2024 Summit

An attendee of the 2023 Leading the Lone Star State summit takes a photo of speakers Dawn Freeman, Symone Sanders-Townsend, and Stella Chavez

Our 2024 summit highlighted the critical importance of building public trust in government through ethical practices. Engaging sessions and discussions provided attendees with insights on managing ethical dilemmas, effective crisis communication, and promoting ethical engagement. Topics covered ethical leadership, adherence to a code of ethics, recovering from ethical breaches while maintaining public trust, and the crucial role of journalism in Texas government.

See the full 2024 event schedule

2024 keynote speaker

We were pleased to welcome this 2024’s keynote speaker, Erin Brockovich, an environmental activist, consumer advocate, New York Times Bestselling Author, President of Brockovich Research & Consulting, and the inspiration for the Academy Award-Winning Film ‘Erin Brockovich’.

2024 featured speakers

Colonel Kimberly Olson

United States Air Force (retired)

Kim Olson, Colonel, USAF retired, is a 25-year combat veteran and trailblazer in the first generation of female military pilots.

Angela Hunt

Shareholder at Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr

Angela is a member of Munsch Hardt’s Real Estate section, and she spearheads the firm’s Zoning and Land Use practice.

Sara Hensley

Denton City Manager

Sara Hensley was appointed City Manager in March 2022, and brings with her more than 20 years of experience to the position.

Jo Ann Reyes

Former Deputy Chief Judge Municipal Court for the City of Fort Worth

Judge Reyes retired from the City of Fort Worth as the Deputy Chief Judge in October 2018 after 21 years of service as a municipal judge.

George Bouhasin

Texas State Coordinator for Braver Angels

George Bouhasin has been the Texas State Coordinator for Braver Angels since 2017.

Angela Lewallen

Ambassador for Braver Angels

Angela brings experience in teaching communication skills, facilitating peer mediation, and the application of mediation training.

Betsy Price

Former Mayor of Fort Worth

Betsy Price, a Fort Worth native, was elected in 2011 as the 44th mayor of the City of Fort Worth.

Mary Anne Alhadeff

Women’s Leadership Advocate

Alhadeff is an Emmy Award-winning television producer, retired public broadcasting CEO, and former Executive Director of the JNIWL at TWU.

Sonal Shah

CEO of The Texas Tribune

Sonal Shah is the chief executive officer at The Texas Tribune, and has worked in academia, government, private and philanthropic sectors.

Katrice Hardy

VP and Executive Editor, Dallas Morning News

Katrice believes strongly that a news organization’s role is to shine light on wonderful people and organizations making a difference.

Krys Boyd

Host of Think, KERA

Krys Boyd is host and managing editor of Think from KERA in Dallas. The award-winning program can be heard on stations across the country.

Ann Margolin

Former Dallas City Council Member

Ann Margolin is a business owner, community leader and an executive coach. She served on the Dallas City Council from 2009-2013.

Hope Andrade

Former Secretary of State

Andrade, an entrepreneur and business leader in San Antonio, was the first Latina Texas Secretary of State, serving for over four years.

Myra Crownover

Former Texas State Representative

Myra Crownover served in the Texas House of Representatives from 2000 to 2016, and is actively engaged in banking, real estate, and energy.

Dawn Buckingham

Texas Land Commissioner

Dr. Dawn Buckingham has made history and brings a lifetime of experience as this state’s first female Land Commissioner.

Tammy Meinershagen

Deputy Mayor Pro Tem

A dynamic leader and change-maker, Tammy Meinershagen is the first Korean-American female elected to any City Council in the state of Texas.

Jane Nelson

Texas Secretary of State

Jane Nelson was appointed the 115th Texas Secretary of State by Governor Greg Abbott on January 5, 2023.

Whitney Strauss

Senior Counsel - CSR & Philanthropic Services

Dr. Strauss has had an extensive background in nonprofit and corporate social responsibility leadership.

Nicole Collier

Texas Representative HD 95

Nicole is the first woman to represent Tarrant County’s House District 95, and was re-elected to her sixth term in November 2022.

Martha Cotera

Activist

Martha P. Cotera is a librarian, writer, and influential activist of both the Chicano Civil Rights and the Chicana Feminist movements.

Corinne French

Director of School Board Engagement, Texas Education Agency

Corinne is dedicated to teaching best practices and governance strategies and deeply committed to making education accessible and equitable.

Colonel Kimberly Olson

United States Air Force (retired)

Kim Olson, Colonel, USAF retired, is a 25-year combat veteran and trailblazer in the first generation of female military pilots.

Angela Hunt

Shareholder at Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr

Angela is a member of Munsch Hardt’s Real Estate section, and she spearheads the firm’s Zoning and Land Use practice.

Sara Hensley

Denton City Manager

Sara Hensley was appointed City Manager in March 2022, and brings with her more than 20 years of experience to the position.

Jo Ann Reyes

Former Deputy Chief Judge Municipal Court for the City of Fort Worth

Judge Reyes retired from the City of Fort Worth as the Deputy Chief Judge in October 2018 after 21 years of service as a municipal judge.

George Bouhasin

Texas State Coordinator for Braver Angels

George Bouhasin has been the Texas State Coordinator for Braver Angels since 2017.

Angela Lewallen

Ambassador for Braver Angels

Angela brings experience in teaching communication skills, facilitating peer mediation, and the application of mediation training.

Betsy Price

Former Mayor of Fort Worth

Betsy Price, a Fort Worth native, was elected in 2011 as the 44th mayor of the City of Fort Worth.

Mary Anne Alhadeff

Women’s Leadership Advocate

Alhadeff is an Emmy Award-winning television producer, retired public broadcasting CEO, and former Executive Director of the JNIWL at TWU.

Sonal Shah

CEO of The Texas Tribune

Sonal Shah is the chief executive officer at The Texas Tribune, and has worked in academia, government, private and philanthropic sectors.

Katrice Hardy

VP and Executive Editor, Dallas Morning News

Katrice believes strongly that a news organization’s role is to shine light on wonderful people and organizations making a difference.

Krys Boyd

Host of Think, KERA

Krys Boyd is host and managing editor of Think from KERA in Dallas. The award-winning program can be heard on stations across the country.

Ann Margolin

Former Dallas City Council Member

Ann Margolin is a business owner, community leader and an executive coach. She served on the Dallas City Council from 2009-2013.

Hope Andrade

Former Secretary of State

Andrade, an entrepreneur and business leader in San Antonio, was the first Latina Texas Secretary of State, serving for over four years.

Myra Crownover

Former Texas State Representative

Myra Crownover served in the Texas House of Representatives from 2000 to 2016, and is actively engaged in banking, real estate, and energy.

Dawn Buckingham

Texas Land Commissioner

Dr. Dawn Buckingham has made history and brings a lifetime of experience as this state’s first female Land Commissioner.

Tammy Meinershagen

Deputy Mayor Pro Tem

A dynamic leader and change-maker, Tammy Meinershagen is the first Korean-American female elected to any City Council in the state of Texas.

Jane Nelson

Texas Secretary of State

Jane Nelson was appointed the 115th Texas Secretary of State by Governor Greg Abbott on January 5, 2023.

Whitney Strauss

Senior Counsel - CSR & Philanthropic Services

Dr. Strauss has had an extensive background in nonprofit and corporate social responsibility leadership.

Nicole Collier

Texas Representative HD 95

Nicole is the first woman to represent Tarrant County’s House District 95, and was re-elected to her sixth term in November 2022.

Martha Cotera

Activist

Martha P. Cotera is a librarian, writer, and influential activist of both the Chicano Civil Rights and the Chicana Feminist movements.

Corinne French

Director of School Board Engagement, Texas Education Agency

Corinne is dedicated to teaching best practices and governance strategies and deeply committed to making education accessible and equitable.

Colonel Kimberly Olson

United States Air Force (retired)

Kim Olson, Colonel, USAF retired, is a 25-year combat veteran and trailblazer in the first generation of female military pilots.

Angela Hunt

Shareholder at Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr

Angela is a member of Munsch Hardt’s Real Estate section, and she spearheads the firm’s Zoning and Land Use practice.

Schedule at-a-glance

General Session I

Transparency and Integrity: Women Driving Ethical Governance

Col. Kimberly Olson, United States Air Force (retired)

9:15-10 a.m., Chilton/Kincaid

General Session II

Preserving Democracy: The Role of Responsible Journalism in Upholding Democracy and Freedom of the Press

Mary Anne Alhadeff - Moderator
CEO Texas Tribune Sonal Shah
Dallas Morning News Executive Editor Katrice Hardy
KERA’s Think Host Krys Boyd

1:40-2:25 p.m., Chilton/Kincaid

General Session III

The Power of One: Using Personal Ethics to Create a More Just World

Erin Brockovich

2:40-3:25 p.m., Chilton/Kincaid

Concurrent Breakout Session I

Ethical Decision-Making: Women Leaders in Governance

Former Deputy Chief Judge Municipal Court for the City of Fort Worth, Texas and TWU Alumna Judge Jo Ann Reyes
Former Dallas City Council Member Ann Margolin
Senior Counsel, CSR & Philanthropic Services Dr. Whitney Strauss - Moderator
Director of School Board Engagement, Texas Education Agency Corinne French

10:30-11:15 a.m., Pioneer 1/2

The Courage to be Civil: Finding the Will and the Way to Engage with, Listen and Respond to the Other Side

Texas State Coordinator for Braver Angels George Bouhasin
Ambassador Braver Angels Angela Lewallen

10:30-11:15 a.m., Pioneer 3/4

Concurrent Breakout Session II

Governing Above Board & All In

Former Fort Worth Mayor & Advisory Board Member Betsy Price
Texas State Representative, House District 95 Nicole Collier
Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Tammy Meinershagen
Shareholder at Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr Angela Hunt

11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Pioneer 1/2

Trailblazers in Government: Women Pioneering Ethical Change

Former Texas State Representative Myra Crownover
Former Secretary of State Hope Andrade
Activist Martha Cotera
Texas Land Commissioner Dr. Dawn Buckingham

11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Pioneer 3/4

Page last updated 5:03 PM, January 27, 2025