Our Annual Ladies of Memorial Awards ceremony was suppose to happen last May, 2020. We all know that COVID-19 stopped events from taking place. Now, almost a year later, we are proud that we can safely bring you this Swoonworthy event featuring some extraordinary ladies.
Below, you will meet extraordinary women that live in Memorial who are not only doing extraordinary things, but are extraordinary ladies. We are so grateful to our many sponsors who have stepped up and wanted to be a part of this annual event saluting these ladies.
Aimee Snoots
CHARITY: SpringSpirit l WEBSITE: springspirit.org
Aimee married Wynne Snoots, Jr. in 2000. They were blessed with a son, Sam, in 2002 followed by a daughter, Sarah Anne, in 2003. In addition to her SpringSpirit board duties, Aimee enjoys volunteering through the Kinkaid Parent Association. Aimee is also a lifetime member of the Covenant House Texas Guild. In her free time she enjoys playing tennis, mountain biking, Rummikub, and a good game of Pickle Ball.
Aimee credits God’s grace and mercy for having blessed her with a beautiful family, loving friends and a grateful heart. She was naturally drawn to SpringSpirit when she saw how they recognize and fill the critical need for mentors for children and young adults as they navigate life’s challenges right here in Spring Branch.
Amy Pierce
CHARITY: The Women’s Fund for Health Education and Resiliency • WEBSITE: thewomensfund.org
Amy attended The University of Texas and graduated with honors with a BS in Journalism and Public Relations. She is a co-founder of The Houston 20, a growing movement of community leaders organized to fight against sex trafficking and the sex trade in Houston and in Texas. She is on the board of SEARCH Homeless Services and chairs SEARCH’s Friends of HTT Volunteer Auxiliary. She serves on the board of The Women’s Fund, and she and her daughters raised vital funds for the organization’s outstanding and unique programs.
Amy and Rob have worked to instill hearts for service, compassion for others, and the importance of education in their four children Kendall, Kyle, Kaitlyn, and Kamren. The family attends St. Martin’s Episcopal Church.
Angela Dina
CHARITY: Turn It Gold l WEBSITE: turnitgold.org
Angela Dina’s upbringing in a small town in West Texas fostered an early sense of the value of community. She graduated from Texas A&M University and moved to Houston, where she met her husband of 22 years, Mike Dina. They were blessed with a daughter, Caroline18, who is now a senior year at Stratford High School, and Charlie 13, who is in 6th grade at Cornerstone Academy. They settled in the Wilchester area of Memorial and Angela got involved in many philanthropic efforts, including Junior League of Houston and various roles in Spring Branch ISD.
The Dina family along with special friends, started the organization Turn It Gold to raise awareness and funding for childhood cancer research. Through many sporting events and galas over the last few years, Angela is proud to say the organization has raised and awarded more than 1 million dollars to support ongoing research efforts.
Deborah Duncan
CHARITY: Mission of Yahweh • WEBSITE: Missionofyahweh.org
When you look at how Deborah Duncan grew up, it is no surprise that she ended up in the communication business. Raised in a military family, her early years were spent in Taiwan and Japan. Deborah eventually enrolled at the University of Texas in Austin and earned a degree in Radio-Television-Film.
After a couple of years in radio, Deborah made the switch to television as a reporter at the CBS station in Austin and then became an anchor at the ABC station. In Dallas, she started a talk show called “Good Morning Texas”. Deborah moved to New York City to co-host a talk show then moved back to Texas and hosted a talk-show on ABC here locally. Deborah eventually joined KHOU-TV as host of Great Day Houston.
Joy McCormack
CHARITY: YMCA of Greater Houston • WEBSITE: www.ymcahouston.org
Joy began her philanthropic career serving in many PTA positions for Valley Oaks, Spring Branch Middle and Memorial High School. Joy is currently serving as the Pandemic President for the National Charity League Memorial Chapter. She is completing her 2nd term as councilmember for the City of Spring Valley Village.
Her service has included the creation of the Trotter Family YMCA: Celebrating Women of the Y Luncheon and collaborative work to create the Moving Stronger at the Y program for those living with Multiple Sclerosis. Joy and her husband Don have been involved with the National MS Society on many levels that include Joy riding her 19th MS 150 this May, serving on the MS Walk Committee, involvement in Club 300 and co-chairing the record-setting On the Move Luncheon.
Joy and Don married in 2000. She lists her greatest achievement as her still works in progress, their three children, Hannah, Ian, and Evelyn.
Kimberly W. Brown
CHARITY: Belong Bakery • WEBSITE: Belongbakery.org
Kimberly received her B.B.A. in Marketing from Baylor University in 1991. She graduated from South Texas College of Law in 1994, where she served on the Law Journal and was a member of the Order of the Lytae. Kimberly practiced personal injury trial law for over twenty years in Houston. She has been active in the Memorial community volunteering within Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD) and serving her community through National Charity League (NCL) as Vice President of Philanthropy. She has led philanthropy projects at various organizations throughout the Houston community including Brookwood, Gracewood and Texas Children’s Hospital. As Executive Director of BELONG, Kimberly brings her love of cooking, creativity, and strong work ethic to her commitment to providing employment opportunities for her daughter and other similarly situated IDD adults.
Melissa DeAyala
CHARITY: Kids’ Meals Inc • WEBSITE: Kidsmealsinc.org
Melissa DeAyala has always called Memorial home. She met her husband, Mano, at Memorial High School. Melissa joined The Junior League of Houston and then began supporting The Children’s Fund, which helps several local children centered causes. Melissa is currently on the board of The Spring Branch Education Foundation, Texas Children’s Cancer Center Advisory Board and she was the Chair of the Kid’s Meals luncheon this past November.
She has also been involved in Spring Spirit Baseball, Social Motion, and SAY Stuttering Association for the Young. Melissa and Mano have loved living and raising their children, Marcus (25) Matthew (21) and Mitchell (17), in Memorial. Melissa believes that Houston is a very philanthropic city. “We do great things when we all work together. I have been very fortunate to volunteer beside some amazing and generous people. I am very proud to live in Houston and in the Memorial community “
Minda Caesar
CHARITY: Spring Branch Education Foundation, Spring Branch Family Development Center, American Heart Association, Northbrook Middle School SPARK Park
WEBSITE: sbef.springbranchisd.com
Minda’s strong belief in the powerful role that public education plays in building strong communities led her to actively engage in her children’s schools early on, from Chapelwood’s pre-school through Memorial High School as well as the Council of PTAs. In May 2018, Minda was elected to the SBISD Board of Trustees where she now also serves as Board Secretary and spends countless hours touring schools, reviewing financials and working to enact policies to improve our schools and our community.
Minda’s involvement in SBISD introduced her to the Spring Branch Education Foundation where she currently serves on the board. Minda has been married to her husband, Bill, for 27 years. They have four children: Ryan, Katie, Allie and Torie.
Robin Conner
CHARITY: WOW Houston • WEBSITE: www.WomenforOrphansWorldwide.org
Robin Conner, Senior Vice President of Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty. As an agent, she was a member of the Circle of Excellence and Hall of Fame with Martha Turner.
Robin’s hands-on knowledge of the business has proven invaluable as she guides agents to perfection regarding every aspect of a transaction. Embracing the “win-win” concept, Robin welcomes a challenge stating, “the more complicated the better.”
Robin and her husband reside in Memorial just one mile from her childhood home. Her children attend the same area schools she attended. Robin is active in her community, her children’s schools and her church. She is a proud graduate of Texas Tech University and is an avid fan of the Houston Astros. A favorite pastime is spending time with friends at their family home in Round Top and volunteering with WOW.
Sandy Kothari
CHARITY: Harrison’s Heroes • WEBSITE: harrisonsheroes.org
Sandy Kothari holds a BFA in Art History from Southern Methodist University.
Over the past 20 years, Sandy has helped to run her family business, Katy Instruments. Before joining Katy Instruments, she worked for a Houston based auction house.
Sandy has been married for 23 years. She has two daughters, a 17-year old and a 6-year old, and a Golden Retriever named Kansas.
Sandy founded Harrison’s Heroes in 2015 in honor of her two-year old son, Harrison, that passed away after a long, extended hospital stay. From her experience in the hospital helping to manage Harrison’s care, she developed a passion for helping children in hospitals that are experiencing long term stays. That passion led to Harrison’s Heroes.
You can read the complete article in our digital publication including a Q&A for each of these remarkable women.
