Leadership Houston

Who should be in the room next?

Leadership Houston is beginning recruitment for Class XLVI, and our upcoming Signature Program Information Session is the perfect place for prospective candidates to learn more.

📅 Wednesday, November 4, 2026
📍 United Way of Greater Houston
🕕 Networking with Lite Bites & Refreshments at 6:00 PM
🎤 Program at 6:30 PM

If someone in your network comes to mind, send this their way.
Prospective Candidates can RSVP NOW: https://bit.ly/lhinfosession2728

LH alumni, you can also nominate a future Leadership Houston candidate anytime here:
https://www.leadershiphouston.org/nominate-a-candidate

For questions, comments, or concerns, please contact Wendy Lee, Program Manager, at [email protected].
Help us find the leaders who should experience Leadership Houston next.

Join us in congratulating Daniel Saenz, Class # # , who has been announced as Chair of the SERJobs Board of Directors!

Daniel began his journey with SERJobs on its Programs Committee in 2021 and joined the Board of Directors in 2022. His new role as Chair continues years of intentional service to organizations working to strengthen Houston and expand opportunity.

We are proud to see an LH alum continuing to lead and serve our community.
Congratulations, Daniel!

Read more from SERJobs: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/serjobs-boardofdirectors-leadership-share-7509236842936938496-pGg-/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAADJ4P-8BrtlkeWEEJgcBUU1kUdN6pPVdAqI

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Congratulations to Tonya Knauth, Class # # !

We’re celebrating Leadership Houston Board Member Tonya Knauth as she begins an exciting new chapter as Managing Attorney at Everwood Legal. Everwood Legal brings together Tonya’s established practice and Everything Probate, combining their teams and experience to continue serving Houston-area individuals and families. Learn more here: https://everwoodlegal.com/about/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Tonya currently serves as an At-Large member of Leadership Houston’s Board of Directors, and we’re grateful for the leadership and commitment she continues to bring to our organization and community.

Congratulations, Tonya! 💙

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Happy World Teachers’ Day! 📚
We’re continuing our celebration by looking back at four early Leadership Houston alumni whose careers have helped educate, mentor and prepare generations of leaders.

Judge Joseph “Tad” Halbach, Jr. | Class XII
Judge Halbach taught Trial Advocacy as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston Law Center while building a career centered on law, leadership and public service. judgetadhalbach
https://www.tadhalbach.com/about

Philip Patrick Sun | Class XII
Philip has taught graduate-level courses at Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine, Trinity University and International Islamic University Malaysia, and previously served as an associate professor in architecture and health-focused education. Harris Health
https://www.harrishealth.org/about-us-hh/board/Pages/philip-patrick-sun.aspx

Dr. Paul A. Wagner | Class XIV
Dr. Wagner’s academic career at the University of Houston-Clear Lake has included teaching and scholarship across education, psychology, philosophy and leadership. Iris Publishers
https://adscientificindex.com/i10-index-ranking/?ft_university=11060&page=3

Dr. Zachary Hodges | Class XV
A longtime leader in Houston higher education, Dr. Hodges serves as President of Houston City College Northwest and has helped expand educational opportunities for students across West Houston. Houston City College
https://www.hccs.edu/about-us/colleges/northwest/college-president/

Different fields. Different classrooms. One shared legacy of teaching and leadership. To every educator in the Leadership Houston family, thank you for helping shape the leaders who come next.

Happy World Teachers’ Day from Leadership Houston!
Today we’re looking back through our alumni history to celebrate leaders whose careers have been rooted in teaching, mentoring and supporting students.

📚 Pamela Redd, Class XI
Teacher, instructional leader and school administrator whose career has centered on helping students thrive.
Learn more about Pamela : https://www.zenithlearning.org/who-we-are/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

📚 Laurie Bricker, Class XI
A former teacher who carried her passion for education into public service and educational advocacy.
Learn more about Laurie: https://thebryanmuseum.org/events/my-grandmothers-ring-lecture-by-laurie-bricker?utm_source=chatgpt.com

📚 Cynthia Clay Briggs, Class XII
A former teacher and longtime leader of Communities In Schools of Houston. Cynthia joined CIS in 1979 and later led the organization for decades, helping build systems of support for students throughout Greater Houston. Communities In Schools of Houston
Read more about CIS of Houston's history: https://www.cishouston.org/mission-and-history?utm_source=chatgpt.com

📚 Judge Clarease Rankin Yates, Class XIV
Alongside her legal career, Judge Yates has served as an adjunct professor of law, sharing her knowledge and experience with future legal professionals.
Learn more about Judge Yates: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clarease-rankin-yates-43b08339/

Their paths are different, but the thread is the same: education creates ripples.
To the teachers, professors, mentors, school leaders and student advocates throughout the Leadership Houston community, thank you for continuing to enlighten, empower and engage the generations coming behind you.

Houston, a quick reminder: today is the deadline to register to vote in Texas for the November 3 election.

If you are eligible to vote, take a moment today to register or confirm that your voter registration information is current. Leadership Houston is proud to support clear, nonpartisan civic engagement and help our community stay informed and prepared.

Visit VoteTexas.gov to check your registration status or find voter registration information.

Houston, let’s get .

Here is what to do today:

1. Visit VoteTexas.gov.
2. Check whether you are registered.
3. Review your name and address for accuracy.
4. Register or update your information if needed.

The Texas voter registration deadline for the November 3 election is October 5. If you need to register, complete the application and mail or deliver it to your county voter registrar.

Get started: https://www.votetexas.gov/register-to-vote/

Leadership Houston is a proud Civic Alliance member. This message is strictly nonpartisan and intended for every eligible voter.

From Houston’s history to the places bringing our city together. ⚽🌳🏙️
Class XLV continued our This Is Houston! Learning Session this afternoon at Shell Energy Stadium, home of Houston Dynamo FC and the Houston Dash.

Our Sports, Parks and Destinations conversation brought together leaders helping shape how Houstonians experience their city:
⚽ Jorge Franz, Houston First Corporation
🏟️ Alva Treviño, Harris County Houston Sports Authority
🌳 Lisa Hernandez, Houston Parks Board
🧡 Wade Barrett, Houston Dynamo

Together, we explored the role sports, public spaces, major destinations and community engagement play in building connection and creating a Houston where people want to live, work, visit and belong.
Then Class XLV got to experience one of those destinations firsthand with a behind-the-scenes look at Shell Energy Stadium.

A special thank you to our in-kind sponsors and hosts, POST Houston and Shell Energy Stadium, for helping make today’s experience possible and welcoming Class XLV into two spaces that showcase Houston in very different ways.
And a huge thank you to our This Is Houston! Planning Committee for the time, thought and coordination that went into bringing today together:
Lauren Barrash, Class XLIV
Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca, Class XLIII
Shannon Stokes, Class XLIV
Daniel Yoo, Class XLIV

One city. Countless communities. Endless ways to lead.
This Is Houston! 🤘🏽
Enlighten. Empower. Engage.

Good morning from Class XLV! 🤘🏽

Today, Leadership Houston is diving into the city we call home with our **This Is Houston! Learning Session**.

We kicked off the morning at POST Houston, exploring Houston through its people, history, data and communities. From insights from the **2026 Kinder Houston Area Survey** with Dr. Ruth N. López Turley of Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, to Class XLV project presentations and a look at the **history of Houston’s Six Wards** with Jim Parsons of Preservation Houston, today is all about understanding the forces that have shaped our city and where Houston is headed next.

And because you can’t talk about Houston without getting out and experiencing it, we’re wrapping up our morning with a tour of POST Houston before heading into part two of our day.

Houston is more than a place. It’s people, neighborhoods, history, ideas and possibilities.

**This is Houston. This is Class XLV.**

Enlighten. Empower. Engage.

Another reason to celebrate our LH alumni! 🎉

Congratulations to Tamira Samuel, Leadership Houston Class # # , who has been named a 2026 Governors Circle Distinguished Alumni Honoree by Austin Peay State University.

Tamira serves as Co-Executive Director of The Urban Leaders Fellowship, where her work focuses on developing leaders and strengthening public policy and community engagement capacity. She has built a career spanning education, policy and social impact, carrying the spirit of leadership and service into communities across the country.

We’re thrilled to see Tamira’s impact recognized by her alma mater and proud to count her among the Leadership Houston alumni community.

Congratulations, Tamira! 👏🏽

The Governors Circle Alumni Awards Celebration will take place Friday, October 2 during Austin Peay’s 2026 Homecoming festivities.

Learn more here: https://www.apsu.edu/homecoming/alumni.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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