MARGARET ALKEK WILLIAMS

Margaret Alkek Williams is truly a Houston ICON, and one of the nation’s most generous and committed philanthropists. Her tireless efforts have helped Houston become the vibrant world-class city it is today. Margaret serves as chairman of the Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation, the living legacy created by her parents. There she continues to carry on the family’s charitable mission to advance educational and medical institutions, to preserve and promote the fine and performing arts, and to support programs serving the people of the state of Texas.

Margaret currently serves on 22 boards and their various committees, and remains personally involved in their fundraising. She has been honored by and received awards from numerous organizations in Houston and has chaired or co-chaired many special events. She continues to support the institutions her parents helped build, serving on all but two of Houston’s major hospital boards. Most significantly is Baylor College of Medicine, which has received $92 million in foundation funds during the years, including $6.9 million of its total $10.5 million in grants in 2011.

Margaret was the first person in the U.S. to receive the Audrey Hepburn

Society Philanthropist of the Year Award in recognition of her support of the UNICEF and Baylor Pediatric AIDS Initiative partnership. UNICEF also established the Margaret Alkek Williams Humanitarian Award, a special award given to philanthropic leaders at the annual UNICEF Gala Houston.

But her true passion is the world of culture. Her love for the arts started at a young age. She studied acting at Stanford University and earned a music degree at the University of Texas. No one gives as consistently and generously across the board to Houston Grand Opera; Houston Ballet; the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Society for the Performing Arts; Houston Symphony; the Alley Theatre and Theatre Under The Stars or serves on as many of their boards.

As my father said, “You can’t wear but one suit, and you can’t eat but three meals a day. What are you going to do with your money except help others?”

“The family has been supporting some of these organizations for over 40 years”, she said. “What I add, my parents would be happy with.”

As a philanthropist, Williams has proven to be not only generous but gutsy.