As Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief of Staff at BMC Software, Michelle Carbone is a trailblazer in driving operational excellence through the power of people, processes, and technology. As a key member of Houston-based BMC’s executive leadership team, she oversees value creation across the entire customer lifecycle including revenue operations, shared services, and…
Patricia Cantu is an Assistant Chief with the Houston Police Department, the fifth-largest municipal police department in the United States. She is a native Houstonian growing up in Houston’s East End and graduating from Stephen F. Austin High School. Her law enforcement career began with the Harris County Sheriff’s Department in 1991 serving through 1999….
Maxine Buckles is Port Houston’s first Chief Equity Officer. She was appointed after Port Houston established the Business Equity Division and launched its Minority and Woman-Owned Business Enterprise Development Program (MWBE) which complements the existing Small Business Enterprise Development Program (SBE). Maxine is responsible for the implementation and administration of supplier diversity, equity, and training…
Susanne Brady-Lusk is the Vice President and General Manager of Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages. Susanne has 13 years of experience in the Coca-Cola system as Key Accounts Manager, Area Sales Manager, Houston Market Unit Director of Small Stores, and Vice President of West Texas Market Unit. Susanne began her career 32 years ago at…
Dr. Antrece L. Baggett, a fourth-generation educator and domestic violence advocate, is the Houston Community College, Southeast College interim college operations officer. She oversees the Southeast College’s budgets, facilities, and business office. She has served HCC since 1995 in a variety of positions including faculty, Director of Africana African American and Women and Gender Studies…
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sofia Adrogué immigrated to the United States at the age of eight arriving in Boston at Logan Airport with her family and 14 suitcases, speaking little to no English. Funded by a $5,100 grant from the World Health Organization, in pursuit of the American Dream, her parents raised all five children…
Sallie Alcorn was elected to Houston City Council in December 2019. As an at-large council member, she works on broad policy issues – city finances, public safety, flood mitigation, transportation, mobility, infrastructure, environment, and parks and greenspace. Sallie launched the city’s first budget survey, YOUR TWO CENTS in 2020, aimed at increasing resident engagement and input in…
Carolanda Bremond Woodgett has practiced law for over 18 years and is currently the Associate Vice President and General Counsel ad interim at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (“UTMB”), a public academic health science center in Galveston, Texas, and the oldest medical school in Texas. In this role, Carolanda leads a team…
Dr. Christie Whitbeck became superintendent of Fort Bend ISD, the 8th largest district in Texas, in September 2021. She previously served as the superintendent of Bryan ISD and the deputy superintendent of Fort Bend ISD. She is regarded statewide as an award-winning, consensus-building leader. She has served on numerous state committees to support public education in Texas.After returning…
Merinda Watkins-Martin is a Houston native who was born and raised in Acres Homes. She is a graduate of Rice University. Merinda has been actively involved in the community for decades. She began volunteering during her time at Rice when she founded and managed a tutoring program, Knowledge Club, for Osborne Elementary and Wesley Elementary….