2021 Top 30 Most Influential Women in Houston


The Top 30 Women celebrate the accomplishments and giving spirit of hundreds of diverse, influential and powerful women in Houston and the surrounding areas. 

2021 Top 30 Women Nominees

Dr. Janice M. Beal

Dr. Janice M. Beal, is a researcher, clinician, author, and behavioral expert. Her leadership and administrative experiences include President of Beal Counseling Associates, and Beal Behavioral Health…
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Saba Abashawl

As Deputy Director of the Houston Airport System, Saba manages the External Affairs division for Global Industry Relations, Government Affairs and Community Engagement. She leads a variety…
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Talia Alfred

Talia Alfred has always had a knack for logistics and management. You can always count on her to plan an event from start to finish. She loves…
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Marna Arvie

A woman of faith and favor, fueled by the words of Proverbs 31:25, “Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come,”…
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Cindy Clifford

For more than 30 years, Cindy Clifford has been an active force in Houston’s business, civic, and political communities. Combined with her resourcefulness, experience, and can-do spirit,…
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Raynese Edwards

Raynese Edwards is the CEO and Chief Strategy Consultant for OutsideIn Consulting, LLC, an award-winning Public Engagement and Community outreach company. A Houstonian, by way of Joliet,…
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Melinda Faust

Raised in Slidell, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans, Melinda Faust was the 4th of 5 children born to George and Marilyn Faust.  Melinda moved to Houston,…
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Dr. Reagan Flowers

In Dr. Reagan Flowers’ current role as Chief Knowledge Officer for Education Consulting Services, she provides education innovation, diversity and inclusion, and workforce development advisory services to…
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Eureka Gilkey

Eureka Gilkey serves as Executive Director of Project Row Houses (PRH), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people and enriching communities through engagement, art, and direct action…
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Cynthia Ginyard

Cynthia Ginyard is a retired Alief ISD educator, who served as HR-Director of Employee Relations, Principal, Assistant Principal and Speech Language Pathologist.  Upon retirement, she became engaged…
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DeAnna Green

DeAnna Green is the CEO and Founder of Nydan, LLC dba Nydan Real Estate Group (NRG). She is also a licensed Texas realtor. DeAnna hails from North…
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Jenifer Jarriel

Jenifer Jarriel was raised as one of seven sisters who learned early the values of working hard to achieve goals, helping others, and giving back.  She truly…
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Tennille Johnson

Tennille Johnson is a Pharmacist, Community Advocate and Entrepreneur. She is the CEO and founder of Scrubs To The Rescue, LLC and TrxJ Optimum Solutions. Growing up…
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Jamie Jordan

Jamie Jordan is a practicing family law attorney and community service advocate in the Greater Houston area.  A native North Dakotan, she was born and raised in…
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Vivian R. King

Vivian R. King, accomplished in business and law, serves as the Chief of Staff for the HarrisCounty District Attorney’s Office. In her 38 year career, she has…
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Linda Leto Head

Linda Leto Head serves as Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Lone Star College’s Office of External & Employer Relations. Serving more than 90,000 students, Lone Star College…
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Cassie Levy

Cassie A. Levy is the 2nd generation owner of Emmit Moss Trust (EMT), formerly known as  Moss Properties, named after her late uncle Emmit Moss. Ms. Levy’s…
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Amber Mostyn

Amber Mostyn leads a team of smart, tenacious, battle-hardened lawyers who fight for people’s rights. At Amber’s direction, her firm is sharply focused on obtaining justice for…
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Denise Navarro

With an academic and professional career in technology and management that spans over three decades, Denise Navarro has established herself as a respected business leader within the…
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Andrea Nguyen

From a boat refugee fleeing a war-torn country to an award-winning journalist and now a celebrated educator and nonprofit executive, Andrea Nguyen came from a humble beginning…
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Tamla Oates-Forney

Since December 2018, Tamla Oates-Forney has served as Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer of Waste Management Inc. (NYSE: WM). She drives an innovative, people-first strategy…
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Rani Puranik

Co-Owner and Global CFO of Houston-based Worldwide Oilfield Machine (WOM), Rani Puranik, thrives at leading innovation, empowering others and inspiring collaboration.  She directs financial controllership, strategy, investments…
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Linda M. Rhodes

Linda M. Rhodes brings more than 26 years in nonprofit leadership and development to her role as the Executive Director of The Women’s Fund for Health Education…
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Tasha Royal

Tasha Royal is a fiercely independent, confident and ambitious woman who has always been determined to succeed. Armed with courage, passion and a sense of purpose, Tasha…
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Dr. Reem Sabouni

Reem Sabouni, M.D. is a Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) physician and Director of Infertility and Oocyte Cryopreservation at Houston Fertility Institute. As a surgical subspecialist of…
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Tracy Taylor Smith

Driven by a passion for empowering people towards career and economic advancement, in 2006 Tracy Taylor Smith founded Taylor Smith Consulting (TSC), a staffing and professional development…
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Helen Stagg

Helen Stagg is Chief Executive Officer of Change Happens, a community based social service organization in Houston, Texas. Change Happens is one of the largest Black-founded, Black-led…
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Molly Waits

Molly Waits leads Houston Airports’ Marketing, Air Service Development and Communications, MAC, division. She’s a passionate aviation professional with 22 years in the industry, including 16 years…
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Janice Weaver

Christian, humanitarian, and commitment to helping others are all metaphors used when describing Janice Weaver. She is known for her tireless good works in the community. With…
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