To mark International Women’s Day, in Texas we are shining the spotlight on seven individuals who have catalyzed change for women and girls.

For 42 years, women across Texas have been honored for outstanding achievements by one of the world’s largest women’s foundations. This year, the Texas Women’s Foundation’s prestigious Maura Women Helping Women Awards and Young Leader Award go to a broad swathe of diverse Texans. Their accomplishments will be honored at this year’s virtual celebration on April 29.

Now, please join us in being among the first to give these women a loud round of Lone Star applause for their dedication, leadership and service to their fellow Texans and beyond.

2021 Young Leader Award Recipients

Diana Mao, Nomi Network, Dallas

Diana Mao, President of Nomi Network, is an abolitionist whose mission is to eradicate human trafficking in her lifetime. A leader in the global movement to abolish slavery, she co-founded Nomi Network, a non-profit organization that raises awareness about human-trafficking and creates economic opportunities for survivors and women at risk. Mao recruited the Nomi Network Board of Directors and Advisory Board. She also established strategic relationships with large corporations while developing Nomi Network into a prominent international organization.

Kim Roxie, Lamik Beauty, Houston

Kim Roxie is the founder & CEO of LAMIK Beauty, a clean beauty brand that caters to multicultural women. After opening her own brick and mortar makeup shop at age 21, in Houston on a $500 investment, Roxie ran that store for 14 years and was the youngest African-American woman to have her products carried in a major department store. In 2019, Roxie pivoted her business and launched LAMIK as an e-commerce beauty company. In 2020, Roxie secured a partnership with an augmented reality company to launch an innovative tech-enabled website that allows consumers to digitally try on cosmetics.

2021 Maura Women Helping Women Award Recipients

Trisha Cunningham, North Texas Food Bank, Fairview

Trisha Cunningham is President and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB), a $200 million nonprofit focused on eradicating hunger in a diverse 13-county service area. It is estimated that almost 900,000 in this area do not know where they will find their next healthy meal. Through direct and feeding partner programs, Cunningham and the NTFB team of 180 employees and thousands of volunteers provided access to 97 million meals in their most current fiscal year. This was 20 million more than their prior year and it exceeded their 2025 goal of 92 million meals five years ahead of schedule.

Jin-Ya Huang, Break Bread, Break Borders, Dallas

Jin-Ya Huang is a social impact, community building, and creative innovator – with a focus on the intersection of social justice, gender equity, and human rights. She is the founder of Break Bread, Break Borders (BBBB), a culinary training social enterprise, empowering refugee women economically through the storytelling of cooking, food and culture. Huang is an expert in sustainable global supply chain, and has over a decade of extensive background in marketing for the Fossil Group, JCPenney, and Neiman Marcus.

Rani Puranik, Worldwide Oilfield Machine, Houston

Revati “Rani” Puranik is the co-owner and global CFO of Houston-based Worldwide Oilfield Machine (WOM). Puranik thrives at leading innovation, empowering others and inspiring collaboration. She directs financial controllership, strategy, investments and enterprise growth for WOM, a privately held, family-owned oil and gas equipment manufacturing firm with more than 3,000 employees operating in 11 locations around the world and over $350 million in annual revenues. Over the course of 15 years, she has developed and implemented the framework for communication, standardization, operations and business development at WOM. 

Judy Treviño, CCVI Ministries, Inc., San Antonio

Judy Treviño serves as the Executive Director for CCVI Ministries, Inc., an international nonprofit organization sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. She has extensive management, governance, and board experience in nonprofit, governmental, and foundation institutions. Treviño’s experience includes managing the day-to-day activities of administration, accounting, operations, strategic planning, and board development.

Cheryl Polote Williamson, Soul Reborn, Flower Mound

Cheryl Polote Williamson is founder and CEO of Soul Reborn, a nonprofit organization that has supported more than 4,500 disenfranchised, under-served and previously incarcerated women. This nationally acclaimed multi best-selling author, award-winning filmmaker and executive producer and success coach is a global leader who has successfully ushered 435 individuals into entrepreneurships. Williamson is also the CEO and Founder of Williamson Media Group, LLC, and Cheryl Polote Williamson, LLC, where her knowledge, expertise, and resources connect others to their purpose.

To learn more about the April 29 Leadership Forum & Awards Celebration event and purchase tickets, visit https://txwfleadership.org/  

Numbers To Note

~ While 52% of all professional jobs are held by women, only 14.6% of executive positions are held by women.

~ It will take until the year 2095 to achieve gender parity in the workplace.

~ 82% of Americans say it’s important for women and men to have the same opportunities for career advancement.

~ 34% say their current workplace puts a high priority on having women leadership positions.

Cover photo courtesy Timon Klauser on Unsplash