A Substantive Luncheon for Women of Substance at the Seventh Annual Luncheon

A Substantive Luncheon for Women of Substance at the Seventh Annual Luncheon

For the seventh year, creator and producer Paul-David Van Atta launched his annual Women of Substance Luncheon to great fanfare. This fun-filled afternoon is always a highlight of the year as social citizens gather to honor twelve women whose lifetime of giving is legendary. This luncheon was no exception, as more than 420 guests assembled inside the Post Oak Hotel ballroom to raise more than $500,000 for Houston reVision.

The festive occasion began with welcoming remarks by Van Atta, who brought Reverend Mary Gracely to the stage for the invocation. Deborah Duncan, host of Channel 11’s Great Day Houston and Ernie Manouse, Channel 8’s popular telecaster, divided the emcee duties and introduced chairpersons Sippi Khurana, M.D. and Amy Pierce. Presenting Sponsor, The Mach Family, whose matriarch Cora Sue Mach received the “Lifetime of Substance” award, was acknowledged with heartfelt accolades from best friend and former honoree Sidney Faust. Top donors receiving applause were Sippi and Ajay Khurana, Amy and Rob Pierce, Jordan and Dylan Seff, Stephanie Tsuru, Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman, Laura and Ned Davenport, Memorial Hermann, April and Wells McGee, Susan D. Sarofim, Paula Sutton and Bill Gross and Rini and Edward Ziegler.

Eileen Lawal received the “Spirit of Substance” award and, in traditional fashion for this honor, was presented with the trademark “Angel Glass Sculpture,” created by famed glass artist Bill Meek.

Charles Rotramel, CEO of Houston reVision, then shared the organization’s shared vision and mission and thanked everyone as this event’s proceeds for the next three years will help fund its works.

The time finally arrived for the twelve honorees to be presented to profound applause. As they made their way forward, Pop-Art, Warhol-style portraits of the honorees, photographed by Gittings under the leadership of Andrew Cordes, graced the stage backdrop. Thanks to Saks Fifth Avenue General Manager Heidi Turney, the original framed images were exhibited at Saks Fifth Avenue. Taking bows for their lifelong civic contributions were Gina Bhatia, Laura Davenport, Elsie Eckert, Debbie Festari, Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman, Kathy Givens, April McGee, Jordan Seff, Elizabeth Stein, Paula Sutton, Stephanie Tsuru and Rini Ziegler.

The presentation was followed by an exceptional vocal performance by fourteen-year-old St. Francis student Shaan Khurana (son of chairperson Dr. Sippi Khurana), who sang “You Raise Me Up,” which brought down the house! Paul-David Van Atta surprised this talented young man with the inaugural “Youth of Substance” Award.

Charitable appeals often consist of a tricky combination for success. Combining a great idea and perfect timing will undoubtedly help the dollars flow. This event was such an appeal. Supporters Ajay Khurana, Honoree Jordan Seff and Melissa Juneau each contributed $20,000 for this effort. A Girls Soccer Team was the next “ask” and Andrea Bryant, Bobbie Nau and Susan Boggio led this effort’s success. A $10,000 Match Grant Challenge was the last up for appeal. Penny Loyd started the ball rolling, and soon this too was completed … and then some! Honorable Bill King began the live auction, which included a Valentino Shoulder Bag, a Gittings 24×30 “Warholesque” Pop-Art Portrait, a Martha’s Vineyard Dream Vacation (donated by Gregg Harrison, which sold twice), and much more.

Hats off to florist Nino Shbeeb, whose company, Flowers by Nino, created centerpieces of giant roses, which all attendees admired.

In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned):  Kelly Anzilotti, Rachel and Jeff Bagwell, Philamena Baird, Dr. Devinder Bhatia, David Batagower, Cheryl King, Donna Chapman, Andrew Cordes, Dr. Yvonne Cormier, Suzanne Ebrahimi, CC and Duke Ensell, Tena Faust, Elaine Finger, Maria Anna Galitizine, Gayla Gardner, Diane Gendel, Hillary Hart, Betty and John Hrncir, Mady Kades, Brigitte Kalai, Leela and Nat Krishnamurthy, Dina Lawal, Kase Lawal, Frann Lichtenstein, Kelley Lubanko, Tama Lundquist, Carmen and Butch Mach, Joella and Steve Mach, Lenny Matuszewski, Marian McClendon, Flo McGee, Wells McGee, Sneha and Nick Merchant, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Denise Monteleone, Bobbie Nau, Perri Palermo, David Peck, Warner Roberts, Heidi Rockecharlie, Regina Rogers, Dominique Sachse, Jacob Stein, Laura Stein, Stacey Swift, Ileana Trevino, Frank Tsuru, Elaine Turner, Betty Tutor, Astrid Van Dyke, Barbara Van Postman, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Phyllis Williams, Beth Wolff, Cynthia Wolff, Edward Ziegler, Sherri Zucker