies who lunch turned up at the Post Oak Hotel to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society. The “Tickled Pink” affair was a resounding success, breaking attendance and fundraising records for the event while generating support for survivors and caregivers.


Chairs Jacquie Baly, Beth Wolff and Cynthia Wolff — along with honorary chair, breast-cancer survivor Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman — hosted a pretty, pink-ified program that included a keynote address by physician Arif Kamal, the chief patient officer for the ACS, and a standing ovation for Houston women who have made a philanthropic impact, particularly in the cancer space.

A sold-out raffle and sale of bottomless Champagne glasses contributed to the afternoon’s total till of nearly $400,000. Way to think pink!

Paulina Padilla, Christy Lynn, Courtney Harmon, Marilyn Bailey

Patrice Hagans, Teresa McClelland-Thomas, Annie Thomas, Natalie Robinson

Bobbie Nau and Ellie Francisco

Betty Hrncir, Judi McGee, Elsie Eckert, Saula Valente, Heidi Turney

Patty Murphy and Cheryl Byington

Courtney Zavala, Kate Robinson, Roz Pactor, Paulina Padilla

Cythia Wolff and Jacquie Baly

Diane Nicolaou, Shelley Boyer, Lisa Mary Martin

Roslyn Bazzelle

Hollie Kleitz, Cynthia Wolff, Rose Mackercher

Jenny Todd, Nora Jarrad, Whitney Lawson

Melissa Reihle, Beth Muecke

Stephanie Tsuru, Lisa Graham-Garza

Tiffany Halik, Karen Remington, Lesha Elsenbrook

Parties
Leadership in Action: John Kuykendall Traded Newcaster Dream for Success in Luxury Retail

John Kuykendall, Showroom Manager, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove

How did you get to where you are today? Growing up I had envisioned myself as a news anchor, living in NY and enthusiastically saying into the camera “Good Morning America!”. To this day, I am still a news/political junkie. My mother owned fur salons so specialty retail, luxury retail was in my blood through the family business. Eventually, mom shuttered the stores and I was recruited to a large specialty retailer. Over the next 30 years, I was in commissioned sales on the sales floor, became a department manager, worked my way up to buyer and store manager. Although I never became a newscaster, I did live in NYC for a few years. But Texas is home and with aging grandparents, I felt the pull to come back to my roots. A headhunter approached me. I never envisioned myself in the high-end appliance market, but there are so many similarities. Clients want a memorable experience; whether shopping for diamonds and fur or remodeling their kitchen.

Keep Reading Show less

What year was your organization launched? Founded in Houston in 1947, as the Cerebral Palsy Treatment Center, the organization provided services to individuals with disabilities living in Houston and Harris County. In 1989, the organization changed its name and greatly expanded its services to meet the needs of its clientele. Today as Easter Seals Greater Houston, the organization provides multiple outstanding service programs to children, adults, veterans, and service members with all types of disabilities and their families in Harris and sixteen surrounding counties.

Keep Reading Show less

How did you get to where you are today? My journey to where I am today is built on a foundation of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Every step along the way, I faced obstacles, but I approached each one with determination and a “never give up” mindset. Instead of being discouraged by challenges, I used them as opportunities to grow and improve. Consistency was key—I committed to showing up and giving my best effort every day. I also learned not to take “no” as a final answer. Instead, I saw it as a chance to push harder, adapt, and find another way forward. It’s this combination of persistence, resilience, and unwavering focus that has brought me to where I am today.

Keep Reading Show less