“Houston’s Most Beautiful” by Warner Roberts-Spring 2026

Photo courtesy of Houston Children’s Charity
Maria Moncada Alaoui is the Porsche Vice President for Sonic Automotive. She is dedicated to giving back to the community with an emphasis on helping children. For the eighteenth year, she has served on the board of Houston Children’s Charity, and for the past twelve years, her former employer, BMW, and current employer, Porsche, have donated a brand-new vehicle for the annual gala auction. Alaoui serves on the advisory council of Altus Global Network and on the board of KnowAutism Foundation. Previously, she served on the board of The Latino Learning Center and supports Bo’s Place, The Lupus Foundation, Houston Food Bank and Houston Texans Foundation. Alaoui credits her husband, Omar, with being her strongest supporter and source of encouragement, along with her amazing stepson, Joseph.

Photo by Dave Rossman
Fady Armanious has loved fashion since he was a young boy. Now, as creative director of the luxury women’s boutique, Tootsies, he attends fashion shows in New York, Paris and Milan to bring the latest fashions back to his faithful Houston clients. Armanious’ life partner is Bill Baldwin, broker and owner of Boulevard Realty, one of Houston’s premier Heights real estate firms. Together, they recently co-chaired the annual Lyndon B. Johnson Moral Courage Award Dinner for Holocaust Museum Houston. When co-chairing the Ballet Opening Night Dinner Onstage, they broke all previous records. The second-floor Health & Wellness Lobby of the Montrose Clinic is named in Armanious’ honor. Baldwin was named “2025 Realtor of the Year” by HAR. He is a board member for numerous nonprofit organizations. The couple cherishes their role as proud fathers to son, Richard and daughter, Ginger. 

Photo by Jacob Power
Debbie and Roger Clemens have dedicated much of their lives to helping others. They founded their organization in 1992 through golf tournaments and silent auctions to support causes close to their hearts, with a special emphasis on underprivileged, at-risk and special-needs children. Baseball icon Clemens, one of the most successful power pitchers in Major League Baseball, won seven “Cy Young Awards.” He is the only pitcher in MLB history to record more than 350 wins and strike out more than 45-hundred batters. In addition to her philanthropic work, Debbie Clemens is a golfer and entrepreneur. Her creative work, putting crystals on denim, became a huge trend. Spending time with their four sons, Kody, Koby, Kacy and Kory, is their first priority. They also love making in-person visits to offer encouragement to those in need.

Photo by Gittings
Shelby Hodge, Society and Lifestyle Editor of PaperCity Magazine and its online site, has chronicled the movements of Houston’s philanthropic community since 1991. Throughout her journalistic journey, Hodge has consistently elevated and enhanced the coverage of charitable organizations in the city. As former Mayor Annise Parker said when honoring Hodge with a “Shelby Hodge Day Award,” “Shelby raises the awareness of Houston cultural arts organizations, medical institutions, charitable organizations and educational causes simply by telling their story.” AIDS Foundation Houston named the “Shelby Hodge Vision Award” in her honor. She describes her husband, architect Shafik Rifaat, as “the perfect dinner partner and party escort. Without his loving and generous support, I would never have lasted so many years in this very busy job.”

Photo by Gittings
Robin and Danny Klaes agree that their highest priority in life has been to be good parents to their three adult children. Also, they are committed to supporting worthy causes. Robin is a former President of the Board of Trustees of Star of Hope and chaired the Trees of Hope Gala, co-chaired Vita Living Houston, chaired Nutcracker Market, Judy’s Mission, Easter Seals Greater Houston, SEARCH, and Avondale House. She is an Advisory Board member for Miller Outdoor Theater. She is a Board Member of American Cancer Society Greater Houston and has co-chaired the last two Cattle Baron’s Balls. In addition to supporting Robin in her projects, Danny is dedicated to supporting his children’s schools, Episcopal High School and River Oaks Baptist School, as well as serving in leadership roles for the Men of Distinction Luncheon. He is CFO of the family-owned holding company.

Photo courtesy of Denman Moody, as featured in The Advanced Oenophile
Denman Moody is one of the most renowned wine writers and lecturers in the country. He started writing about wine in 1978 with a newsletter, Moody’s Wine Review. He has published between 300 and 400 articles on wine in magazines worldwide. In 2012, he published his first book, The Advanced Oenophile, defining “oenophile” as a wine connoisseur and lover. He has shared his knowledge and expertise at numerous charitable events, including wine auctions and wine seminars. Many of these events entail creating food and wine pairings, which he and his wife, Marijo, say are the most fun of all.

Photo by Al Torres
Jo Ann Petersen is a native Houstonian and a former Registered Nurse and Certified Public Accountant. As an RN, she worked in Methodist Hospital’s Neurological Intensive Care Unit. Since retiring as a CPA with PriceWaterhouse, she has devoted herself to charitable endeavors. In 1990, Petersen founded Trees of Hope benefiting Star of Hope, where she served as President, Treasurer and Advisory Board member. With Covenant House, she served as Treasurer, President, Board Member and Gala Chair for three years. As a member of VICTORY, she served as President, Treasurer and co-chair of the Holiday Shopping Card. She co-chaired the Boys and Girls Harbor event and the Gaston LeNotre Gala. She currently serves on the BRASS Board of Directors.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz
Vicki Rizzo and daughter, Mauri Oliver, are the proud owners of More Than You Can Imagine, an upscale designer resale, consignment and accessories boutique—[Think Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton]. Rizzo’s love of fashion came naturally as her grandmother had a successful dress shop in Rosenberg. In high school, while working for a speech pathologist, Oliver determined that she wanted to help children. Today, in addition to her fashion career, she is a Speech-Language Pathologist and her practice covers Apraxia, Articulation and Phonological Process Disorders, Autism, Learning Disabilities, Speech Therapy and other issues. This mother-daughter duo is totally committed to giving back by supporting many charities, from chairing events to hosting in-store events and providing auction items.

Photo by Gittings
After retiring from a 13-year career in Oil and Gas Operations, Jordan Seff has been devoting her time to her husband, Dylan, and her three young daughters and offering development and fundraising support to many non-profit organizations. She is on the executive boards of Houston Ballet, Houston Zoo, Crime Stoppers of Houston and the Nick Finnegan Counseling Center. She has chaired or co-chaired events for Crime Stoppers of Houston, CanCare, March of Dimes and Houston Zoo. Next year, she will co-chair Houston Ballet Ball and Bear/CPS.

Photo by Gittings
Heidi Turney, Vice President and General Manager of Saks Fifth Avenue, has fully immersed herself in the philanthropic community. Her leadership has advanced causes such as Houston Symphony, Houston Ballet, Latin Women’s Initiative, Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation, American Cancer Society, Asia Society, iWRITE, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Citizens for Animal Protection. She serves as a Trailblazer with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and is chairing the KnowAutism Gala in April. Also, she has supported the Italian Cultural & Community Center, Mission of Yahweh, Texas Children’s Hospital, Women of Substance, Crohn’s and Colitis and others. Turney loves spending time with her two children and husband, Barry.