Leadership Houston

10/15/2026

Two LH alumnae. One regional table. A whole lot of Houston leadership. 💙

Congratulations to Linda Toyota, Class XVII, and Kathy Flanagan Payton, Class XVIII, who have been named to Hancock Whitney’s Community Development Advisory Council!

The 19-member council brings together leaders from across the Gulf South to help inform efforts supporting stronger communities, economic opportunity, housing, small businesses and financial health.

We love seeing Leadership Houston alumni continue to carry their leadership beyond our program and into spaces where communities are shaped and strengthened.

Join us in celebrating Linda and Kathy on this exciting appointment!

10/14/2026

📌 **QUICK RSVP LINK UPDATE**

Please note that the Leadership Houston Signature Program Information Session RSVP link is **case-sensitive**.

To ensure prospective candidates are directed to the correct registration page, please use the link exactly as written below:

🔗 **https://bit.ly/lhinfosession2728**

We have also updated the Information Session flyer to reflect the correct link.

If you previously shared the event, we’d appreciate you sharing this update as well so future Class XLVI candidates can register without any hiccups.

📅 Wednesday, November 4, 2026
📍 United Way of Greater Houston
🕕 Networking w/ Lite Bites & Refreshments begins at 6:00 PM
🎤 Program begins at 6:30 PM

Questions about the Signature Program or Information Session? Please contact Wendy Lee, Program Manager, at [email protected].

10/13/2026

📌 QUICK RSVP LINK UPDATE

Please note that the Leadership Houston Signature Program Information Session RSVP link is case-sensitive. To ensure prospective candidates are directed to the correct registration page, please use the link exactly as written below: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gb3giT62

Please see comments on original post. We have also updated the Information Session flyer to reflect the correct link. If you previously shared the event, we’d appreciate you sharing this update as well so future Class XLVI candidates can register without any hiccups.

📅 Wednesday, November 4, 2026📍 United Way of Greater Houston🕕 Networking w/ Lite Bites amp; Refreshments begins at 6:00 PM🎤 Program begins at 6:30 PM

Questions about the Signature Program or Information Session? Please contact Wendy Lee, Program Manager, at [email protected].

Who should be in the room next?

Leadership Houston is beginning recruitment for Class XLVI, and our upcoming Signature Program Information Session is the perfect place for prospective candidates to learn more.

📅 Wednesday, November 4, 2026
📍 United Way of Greater Houston
🕕 Networking with Lite Bites & Refreshments at 6:00 PM
🎤 Program at 6:30 PM

If someone in your network comes to mind, send this their way.
Prospective Candidates can RSVP NOW: https://bit.ly/lhinfosession2728

LH alumni, you can also nominate a future Leadership Houston candidate anytime here:
https://www.leadershiphouston.org/nominate-a-candidate

For questions, comments, or concerns, please contact Wendy Lee, Program Manager, at [email protected].
Help us find the leaders who should experience Leadership Houston next.

10/13/2026

Blast from the past: Class XIV, we found Sheila. 💙
Meet K. Johnstone, a Leadership Houston Class XIV alum whose story could fill several careers.

Molecular biologist. Medical researcher. Entrepreneur. Legal-medical consultant. Fashion designer. Dancer. Pianist. Cookbook author. ASL educator.
And somehow, that is still only the short version.

Sheila spent two decades in medical research before building a business helping attorneys understand complex medical issues. After moving to Houston, she continued giving back through teaching, civic service and, eventually, American Sign Language education. Her free ASL classes have helped everyone from parents and grandparents to teachers, healthcare professionals and police officers communicate more meaningfully with the deaf community. (https://www.copybrighters.com/post/no-blueprint-groundbreaking-the-remarkable-career-of-sheila-johnstone)

But today, we especially want to celebrate Sheila the LH alum.
She recently reconnected with Leadership Houston, and now we want to find more of the people who shared that chapter with her.

Class XIV, sound off in the comments.
Do you remember Sheila? Are you still connected with classmates from XIV? Tag them below or send them our way. Our Program Coordinator, Danni would love to hear from you at [email protected]!

And if you are an LH alum from any class who has drifted a little farther from the fold, consider this your invitation back.
We still want to know your story.

10/12/2026

Around H-Town: Three ways to connect with Houston this season:

🔷 LEARN
Share your perspective on neighborhood priorities during Houston’s community meetings on October 12 at Fountain Life Center or October 21 online.
Details: https://www.houstontx.gov/housing/public-hearing/

🔷 EXPLORE
Visit Faces of Change, a new permanent mural at 811 Westheimer Road honoring six women whose leadership helped shape Houston.
Learn more: https://www.thewomenshome.org/mural/

🔷 SERVE
Bring a repairable household item or learn from community volunteers at the Harris County Public Library Repair Café on November 14, from 11:00 AM–3:00 PM, at Maud Smith Marks Branch Library.
Event details: https://hcpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events?q=repair+cafe
Leadership happens wherever people choose to learn, connect and contribute. Find more selected community opportunities in the monthly Leadership Houston newsletter.

10/12/2026

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Leadership is also about how we show up for one another through seasons that require courage, compassion and community.

Leadership Houston honors breast cancer survivors, stands with that currently navigating treatment, and remembers the loved ones whose lives have been touched by breast cancer. Across our alumni network and throughout the Houston community, we recognize the advocates, caregivers, healthcare professionals, families and friends who continue to educate, encourage and support those affected.

This month, we join communities across Houston in raising awareness and honoring every story behind the pink ribbon.

Enlighten. Empower. Engage.

10/09/2026

45 CHECK INS FOR 45 YEARS!
Tomorrow, October 10, 2026 is World Mental Health Day.

This year’s global theme, “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change,” reminds us of something simple but important: being heard matters. (World Health Organization)

So we’re giving the Leadership Houston community one simple challenge.
Take 10 mins. Reach out to one peer.
Think of one LH classmate or fellow alum you haven’t genuinely checked in with lately. Call them. Text them. Send the voice note. Grab coffee. No agenda. No ask. Just connection!

Need an opener?
“No ask today. You crossed my mind and I wanted to see how you’re doing.”
Then come back here and comment: YOUR CLASS + ✓

We’ll count together until our community reaches 45 check ins in recognition of 45 years of Leadership Houston.
Which class will help us get there first?
Listening is leadership.

Enlighten. Empower. Engage.

10/09/2026

Leadership Houston is proud to celebrate three of our alumni recognized by the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce as part of its 2026 Women in the Fast Lane of STEAM celebration. (https://www.facebook.com/GHWCC/)

⭐ Griselda Gonzales, P.E. | Class ###VI
⭐ Megan E. Ortiz | Class ###V
⭐ Chantell Link, Ph.D. | Class ###VII

From engineering and aerospace to education and community leadership, their work reflects the powerful impact of women leading across Houston.
Congratulations, Griselda, Megan and Chantell.

Enlighten. Empower. Engage.

10/08/2026

Who should be in the room next?

Leadership Houston is beginning recruitment for Class XLVI, and our upcoming Signature Program Information Session is the perfect place for prospective candidates to learn more.

📅 Wednesday, November 4, 2026
📍 United Way of Greater Houston
🕕 Networking with Lite Bites & Refreshments at 6:00 PM
🎤 Program at 6:30 PM

If someone in your network comes to mind, send this their way.
Prospective Candidates can RSVP NOW: https://bit.ly/lhinfosession2728

LH alumni, you can also nominate a future Leadership Houston candidate anytime here:
https://www.leadershiphouston.org/nominate-a-candidate

For questions, comments, or concerns, please contact Wendy Lee, Program Manager, at [email protected].
Help us find the leaders who should experience Leadership Houston next.