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  • Participate in quarterly luncheons and a number of professional development events throughout the year that feature leaders of the Houston business community

  • Build a network of advocates through professional development resources

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While the Women's Business Alliance hosts a series of events throughout the year, the program's signature annual gathering is Rise to the Top. This unique event features compelling, candid conversations from outstanding female executives discussing the challenges and triumphs of succeeding as a woman in today's business environment. 
The annual Rise to the Top event features prominent women leading Houston's business community.

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Membership

Houston Female Leaders Gather to Celebrate International Women's Day at 12th Annual Rise to the Top Event

3/10/23
The Partnership’s 12th annual Rise to the Top event convened over 600 attendees this week to hear a dynamic discussion among diverse female leaders on how the Houston region can embrace equity. “Although International Women’s Day was Wednesday, the Partnership continues this global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women by coming together to detail what it means to rise to the top,” Chief Development Officer and Senior Vice President of Member Engagement Katie Pryor said.  Today there are 44 female Fortune 500 CEOs in the U.S., which is up from 41 in 2022. Partnership President and CEO Bob Harvey said the Partnership’s Board of Directors is currently 26% female and the Partnership staff is over two-thirds women. “Houston has made great strides in terms of women represented in leadership positions,” Harvey said, adding female representation must improve. The panelists covered a wide range of topics including juggling priorities with such tremendous responsibilities, how to be change agents for creating inclusive workplaces, and the challenges and triumphs of their personal career journeys.  Katie Pryor served as the moderator for the event’s panel discussion featuring: April Bailey, Regional President, Central Texas, Amegy Bank Dr. Lesia L. Crumpton-Young, President, Texas Southern University Shiva McMahon, Executive Vice President, International Operations, Woodside Energy Maria Rios, President & CEO, Nation Waste Inc. While embracing equity was this year’s theme for International Women's Day, “transformation” was the recurring word during the discussion to describe how we can move equity forward.  “I'm going to encourage us to build upon the equity conversation to transformation," Crumpton-Young said. She applauded the efforts to move the focus from equality to equity but encouraged attendees to push the conversation further by focusing on the transformation aspect and how it can lead to action.   Creating a more inclusive workplace was another topic of discussion. McMahon said we should tap into empathy as we look to support and amplify others. “We have to transform and make the table a lot bigger to make room for more seats – that’s how we can make people feel welcome.”  Other impactful takeaways included the topic of prioritizing, especially as accomplished women in various industries.  Bailey revealed she struggled with anxiety until she finally pursued the help she needed. “People look at you in these positions and they think you have it all together. But we don’t,” Bailey said. Crumpton-Young also reiterated this sentiment, saying “I think I was liberated the moment someone told me that ‘no true balance exists.’” The Partnership is committed to addressing diversity and equity in the Houston business community through the One Houston Together initiative. The second-ever One Houston Together Regional Assessment, which serves as a critical tool for business planning and advancing progress on DEI, launches on April 1. “The regional assessment provides the only local data available that takes an intersectional look at how women and ethnic minorities fare in the Houston workplace,” Harvey said. Rise to the Top is the signature event of the Partnership’s Business Resource Group, Women’s Business Alliance (WBA). To learn more about getting involved, click here or contact membership@houston.org.
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2023 Soirée - Internationally Inspired

Soirée, the Greater Houston Partnership’s annual gala, will celebrate the Houston region's unique tapestry of ideas, industry and influence that positions us among the great global cities of the…

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“As a lifelong Houstonian, I am particularly pleased to be a part of the Partnership and the great work they do for economic growth and development in the City of Houston and surrounding communities.”


Charles McFarland
Attorney, McFarland PLLC

"Becoming a member of the Partnership was one of the best professional decisions I’ve made as a CEO. Even though I’m leading a nonprofit, the ability to cross-pollinate with organizations in various industries is extremely helpful. Interacting and benefiting from the thought leadership in the business community has shown me that they are really tackling the same issues we are facing."


Tracy Weeden, Ed.D.
President & CEO, Neuhaus Education Center

“Greater Houston Partnership, thank you for continuing to be a great resource for information. Very proud to be a member of this organization that so well represents Houston, it's businesses and people.”


Ed Parker
Business Development Manager, Industrial Tax Consulting

"With one of the largest databases of members, [the Partnership] is a wonderful networking resource for me."


Neal Talmadge
BizJournals

"The quality of the programs are top-notched, and because of that, the attendees are top-notched as well. Quality networking is great!"


Anthony Pabillano
PwC

"Businesses who want to get their name out and sales professionals who want to increase their sphere of influence won't find a better organization to connect than GHP."


Lisa Bogany
Workforce Solutions
This program and its benefits are exclusive to Partnership members. Learn more about becoming a company member today.

Ready to become a WBA member that leads into the benefits below?

  • Participate in quarterly luncheons and a number of professional development events throughout the year that feature leaders of the Houston business community
     
  • Build a network of advocates through professional development resources
Marjorie Meier
Sr. Manager, Member Engagement & Business Resource Groups
Events & Programs
E
mmeier@houston.org
P
713-844-3680
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Executive Partners