Meet Houston’s ‘it’ girls for 2016
In the fourth-largest city in America, standing apart from the pack is no easy feat. The 2016 “it” girls represent a class of women who are changing the status quo.
From CEOs to radio personalities, these young, civic-minded locals are far more than just a pretty face. They’re shaking up the local technology, energy, style, business and social scenes by placing emphasis on paying it forward and giving back.
Meet the 23 young women who are making waves — and turning heads — in Houston.
Blair Bentley
Blair Bentley first turned heads with an air-guitar cameo onstage during her uncle’s RodeoHouston performance in 2013 — she is Dierks Bentley’s niece. The following year, her nonprofit, Homemade Hope, cemented its 501(c)(3) status and fed hundreds of Houston’s homeless children over the holidays. In May, the organization’s inaugural fundraiser brought in more than $60,000.
Rita Garcia
FOX 26 morning-news anchor Rita Garcia is a Texas native. Before moving to Houston a few years ago, she reported on California wildfires, earthquakes and celebrities during a stint at KCBS/KCAL in Los Angeles. Now she’s a familiar face in the Bayou City’s charity scene and has emceed events including Smahrt Girl Foundation’s benefit gala.
Amy Purvis
As Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s chief development officer, Amy Purvis helped facilitate MFAH’s $450 million expansion last year, thanks to two resident billionaires: Fayez Sarofim and Rich Kinder. Not only is she an integral part of the institution, but her refined sartorial style has become a staple at MFAH’s annual Grand Gala Ball.
Carrie Colbert
Carrie Colbert is one of Houston’s more visible bloggers; she is a regular at Fashion Week in New York and Milan. Before deciding to pursue her blog and site Wear + Where + Well full time in 2016, Colbert worked as an engineer for Hilcorp and Anadarko. She serves on boards for Recipe for Success and the University of Texas Cockrell School of Engineering.
Hayden Lasher
Houston native Hayden Lasher inherited the design gene. Her uncle, Henri Bendel, founded both the New York department store and Belgian Shoes. Lasher’s own line for Belgian Shoes features timeless handbags carried by the likes of Taylor Swift, Jamie King and Chloe Sevigny. Forbes named Lasher one of 2016’s “30 under 30.”
Sheena Garner
Eyebar’s resident optometrist Dr. Sheena Garner is responnsible for outfitting some of the city’s biggest names in stylish eyewear. Last year, Garner competed in n the Leukemia & Lymphoma Sociiety’s Man & Woman of the Year fundraising campaign; she also supports the Denali Foundation, Kids Meals Inc. and the Houston Grand Opera.
Lindley Arnoldy
Lindley Arnoldy is the founder and inaugural chair of PULSE, Professionals United to Lead St. Luke’s. Earlier this year, Arnoldy cochaired the institution’s annual children’s fashion show and luncheon with Rachael Volz. Come fall, she will cochair the Bayou Preservation Association’s 50th anniversary gala with Brittany Cassin.
Coline Creuzot
Coline Creuzot may be the granddaughter of Percy Creuzot Jr., founder of Frenchy’s Chicken, but she’s also one to watch on the music scene. Her first single, “Give-And-Take,” topped the local radio charts for six weeks back in 2008. Last year, she released “Truth Is” and welcomed her first child with husband Jason Bourgeois, a professional baseball player.
Rachael Volz
Rachael Volz is a fourthgeneration Houstonian who returned to the Bayou City after graduating from Loyola University. Her catering career began at A Fare Extraordinaire as an event producer, although by 2014, she was the company’s sole owner. Last spring, she and fellow “it” girl Lindley Arnoldy chaired the Houston Symphony’s Children’s Fashion Show and Luncheon.
Beth Younger Purpich
Beth Younger Purpich is a former professional basketball player turned handbag designer who serves on boards for the Education Foundation of Harris County, Houston Health Museum and fashion-design charity Magpies & Peacocks. Her work is a favorite auction item for local organizations, including Latin Women’s Initiative, United Way and Boys & Girls Harbor.
Kathryn Swain
Event planner Kathryn Swain earned her stripes as community manager for Citizen Generation in Austin before joining Marathon Kids and Elizabeth Dunsworth Consulting & Events here in the Bayou City. After her own destination nuptials in 2015, Swain launched WedToWhite, a website that connects bridal parties to “wedding worthy” outfits, accessories and gifts.
Libby Cagle and Lauren Taft
Last year, married couple Libby Cagle and Lauren Taft launched Pageboy, a styling service app that delivers blowouts to Houstonians’ doorsteps within an hour. Their company now offers nail and makeup appointments, too. In May, Pageboy provided full beauty services to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center’s “Epic Prom Night” for local teenage cancer patients.
Kendall Hanno
During business hours, Kendall Hanno puts her South Texas College of Law degree to good use as a vice presidennt at Regions Financiaal Corp. She and husband Chris Hanno have receently chaired aafter-partiesp for both the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Zoo galas. Kendall also supports Dress for Success’ Women of Wardrobe and volunteers with the Junior League of Houston.
Farida Abjani
After working as a critical-care registered nurse for many years, Farida Abjani is now the CEO of Shining Nightingale Healthcare and Hospice Care. She also serves on boards for the Texas Executive Women, Alliance for Multicultural Community Services, American Pakistan Foundation, Developments in Literacy USA and Ek Disha.
Chiara Casiraghi
Chiara Casiraghi is a former Houston Grand Opera dancer and model turned influencer. She is a fixture on the Houston social scene who documents her outfits and inspiration on castiraghistyle.com when she is not editing LAPALME, a Los Angeles-based magazine.
Devi Brown
Before radio personality Devi “Devi Dev” Brown began hosting 93.7 FM The Beat’s midday show, she worked for Houston’s 97.9 FM The Box. In June, Brown debuted not one but two new ventures: a company, Karma Bliss,B and a foundation, Movingi Women Forward. Houstont City Councilman Dwight Boykins declared May 26 “Devi Brown Day.”
Laura Max Rose
By day, Laura Max Rose works as the director of programming and communications at Congregation Shma Koleinu. By night, she writes about spirituality, creativity and wellness for her blog, The Light Files. Her husband, Ben Harwood Rose, is running for state representative. The couple chaired Interfaith Minstries’ aniMEALS on Wheels brunch earlier this year.
Allie Herzog Danziger
At the age of 24, Allie Herzog Danziger founded one of the city’s first public relations agencies to specialize in social media. Danziger supports Small Steps Nurturing Center, Jewish Family Services and Halo House. She spoke at the Univision 2015 Digital Summit and participated in the Public Relations Society of America’s PR Day leadership panel, 2016 BizWomen Mentoring Monday and Media Alliance Houston Conference.
Cortney Cole Hall
Cortney Cole Hall has received the Global Innovation Award and Seemore Sellmore Award as Office Depot Inc.’s major account manager. She’s also the founder and board chairman of Pink Door, which helps women build a new life after battling cancer. This year, KTRK-13 named Hall one of the city’s most eligible women.
Melissa Williams
Melissa Williams’ first chapter-book series, “Iggy the Iguana,” debuted in 2009. That year, Williams also founded the iWRITE Literacy Organization, formerly called READ3ZERO, which encourages children to read every day for at least 30 minutes. She has since published “Little Miss Molly” books and plans to unveil two new projects in 2016.
Valerie Dittner
Valerie Dittner is surrounded by fashion 24/7. As Cheeky Vintage’s creative associate, her outfits are often featured on the boutique’s blog. Dittner’s own blog, Adorn Yourself Accordingly, isn’t limited to vintage finds; the in-demand wardrobe consultant showcases her range by mixing old with new.
Ericka Graham
While Ericka Graham’s husband and former Houston Texans tight end, Garret Graham, racked up tackles, she taught English and college-readiness courses at local low-income schools. After HISD reported 700 students for every one guidance counselor in 2014, the Grahams joined Rice University’s Ruth Turley to form Project 88, which is dedicated to improving that ratio.
Brittany Darrington
Texas native Brittany Darrington founded The BD Group in 2013 to propel her inspirational speaking business. Last year, she and Amy Tyndall, both former Tootsies sales associates, created a tongue-in-cheek T-shirt line, Oil Digger Tees. When they’re not promoting the brand, Darrington works as a leadership trainer for the John Maxwell Company.