Felix helps transform communities

By Juliette Coulter

Texas Women’s Foundation (TXWF) has raced to reveal its keynote speaker for the 37th Annual Luncheon: Allyson Felix, who reigns as the most decorated American Track & Field Athlete of all time after winning her bronze and gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Themed “Transforming Communities,” this year’s event will take place on October 6, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas.

A world record holder, Felix holds 13 global titles, 20 championship medals and 11 Olympic medals. Off the track, she is a fierce advocate for maternity rights for all women and founder and president of Saysh, which designs and manufactures athletic-inspired footwear made for and by women. 

In addition, the organization secured The Dallas Mavericks as the presenting sponsor of the luncheon, along with its President and CEO Cynt Marshall as the moderator. Marshall also serves as a TXWF board member.

TXWF board members and business leaders, Laura Nieto and Rachel Vinson, are luncheon co-chairs. 

Nieto is director of community outreach for Southwest Airlines. Vinson is president of Debt & Structured Finance in the U.S. for CBRE.

Miki Woodard, Texas Women’s Foundation president and chief executive officer, said: “We’re excited about this all-star team, Allyson and Cynt, who will elevate the conversation of transforming communities with systems that support everyone, while they share sports and personal stories. We’re also thankful to the team of Laura and Rachel, co-chairs for our largest fundraiser, who are transforming their workplace communities. So run, don’t walk, to reserve your place at our event!”

With Marshall, Felix will participate in a moderated conversation discussing her work transforming communities across the world, fighting inequities by leading initiatives advocating for maternal policies, and providing access to education and helping the next generation of mothers and athletes. Felix may be retiring from competitive athletics, but she is amplifying her voice for women’s rights and launching her new brand for women, led by women, which attendees will hear more about at the luncheon.

The Annual Luncheon is the Foundation’s principal fundraiser in support of its work to advance women’s economic security, leadership, education, health and safety in Texas through research, advocacy, programs and grantmaking. For those interested in supporting the event through sponsorship, contact Breanna Khorrami at [email protected]. 

Visit txwfluncheon.org for more details.