Dear Friends, Dress for Success affiliates across the state kicked off the new year at the Governor’s Mansion in Austin. We shared success stories with First Lady of Texas, Cecilia Abbott, who recognized our life-changing work helping female veterans transition into civilian life. Dress for Success Houston (DFSH) is on track to double the number of veterans impacted and place over 50% of the nearly 3,000 women we serve annually, providing them with tools to help them thrive in work and life. Your generosity allows us to continue to meet the increasing need for assistance. Your enthusiastic support during Big Give Houston, coupled with matching gifts from our Board of Directors, raised more than $30,000 in just a few hours! Our volunteers, staff and patrons landed us at the top of the leaderboard in total giving. We are humbled by this kind of recognition, and honored by Dr. Stephen L. Klineberg, founding director of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University. In the Houston Business Journal, Klineberg said: “I know of no other organization in this city that is more effective than DFSH in transforming the opportunities and life trajectories of underserved members of our community.” If you are not yet a supporter of DFSH, I invite you to join us today as a donor, mentor, volunteer or career educator—together we can positively impact countless women, their families and our community. With Gratitude, Nancy Levicki President & Co-Founder SUMMER 2016 A newsletter from Dress for Success Houston ABOVE: Send One Suit Month is an annual success thanks to Presenting Sponsor, Chevron and Clean Sweep Sponsors which underwrite the month-long suit drive effort and special events. Paula Phillips of Houston Chronicle, Wendy Daboval of Chevron, Julie Goff of Phillips 66, Erica Krennerich of Vinson & Elkins, Genora Boykins of Reliant, an NRG company, Pam Jesse of Midway, Maria Lindenberg of Chevron, Cheryl Reed of United, Catherine Kovar of Cameron and Gary Reaves of First Reserve Corporation after receiving awards at Models of Success. BELOW: The Four Seasons Hotel Houston sponsored the 14th annual Corporate Guild Power Breakfast featuring a panel discussion, How to Join a Corporate Board. Mary Bass of Spencer Stuart spoke about her role placing board members, Hillary Holmes of Baker Botts moderated the discussion, Kathleen Hogenson of Zone Oil & Gas, LLC discussed her different directorships, Tom Segesta of Four Seasons Hotel Houston welcomed the Corporate Guild, Nancy Levicki shared agency statistics, Martha Carnes of PwC told the audience about her experience recently joining a public board and Becky Roberts highlighted her experiences on public boards and how her past role as president of Chevron Pipe Line Company prepared her for this next phase of her career. LOWER LEFT: First Lady of Texas Cecilia Abbott hosted our dedicated volunteers for tea in the Governor’s Mansion in April. Karen Bloomfield, Phyllis Thomason, Ellen Levin, Nancy Levicki, Lauren Levicki Courville, Lindsey Norlander and Debbie Klemcke attended the statewide affiliate gathering on behalf of Houston. LOWER RIGHT: Trish Morille, Lauren Levicki Courville, Trini Mendenhall, Eric and Tali Blumrosen, Anne McAllister and Janis Jarosz all joined Nancy Levicki as she was honored as a finalist in Houston Business Journal’s inaugural Women Who Mean Business awards dinner. # BeyondTheSuit
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Dear Friends, Dress for Success affiliates across
the state kicked off the new year at the Governor’s Mansion in Austin. We shared success stories with First Lady of Texas, Cecilia Abbott, who recognized our life-changing work helping female veterans transition into civilian life.
Dress for Success Houston (DFSH) is on track to double the number of veterans impacted and place over 50% of the nearly 3,000 women we serve annually, providing them with tools to help them thrive in work and life.
Your generosity allows us to continue to meet the increasing need for assistance. Your enthusiastic support during Big Give Houston, coupled with matching gifts from our Board of Directors, raised more than $30,000 in just a few hours! Our volunteers, staff and patrons landed us at the top of the leaderboard in total giving.
We are humbled by this kind of recognition, and honored by Dr. Stephen L. Klineberg, founding director of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University. In the Houston Business Journal, Klineberg said: “I know of no other organization in this city that is more effective than DFSH in transforming the opportunities and life trajectories of underserved members of our community.”
If you are not yet a supporter of DFSH, I invite you to join us today as a donor, mentor, volunteer or career educator—together we can positively impact countless women, their families and our community.
With Gratitude,
Nancy LevickiPresident & Co-Founder
S U M M E R 2 016
A newsletter from Dress for Success Houston
ABOVE: Send One Suit Month is an annual success thanks to Presenting Sponsor, Chevron and Clean Sweep Sponsors which underwrite the month-long suit drive effort and special events. Paula Phillips of Houston Chronicle, Wendy Daboval of Chevron, Julie Goff of Phillips 66, Erica Krennerich of Vinson & Elkins, Genora Boykins of Reliant, an NRG company, Pam Jesse of Midway, Maria Lindenberg of Chevron, Cheryl Reed of United, Catherine Kovar of Cameron and Gary Reaves of First Reserve Corporation after receiving awards at Models of Success.
BELOW: The Four Seasons Hotel Houston sponsored the 14th annual Corporate Guild Power Breakfast featuring a panel discussion, How to Join a Corporate Board. Mary Bass of Spencer Stuart spoke about her role placing board members, Hillary Holmes of Baker Botts moderated the discussion, Kathleen Hogenson of Zone Oil & Gas, LLC discussed her different directorships, Tom Segesta of Four Seasons Hotel Houston welcomed the Corporate Guild, Nancy Levicki shared agency statistics, Martha Carnes of PwC told the audience about her experience recently joining a public board and Becky Roberts highlighted her experiences on public boards and how her past role as president of Chevron Pipe Line Company prepared her for this next phase of her career.
LOWER LEFT: First Lady of Texas Cecilia Abbott hosted our dedicated volunteers for tea in the Governor’s Mansion in April. Karen Bloomfield, Phyllis Thomason, Ellen Levin, Nancy Levicki, Lauren Levicki Courville, Lindsey Norlander and Debbie Klemcke attended the statewide affiliate gathering on behalf of Houston.
LOWER RIGHT: Trish Morille, Lauren Levicki Courville, Trini Mendenhall, Eric and Tali Blumrosen, Anne McAllister and Janis Jarosz all joined Nancy Levicki as she was honored as a finalist in Houston Business Journal’s inaugural Women Who Mean Business awards dinner.
#BeyondTheSuit
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Karma came to DFSH while going through a difficult divorce.
After 22 years of marriage and extensive time being a stay at home mom, she found herself responsible for supporting five children on her own. Karma had run several small businesses while she was working from home, but nothing that would support her whole family. When she was referred to DFSH, all she was hoping for was a suit to get her through an upcoming interview. She never imagined it would be the beginning of a journey that would change her life.
Karma quickly landed a job after her first appointment and joined the Professional Women’s Group (PWG) the very next weekend. She credits her first PWG meeting on The Oz Principle with teaching her how to move out of the victim role and take control of the situations she could. One Year, One Job, PWG’s 90-day job retention program, continued to build on that
ALTMAN-GOLDSTEIN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Marisa Black VIA Character Institute, Coaching
Blanca CruzHouston Community College, Business
Erica DavisHouston Community College, Human Resources Management
Stacey GuilloryHouston Community College, Accounting
Zaida HernandezUniversity of Houston, Mechanical Engineering
Zeinab KachmarUniversity of Houston Law Center, J.D.
Vera LoveLone Star College, Business Administration
Michelle MonrialAPIC, Supply Chain Certificate
Cloenthia OrpheyTexas Teachers, Generalist 5-8
Paige OwensWestern Governors University, Business Administration
Giavanna RiveraUniversity of Houston, Psychology
Judy PilgrimHouston Community College, Mental Health
Chanda PolkHouston Community College, Business
Maribel RodriguezHouston Community College, Business
Senobia RogersTexas Southern University, History
Susana SaraviaHouston Community College, Education
Peggy StephensSan Jacinto College North, Mental Health Services/Substance Abuse
Gwendolyn VarnadoUniversity of St. Thomas, Med-Education
Janella VenturaChampions School of Real Estate, Realtor
Barbara WareDeVry University, MBA Marketing
Shana YoungHouston Community College, Business
Jennifer ZoufalikHouston Community College, Accounting
Professional Women’s Group (PWG)
Dress for Success Houston has partnered with Vinson & Elkins for the last three
years to offer Legal Literacy programs to PWG members. With additional help and
support from Houston Volunteer Lawyers, our program expanded this year to offer
our first Legal Clinic. The Will-a-Thon enabled 28 PWG members to meet one-on-
one with an attorney to draft, execute, and notarize their personal documents. At
the end of the two-session clinic, every PWG member had a fully executed will!
CLIENT SUCCESS STORY
RIGHT: KHOU Anchor, Mia Gradney, developed and presented Speak for Success to PWG.
&ACTIVE INVOLVED PWG AT A GLANCE
ABOVE: Former Houston Texan, Wade Smith, surprised PWG members and their families at Mother’s Day brunch to share his children’s book, Smitty Hits the Play Books.
ABOVE: Ellyn Josef of Vinson & Elkins, PWG Member, Gwen and Kathryn Wilson of Natural Resource Partners L.P. at the Legal Literacy Will-a-Thon.
FINANCIAL LITERACY Program
LEGAL LITERACY Will-a-Thon
PWG’s Financial Literacy Program continues to grow, empowering more women to
make informed financial decisions as they work towards self-sufficiency. Thirty-five
women dedicated a full day to learning the “ins and outs” of credit and debt during
the Spring Financial Literacy Boot Camp thanks to a partnership with IBC. Later
in the summer, PwC will lead a second Financial Literacy Boot Camp covering all
topics related to financial health. Both boot camps make an ideal foundation for the
13-week course that kicks off this fall.
“”
PWG Member Feedback
I have updated my resume, learned how to keep a budget, and changed the way I shop at the grocery
store to include healthier options. PWG has improved my professional life as well as my personal life.
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PWG Member Feedback
Speak for Success has made me aware of the ‘crutch’
words I use when speaking – and even writing – and
how those words can make me sound unsure of myself
and my message. Mia clearly cares about DFSH and the PWG. I truly feel better prepared to speak
for success!
2015 END OF YEAR SURVEY
182 respondents | completed Dec. 2015
Outcomes:
40% Promoted
17% Received a raise
Impact:
95% Can afford regular meals
88% More self-confident
80% Self-sufficient
75% Satisfied with life
Noteworthy:
27% of first year members receive public assistance which significantly decreases to only 4% after women have participated in PWG for three or more years.
ABOVE: Slalom consultants facilitating the PWG meeting topic, “Working Effectively as Teams.”
foundation of empowerment which led to one of the fastest promotions in her department! After only two and a half months, Karma was promoted to Project Coordinator at TH Hill Associates, Incorporated.
Now she is sharing the value of professional development outside of DFSH. Karma saw a need for professional development in her department at work and pitched the idea of regular meetings on a variety of professional development topics to her supervisor. Karma’s pitch was so well received that her department started regular professional development meetings earlier this year. Karma says that within PWG she found a group to help her rebuild her confidence and that today her children see her as a stable provider. She no longer feels like a victim – she is confident, empowered and in control of her life!
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Since 2014, Dress for Success Houston is proud to have served over 600 female veterans! In 2016, DFSH increased our Veteran Service Days from quarterly to bi-monthly. Partnering with HR professionals and representatives from CHI St. Luke’s, Employer Flexible, Lloyd’s Banking Group, UT Health and Waffle House, vets honed their resumes and interview skills. These specialized efforts also serve as networking opportunities to exchange contact information and share stories of their experiences in the military and life beyond the uniform.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS HOUSTON U.S. VETERANS PROGRAMS
Building on the agency’s recent LEED Certification, 44 new solar panels will help reduce our carbon footprint and enhance our sustainability efforts in Houston.
Highlights:
•The installation was funded by a $30,000 donation from Reliant, an NRG company, and a $7,000 in-kind donation from Alba Energy
•14,627 kWh will be offset annually, which is approximately 15% of DFSH’s annual electricity usage
•Over the next 25 years, 310 metric tons of CO2 will be offset by the use of the solar panels
GOING GREEN
”“Continue to do what you do for us veterans.
We appreciate all of it! −Janiel, U. S. Navy
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Notable in 2015:
51% of the 2,652 women served gained employment, up from 37% in 2014 and 24% in 2013.
12,000 units of service facilitated: A unit of service is every touchpoint during a woman’s journey, including professional attire, interview preparation, pre-employment tools, networking and career education.
140 Veterans Served80 Army33 Navy19 Air Force8 Marines
”“I was confused and nervous, but the staff made
me feel so special. −Kathy, U. S. Army
IMPACT AT A GLANCE
Year to Date 2016:
53% of the more than 1,400 women served year to date have gained employment.
Healthcare: The top industry in which our clients land jobs.
Client Profiles:
26% have experienced some form of domestic abuse
42% of the women are classified as homeless
80% are single
99% shared that DFSH prepared them to secure employment
“ My family is so proud of me, especially my mother. I am the first in my family to get a degree and this is very special to me. My niece phones me every night for help with her homework. It makes me so proud.” – Barbara
D R E S S F O R S U C C E S S H O U S T O N WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR 2016 CLEAN SWEEP CORPORATIONS AND SUIT DRIVE PARTICIPANTS
FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT OF S.O.S. MONTH
PRESENTING SPONSOR
S.O.S. Month — March 2016
The mission of Dress for Success Houston is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and development tools to help women thrive in work and life.
4word:Houston•Accenture, LLP•AECOM•Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP•Alpha Upsilon Omega •Amegy Bank•Andrews Kurth LLP•Anu Sidhu•Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.•Asian Pacific American Law Students Association •Baker Botts L.L.P.•Banana Republic•BBVA Compass •Black Law Students Association •Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas•Bracewell LLP•Burnett Staffing Specialists •Carlson Wagonlit Travel•CBRE at Energy Center 2•CenterPoint Energy, Inc.•Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Aughtry•charming charlie corporate•Chevron Corporation•Chevron Phillips Chemical Company•Chicago Title Insurance Company•City of Houston Council Member Brenda Stardig •Clean Harbors•Columbia Pipeline Group•Comerica Bank•ConocoPhillips•Consultants in Dental Aesthetics•Creative Classics•ABWA Cy-Fair Express Network •Ensco plc•EP Energy•Fidelity Church of Christ Ladies•French Cuff Boutique•Greenberg Traurig, LLP•Greenwood King Properties•Harris County Appraisal District•Office of District Attorney, Harris County •Haynes and Boone, LLP•Houston Area Urban League Young Professionals•Houston Chronicle •Hyatt Regency Houston•IBERIABANK•IBM Corporation•Insperity•Invesco Women’s Network Program (IWN) •John Daugherty Realtors•JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.•Keller Williams Realty•KPRC- TV NBC 2•KTRK-TV ABC 13•Lakewood United Methodist •Leland Federal Building•LINN Energy LLC•Locke Lord LLP•Lockton Companies•Marathon Oil Corporation•Mayer Brown LLP•NAPO-National Association of Professional Organizers•National Women of Achievement, Inc. Missouri City/Houston Metro Chapter (NWOA) •Occidental Oil & Gas Corporation•Parker Drilling•Phillips 66•Porter Hedges LLP•Midway, CITYCENTRE•PwC•Reed Smith LLP•Reliant, an NRG company•Rice Military Civic Club•SABIC Americas Inc.• Seyfarth Shaw LLP•Sisterhood Congregation Shaar Hashalom•Slalom Consulting•St.Francis Episcopal Church•Sugar Land Rotary Club•Talbots•The Boeing Company•The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa•The Siegfried Group, LLP•Theory•Thermal Energy Consulting•Top Ladies of Distinction - Houston Chapter•Top Ladies of Distinction - Humble Chapter•Top Ladies of Distinction - Sugar Valley Chapter•TOTAL Petrochemicals USA, Inc.•Trotter Family YMCA•Vinson & Elkins LLP•Wells Fargo Business Banking Group•Whitaker IT •Windsor Village United Methodist Church•Winstead PC•Sunoco Logistics, LLP•YMCA of Greater Houston•Zurich North America•Tellepsen Family Downtown YMCA•Cyclebar Katy•Pacific Dental Services - Gulf Coast Region•TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company
D R E S S F O R S U C C E S S H O U S T O N
PRESENTING SPONSOR
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25,366
CompaniesDrop-off sitesItems of clothing
STARVolunteer
KIM McCORMICK SPRING 2016, STAR VOLUNTEER
WHAT IS THE MOST REWARDING PART OF VOLUNTEERING? Being part of our clients’ journey from their first phone call, to finding the perfect suit, landing the job, and then joining PWG. Seeing the confidence, determination, and pride grow with each step of their transition is powerful. Dress for Success Houston operates like a family unit providing a nurturing environment that empowers its members.
DESCRIBE A SPECIAL INTERACTION WITH A CLIENT: I had the privilege of preparing a Veteran client for a fashion show. She was nervous and shared that after thirteen years of military service she was apprehensive about selecting career outfits. However, once we completed the selection, along with beautiful accessories, she was pleased. She smiled, and her confidence was restored! She thanked me, yet I felt that I was the one who should extend our thanks and gratitude for her service. I knew she would transition beautifully into civilian clothes. Once she glanced in the mirror and smiled...mission accomplished!
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING
NAMED STAR VOLUNTEER? I was overcome with emotion! It is such an honor to be recognized with an award for doing something that brings me so much joy.I’m so proud to be part of the Dress for Success family helping women reach their dreams.
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LEFT: Clients attending our “The Power of LinkedIn” hosted in the Chevron Career Center. Attendees build or improve their existing profiles, learn helpful tips and receive a digital headshot.
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THE CORPORATE GUILD
1. Nancy Levicki with Wendy Daboval, Joni Baird and Maria Lindenberg of Chevron, SOS Presenting Sponsor for the 11th year at Models of Success.
2. Karen Duddlesten with Jim and Jerri Moore of the Wayne Duddlesten Foundation, which generously underwrites our Women2Women Mentoring program, attended Models of Success and were able to meet women impacted by their funding.
3. Crowd listening to a Models of Success client success story.
4. Holli Ladhani of Rockwater Energy Solutions, Niloufar Molavi of PwC, Elizabeth Doughtie of MD Anderson, and Flor Dimassi of Global Speak Translations at Models of Success.
5. Rebekah and Gary Reaves at Models of Success.
6. Corporate Guild president, Staci Voll of Texas Aromatics, engaged the crowd at the Four Seasons Hotel Houston to attend A Night Out at River Oaks Country Club on November 16.
7. Corporate Guild members at the Power Breakfast hosted by the Four Seasons Hotel Houston.
8. Lauren Levicki Courville and Nancy Levicki joined by Elizabeth Killinger, Genora Boykins and Maria Lowrey from Reliant, an NRG company at the Four Seasons Power Breakfast.
9. Anchor and event emcee, Ilona Carson and Cynthia Cisneros of KTRK-TV ABC 13 at Models of Success.
10. Left (front to back): Staci Voll of Texas Aromatics, Kasey Dunn of PwC, Nancy Levicki, Genora Boykins of Reliant, an NRG company, Brooke Sizer of Gray Reed & McGraw PC. Right (back to front): Cher Harris of The Houstonian Club, Rachel Steely of Gardere, luncheon hostess – Theresa Bazan of Comerica, Lauren Levicki Courville and Sandy Collet of Royal Sonesta Hotel Houston at Canopy for a Corporate Guild Steering Committee meeting.
WOMEN of WARDROBE
11. Threauxdown IV co-hosts Jorge Patino of Eat for a Cause and Buck Baker of Jackson’s Watering Hole.
12. Hilary Baars and Alyssa Aboloff of Sullivan Group shopped during Fiesta Like There’s No Mañana hosted by Baanou.
13. New WOW members learn more about how to get involved with DFSH during the annual Spring Fling at The Owl Bar.
14. Bina Vachhani, DeLenn Maples, Karishma Asrani, Ranjeeta Bhatia and Rebekah El-Hakam at Spring Fling.
15. Michelle Kobelan (2015-2016 WOW President) and Susan Oehl (2016-2017 WOW President) during WOW’s annual Spring Fling, hosted at The Owl Bar, raising more than $17,000 for DFSH programs.
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SAVE THE DATE!If you are interested in running, jogging or walking the full Chevron Marathon, Aramco Half Marathon
or the ABB 5K, join us at our Team DFSHouston Boot Camp on September 17 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at The Houstonian (R.S.V.P. required by September 14).
For more information, please contact Christina Forgetta at [email protected].
Run for a Reason team members crossed the finish line on January 17, 2016! Thanks to their efforts, $94,122 was raised to support Dress for Success Houston’s programs. Our 2016-2017 goals are set—150 full and half marathoners and 200 5K team members. Please join co-chairs Amanda Johansen, Shell
Oil Company, Kim Cagle, Reed Smith, Chris Bradshaw, Era Group, Lauren Hanks, The Houstonian Club, and Maidie Ryan, Ascend Performance Materials, to be a part of our winning teams.
ABOVE: Run for a Reason supporters ready to cheer on Team Dress for Success Houston!
ABOVE: Run for a Reason co-chairs Kim Cagle, Maidie Ryan, Lauren Hanks, Amanda Johansen and Chris Bradshaw at Kirby Ice House for the Team DFSHouston recruiting party.
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Eric A. BlumrosenChris BradshawKristi W. ChickeringMorris R. ClarkSusie CunninghamWendy DabovalCourtney Hopson Clare Sullivan JacksonMarie Louise KinderNiloufar MolaviGary ReavesVirginia SteppeConnie Simmons Taylor
Cristiana AndersonKate BirenbaumKaren BloomfieldTali BlumrosenGenora BoykinsKristy BradshawLindsey BrownJan CarsonBertha Castellvi Shauna Johnson ClarkCathy Fitzpatrick ClearyMonisa ClineLinda CrosbySylvie CrumVivian DarlingNancy Beck DeaneMimi Del GrandeKasey DunnCheri FamaSukey FenoglioBerthica Andrea FitzsimonsDiedra FontaineEllie FranciscoRohini GakharPatti GarrisonJennifer GattoMia GradneyFran GrangerLauren GrossbardAmy HancockJulie Hardin Joanie Y. Hare, M.D.Lindsay HolsteadJanis JaroszLaura Johnson
Carla KneippStephen LeJeuneA. David Long, Jr.Phyllis MandolaAlissa MaplesKirby McCoolMonica McNeillRachel McNeillTrish MorilleFlo Crady NewtonBetty NewtonLauren PageCinda PalaciosMary PattonAmanda PolichRebekah ReavesBonnie ReitzRebecca RobertsCandice SchillerArthur L. SmithKristin SmithSydney StaleyWillie M. StanfieldSusie and Steve StrellerPhyllis ThomasonLynda Lighthouse TransierJoyce TuckerKay WatsonLinda WebbLinda WebsterJanne WilliamsLynne WilliamsCrystal C. Wright, M.D.Shira R. Yoshor
The mission of Dress for Success Houston is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and development tools to help women thrive in work and life.
All donations must be interview appropriate, clean, pressed and on hangers. While we accept items in all sizes, there is a special need for suits and blouses sizes 0 to 4 and 14+ as well as handbags and shoes sizes 10 and up. Clothing donations are accepted at our drop-off circle on the street side of our building, Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the first and second Saturday of each month, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
3310 Eastside StreetHouston, Texas 77098
T 713.957.3779 | F 713.957.3774www.dfshouston.org
Non-profit organizationU.S. Postage
PAIDHouston, TX
Profit#12576
After serving in the United States Navy for four years, Druwsa is now equipped with professional attire and the skills needed to be successful for a career in counseling.
