Governor Abbott Announces Appointment Of 15 To Governor’s Commission For Women
Governor Greg Abbott today announced the appointment of Estela Avery, Tina Yturria Buford, Jennifer Chiang, Starr Corbin, Alejandra De la Vega-Foster, Debbie Gustafson, Karen Harris, Amy Henderson, Nancy Ann Hunt, Karen Manning, Imelda Navarro, Rienke Radler, Jinous Rouhani, Catherine Susser, and Laura Koenig Young to the Governor's Commission for Women for terms set to expire on December 31, 2017. Additionally, Governor Abbott named Catherine Susser as chairman and Alejandra De la Vega-Foster as vice chairman of the commission.
Since 1967, the Governor's Commission for Women has served as a liaison between Texas women and government agencies, as well as private entities addressing women's needs. The Commission helps women identify information and services best suited to their needs, as well as find solutions to emerging issues facing women.
"Empowering women is critical for families, communities and the State of Texas," said Governor Abbott. "The 15 commission members reflect the incredible strength and diversity of women leaders in the Lone Star State. It is my privilege as Governor to work by their side."
Additionally, Governor Abbott announced the Commission will be restructured to focus on increasing opportunities in five key areas:
- Women-owned businesses
- Education through STEM
- Volunteerism
- Women and children's health
- Women Veterans and service members
Estela Avery of Fredericksburg is the executive director of the San Antonio River Foundation. Previously, she was a consultant for Bacon Lee and Associates. Prior to that, Avery owned The Gypsy Wagon Gift Shop in Fredericksburg. She began her career as a registered nurse. She worked as an ICU nurse at the Nix Hospital in San Antonio and later a nurse in the surgical unit at the Kerrville VA Hospital. Avery is a member of Impact San Antonio, Rotary Club of San Antonio, Association of Fundraising Professionals and the National Parks Conservation Association. She is also the president of the Nursing Advisory Council at the University of Texas School of Nursing. She has previously served as a board member for the San Antonio YMCA and KLRN. Avery graduated as a registered nurse from the San Antonio College of Nursing. She also attended the Institute for Charitable Giving for non-profit training.
Tina Yturria Buford of Harlingen is the education project manager for the East Foundation developing natural resource education programs for South Texas youth. Previously, she worked alongside her family at the H. Yturria Land and Cattle Company. Buford serves as the vice president of Texan by Nature, president of the Texas Wildlife Association Foundation, board member for Sand County Foundation, committee member for the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and advisory board member for the Texas Ag Land Trust. She has previously served as the president of the Texas Wildlife Association. Buford earned a Bachelor of Science in Rangeland Ecology and Management from Texas A&M University at College Station. She received a certificate in Ranch Management from the Texas Christian University School of Ranch Management.
Jennifer Chiang of Sugar Land is an attorney and owner of Chiang Law Firm, P.L.L.C.. Prior to starting her own firm, she worked at several Houston area law firms. Currently, she serves as an Associate Judge for the Sugar Land Municipal Court. Chiang is active in the community serving as a board member for the Fort Bend Young Lawyers Association, board member for the Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation, board member for Sugar Land Skeeters Foundation, board member for the Fort Bend County Museum Association, member of the Fort Bend Bar Association and lifelong member of the Chinese Baptist Church in Houston. She formerly served as a commissioner on the City of Sugar Land Charter Commission and the Fort Bend County Truancy Commission. Chiang and her husband who is a former Captain in the United States Army and veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom are active advocates for disabled veterans. In 2014, Chiang was named “40 under 40: Fort Bend’s Rising Stars” by the Fort Bend Business Journal. Chiang earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in economics and Master of Business Administration in finance and international business from the University of St. Thomas. She earned a Juris Doctorate at the University of Houston Law Center.
Starr Corbin of Georgetown is an information technology consultant for Capgemini. Prior to that, she was a senior IT manager for the University of Texas at Austin. She began her career serving honorably in the Unites States Army as a Signal Officer. She served with the First Cavalry Division and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Baghdad, Iraq. Corbin is the former co-founder of the Student Veteran’s Association at UT-Austin. Corbin earned a Bachelor of General Studies from Texas Christian University and Master of Arts in Women Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently a Master of Business Administration candidate for graduation in 2017 at the University of Texas at Austin.
Alejandra De la Vega-Foster of El Paso is CEO of Almacenes Distribudores de la Frontera. She is a board member of Franklin Mountain Star Sports Group LLC, board member for Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey-Ciudad Juarez Campus, member of Young Presidents’ Organization, and member of Consejo Estatal de Seguridad for the State of Chihuahua Mexico. She also serves as a board member for MD Anderson Board of Visitors, board member for The Hospitals of Providence, board member for the Texas Conference for Women, secretary for La Rodadora Children’s Museum in Juarez, Mexico, board member for the FEMAP Foundation, chairman of the Cuidad Juarez Security Task Force, and board member for BBVA Bancomer SA. She is co-owner of the “El Paso Chihuahuas” which is a Triple-A baseball team and affiliate of the San Diego Padres and president of FC Juárez “Los Bravos” which is a Mexican Division 1A soccer team. De la Vega-Foster earned a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering from Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education in Monterrey, Mexico.
Debbie Gustafson of Wichita Falls is a community volunteer and philanthropist. Gustafson has served as the former secretary of First Presbyterian Church of Wichita Falls Foundation, former member of the Junior League of Wichita Falls, board of directors member for Christ Home Place Ministries, board member for the Wichita Falls Ballet Theatre, and former deacon at First Presbyterian Church. Gustafson earned a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Southern Methodist University.
Karen Harris of Lakehills is the owner and CEO of Proton Mechanical Systems which provides delivery of radiology medical services. She and her husband have owned and operated radiology medical service businesses in Texas for more than 25 years. Harris is the Chaplin for Safe Harbor Compliance, founder of Medicine for the Heart Ministries, Inc., and a prayer ministry team leader at Summit Worship Center. She is a former gubernatorial appointee to the Health and Human Services Council. She has also served as an appointee to the advisory committee to the Texas Education Agency for Academic Achievement Distinction. Harris earned an Associate of Science in radiologic science from Virginia Commonwealth University - Medical College. Additionally, she is an ordained minister with training in Christian counseling from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and the Therapon Institute.
Amy Henderson of Amarillo is a commercial loan officer with a focus on small businesses with Amarillo National Bank. Henderson is a board member for the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce Business Council, board secretary for Window on a Wider World, member of the Risk Management Association, board member on the WT Enterprise Center advisory board and member of the Independent Bankers Association of Texas. She is the past board president for the Texas Panhandle Regional Development Corporation. Henderson also served honorably in the United States Air Force as an Information Management Specialist during 1989 – 1993 and supported Operation Desert Shield/Storm. She was one of the 2009 Top Twenty under 40 award recipients by the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce and was selected as the 2010 Business Woman of the Year by the Amarillo Chamber Women’s Council. Henderson earned an Associate in Accounting from Amarillo College and a Bachelor of Arts in Finance from West Texas A&M University. She is currently pursuing a Master in Business Administration in General Business from West Texas A&M University.
Nancy Ann Hunt of Dallas is a community volunteer. Hunt is currently serving as a board member for several organizations including the Boy Scouts of America, C.C. Young, Conference on Crimes Against Women (Dallas), Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support, New Friends New Life, and the Austin Street Center. She is also an active member of the United Methodist Church. She has been honored with numerous awards for her community involvement and volunteer service – including lifetime memberships in both the Richardson Independent School District PTA and the Texas PTA. Hunt earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Southern Methodist University.
Karen Manning of Houston is a staff pharmacist for Walgreens. Prior to this position, she served as a pharmacist-in-charge and manager for many years at Walgreens. She is a licensed preceptor and mentors students. Manning is currently a member of the Houston Association of Realtors and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She has previously served as board secretary of the Houston Museum of African American Culture and board member for Project Row House. Manning earned a Bachelor of Science in pharmacy from Texas Southern University.
Imelda Navarro of Laredo is president of International Bank of Commerce – Laredo. She is a current board member for Mercy Ministries Development Council. Navarro has previously served as a director for the Laredo Chamber of Commerce, president of the Texas A&M International University Alumni Association, president of the Domestic Violence Coalition, president of the Laredo Commission for Women, president of the Laredo Business Professional Women’s Association, chairman of the Laredo Center for the Arts, president of Financial Women International, and advisory board member for Mercy Regional Medical Center. In 2009, Navarro was one of the Top 25 finalists for the Hispanic Business Magazine’s Woman of the Year award. She has also been recognized by Junior Achievement of Laredo and being named a Tejano Achiever by the LULAC Council. Navarro earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Laredo State University.
Rienke Radler of Fort Worth is a community volunteer and philanthropist. Previously, she worked as a physiotherapist in South Africa and the United Kingdom. Radler serves on the executive board of directors for the Texas Ballet Theater, the Fort Worth Pregnancy Center and the Radler Foundation. She is also a group leader at Bible Study Fellowship International. Radler earned a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy from the University of the Freestate in South Africa. She is a native of South Africa and currently resides in Fort Worth.
Jinous Rouhani of Austin is CEO of Austin Area Obstetrics and Gynecology, PLLC (AAOBGYN). Through her efforts and AAOBGYN physicians’ partnership with St. David’s Women’s Center of Texas, the center was recently voted the fifth best place to give birth in America. Prior to that, she served as CEO of Medexecs, LLC., and a number of other large healthcare organizations. Rouhani is currently a mentor for both the St. David’s Healthcare Foundation and the Young Women’s Alliance. She has previously served as an advisor to the Austin Children’s Shelter and the organization Aware, Awake, Alive, and a number of other community programs. She has also participated on the Children of Haiti support team. Rouhani was nominated in 2007 for the Healthcare Hero of the Year award, and in 2015 for the Austin Business Journal’s Best CEO Award. Rouhani earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics, and a Master of Business Administration from St. Edward’s University. Rouhani is a native of Iran, raised in the United Kingdom, and currently resides in Austin.
Catherine Susser of Corpus Christi is a community volunteer and school board member for the Corpus Christi Independent School District (ISD). She has served as chief accountant for Corpus Christi ISD and a senior accountant at Price Waterhouse. Susser is a “Go Red for Women” member of the American Heart Association of Corpus Christi. She also serves as an appointee by Speaker Joe Straus to the Texas Commission of Next Generation Assessment and Accountability. She has previously served as president of the Corpus Christi Charity League and president of the Windsor Park Elementary Parent Teacher Association. Susser earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Public Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin.
Laura Koenig Young of Tyler is president of sales and marketing for Brighton Collectibles, LLC. Young is a member of Fashion Group International, International Council of Shopping Centers and the Harvard Club of Dallas. She is involved in her community as a visionary member of the Women’s Fund, board member for Cancer Foundation for Life, sustainer with the Junior League of Tyler and board member with the East Texas Symphony Orchestra. She has previously served as a board member for the Southern Methodist University Alumni Association and as a board member for the East Texas Communities Foundation. Young earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Southern Methodist University. She also has completed the Owner/President Management (OPM) program at Harvard Business School.