Rendezvous With Dress For Success Houston Honors A Decade of Collaboration With The Arts

Dress for Success Houston (DFS Houston) brought together acommunity of more than 550 champions of the cause to Rendezvous with Dress for Success Houston. This year’s sold-out celebration honored 10 years of collaboration with Houston’s leading arts organizations through the agency’s Creative Works programming, raising $600,000 for this worthy cause for women. The evening also commemorated 27 years of transforming the lives of more than 47,000 women in the city.

Hosted at the dazzling Revaire, the evening was led by devoted co-chairs Chad Libertus VicePresident Houston Ballet Board, Valerie and Tracy Dieterich – Board of Trustee of the Houston Symphony, alongside Daniel Turner and Jay Landa – Theatre Under the StarsBoard Member, who curated a truly magical evening. The celebration raised over $600,000to advance DFS Houston’s mission and empower thousands of Houston-area women—without government or United Way funding.

The evening’s excitement kicked off with vibrant performances by six Theatre Under the Stars students. Following the performance, KHOU Channel 11’s Mia Gradney welcomedguests with warmth and enthusiasm, setting an uplifting tone for the night. DFS HoustonPresident Lauren Levicki Courville acknowledged the Board of Directors and the DFS Houston team, sharing her deep gratitude for their unwavering support. She reflected on theagency’s successes over the years and highlighted the transformative opportunitiesprovided through the Creative Works Program, recognizing the Houston Ballet, HoustonSymphony, and Theatre Under the Stars for their meaningful partnerships that haveenriched the lives of DFS Houston clients. She emphasized how these united efforts haveopened doors for thousands of women, leaving a lasting impact across the Houstoncommunity. Mia introduced the six client ambassadors—Leslie, Harriet, Yecenia, Nhu-Thuy, Adriane, and Eleanor—whose personal success stories left the audience inspired, asthe room buzzed with emotion.

The energy soared when Lauren Anderson, retired Principal Dancer and Associate Director of Education & Community Engagement for HoustonBallet, took the stage. She emphasized that creativity fuels confidence, empowering womento grow, express themselves fully, and achieve success in every aspect of their lives. Drybar Houston and Sephora stylists graciously donated time and talent, providing make-up and hair services for our ambassadors.

The evening’s epicures provided an incredible array of food: Ryan Bouillet, A FareExtraordinaire, Vanderlei Bernardi, Avenida Brazil Churrascaria Steakhouse and Sal e Brasa Brazilian Steakhouse, Yoshi Katsuyama, Aya Sushi, Gabriel Guzman, Azumi, JasonLi, Blue Claw Seafood Restaurant and Bar, Frank Hernandez, Credence & Sidebar, BrandiKey, Daily Gather, Troy Guard, Guard & Grace Houston, Ivan Trujillo, Hearsay, SueNowamooz, Hungry’s, Pak Tsui, KA Sushi, Franklin Liao, Leven Bakery & Cafe, GareeRamirez Batted, Loch Bar, Ilias Gugole, Marmo, Kent Domas, Milton’s American Trattoria,Mayowa Sobamowo, MYOA, Brandon Caine, Nyam Nyam Korean BBQ at The Finn, AnitaJaisinghani, Pondicheri, Dustin Teague, Relish Restaurant & Bar, Jordi Roca and Ale Rivas,Rocambolesc, Marco Incerti, Tavola, Donovan Wood, Traveler’s Table, Clint Fuqua,Winfield’s Chocolate Bar. Delicious drinks were on tap thanks to donations from ArnaldoRichards, Arnaldo Richards’ Picos, Brandon Caine, HiFi at The Finn, Suntory Global Spirits, Marco Gutierrez, Tequila Kateri, Matt Indre, Total Wine & More, and StephanieMaxwell, WhistlePig Whiskey.

Kristine Mills Band, in town from the UK, entertained the crowd while they dined on the fabulous culinary creations. Auction co-chairs Lisa Barth, Susie Cunningham, Caroline Jacobs, Katherine Orellana Ross, and Leanne Schneider, kept the bidding wars going with fabulous, curated packages. Items up for grabs included trips to Costa Rica, Napa Valley, ParkCity, and Laguna Beach, United Airlines tickets, a weekend getaway to Round Top, a dinner for eight at Truluck’s, and more. The auction alone raised over $122,900 for the agency.

Supporters of DFS Houston also contributed nearly $10,800 toward raffle tickets to win apair of 18k white gold diamond hoops generously donated by Diamonds Direct (valued at $6,600).

“This organization isn’t just about dressing women for success, it’s about preparing us to thrive in our careers, communities, and future endeavors. I stand here today as a more confident woman because of everything Dress for Success has poured into me.

–Eleanor, DFS Houston Client Ambassador

Seen in the crowd: Gary Reaves and wife Rebekah Reaves, (DFS Houston Board Chair),Nancy Levicki and Susie Cunningham (DFS Houston Co-founders), Board Members, AllieDanziger and husband Eric Danziger, Kristi McCarthy, Ben Patton and wife Mary Patton,Emcee Mia Gradney, Advisory Council Members Art Smith and Becky Roberts, Maria and Graham Lowery, Paige and Kris Branam, Karen Lerner, Teal Holden, Linda Padon, Clare Sullivan Jackson, and Melkeya McDuffie. Long-time supporters, Carrie and NickFersen, Corla Davis, Cindy Speyrer, Stuart Rosenberg, Lisa Gochman

The Mission of Dress for Success® Houston is to empower women to achieve economicindependence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and developmenttools to help women thrive in work and life. Since 1998, DFS Houston has served more than47,000 women and 60,000 children.

Photography by Thomas Campbell