Gaynell Floyd Drexler is a corporate attorney and advocate with decades of non-profit and community engagement. A native Mississippian, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Spelman College and a Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law. She is a member of the New York bar and practiced transactional law in Manhattan for several years as an associate with Schulte, Roth and Zabel.
She has served a myriad of causes that impact, sustain, empower and improve the lives of everyday Houstonians in areas spanning social justice to the cultural arts to conservancy. “Houston is a city known for its culture of giving and volunteerism. Whether you are giving back as an individual or a corporation, it remains one of the most inspiring ways to nurture a passion or catalyze and promote positive change in the community”.
Drexler has served on the board of Houston Habitat for Humanity for a decade and as chair from 2015-2017, overseeing a mission to build communities and affordable homes for hardworking Houstonians. She is responsible for driving signature events like SuperBuild LI and the 25th Anniversary Doors Project, leading post-Harvey recovery initiatives, and supporting innovative strategies for meeting crucial housing needs and addressing land rights in Haiti.
Drexler serves on the board of the Buffalo Bayou Partnership, a non-profit spearheading redevelopment and improvements to the Bayou’s greenway system, Houston’s most important natural resource. The Partnership’s ambitious and innovative agenda includes protecting the waterfront for future parks, footpaths, hike and bike trails, increased amenities and access to nature and green space for all Houstonians.
Additionally, recent contributions include serving as a volunteer attorney at the University of Houston’s Immigration Law Clinic, joining the Global Orphan Project in Haiti to advocate and address the post-earthquake orphan pandemic, advocating for the stewardship and maintenance of Evergreen Negro Cemetery in the historic Fifth Ward, co-chairing the 30th anniversary gala for the Community Artists Collective; cochairing the Houston Chapter of Links, Inc. Boots & Bling biennial fundraiser hosting the Ensemble Theater’s gala underwriters and co-chairing the University Museum at Texas Southern University’s biennial fundraiser. Past boards include the Harris County Child Protective Services BEAR Board, the Oregon Ballet Theater, the Pacific NW Region of the NAACP and Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon.
She is an alumni member of Jack and Jill of America and a member of the Houston Chapter of the Links, Inc. Drexler is a proud mother of four: Erica, a licensed counselor and radio host; Austin, a game designer and interactive media artist; Elise, a filmmaker; and Adam, a professional basketball player currently playing overseas.
Corporate Attorney & Advocate
