Chris Hook is a two-time breast cancer survivor who uses her breast cancer journey to inspire and encourage other breast cancer survivors and their families. In honor of a friend who shared the breast cancer battle with Chris and lost, Chris and two other survivors founded the Denise Veillon Memorial Library at The Houston Northwest Medical Center's Breast Center. Here, other survivors, family members and staff have access to information about breast cancer, nutrition and chemotherapy. In this role, Chris accepts donations, buys new books and writes personal letters to those who make donations and the family members of those celebrated by donations. Chris is a co-founder of the Care, Share and Be Aware Breast Cancer Support Group at Houston Northwest Medical Center. She has served as a volunteer for the M.D. Anderson Children Art Project – Adopt a Store, as well as an American Cancer Society Reach to Recovery volunteer and trainer.

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Lisa Wang is the founder of Helping Hearts Resale Heaven. Three years ago, she turned her vision for helping others in need into this community outreach program located at Unity Church of North Houston. Items are donated by people all over the city. Lisa works with volunteers to sort through goods and operate the shop. The store has been a blessing to young mothers, families and individuals in crisis. Every donation finds a home – surplus items are given to Aldine Assistance Ministries and individuals who take supplies to needy families in Mexico. Financial proceeds are sent to women's shelters, no-kill animal shelters, small non-profits, Special Olympics and other organizations. Lisa is also a program manager at Hewlett Packard.

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Nicolette Hardwicke is the founder and director of Paddington British Private School. Fueled by her passion for early childhood education and dream to create a unique school with a hands-on curriculum, Nicolette opened the school with a handful of children in a church’s portable building. Twenty years later, the Paddington School operates on a three-acre campus with approximately 350 children. With the belief that the arts are an essential piece of knowledge children should learn in the early years, Nicolette was the first to introduce classical music into the classroom. Her unique preschool curriculum includes computers, visual arts, dance and etiquette. Nicolette is a mother of three.

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Suzan Deison is the founder of the newly organized Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce. She is the former president of the North Houston Greenspoint Chamber and the Galleria Chamber of Commerce. Suzan is a two-time cancer survivor who, while going through radiation treatment, stayed committed to her job and did not complain. During the time of Hurricane Katrina, Suzan took in her daughter’s family, as well as a friend of her daughter’s family who were evacuated from Louisiana. Following the storm, Suzan helped them find housing. She is a dedicated mother of three children, Taylor, Melanie and Grant, and grandmother of seven.

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Tracy Case is a mom who has balanced motherhood and cancer twice. Tracy was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 30 and had a mastectomy when her son was 10 months old. Four weeks after the birth of her second child she was diagnosed with Stage IV metastasis breast disease to her spine and liver. Tracy currently serves as a CanCare volunteer and has supported and mentored 10 other young women facing breast cancer, while continuing in her role as a devoted wife and mother. Tracy also speaks for CanCare and shares her story to raise awareness for the organization.

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Mimi Dinh is the owner and president of Mikel Marketing, a full-service public relations and special events management/production company. Mimi uses her modern, cutting- edge style to serve clients who place a high value on their company's image and aesthetics. The company's custom press kit (designed by Mimi), website, newsletter and high profile events all attempt to exceed client expectations. Through the last seven years, Mimi and Mikel Marketing have defined their target market and built long-term relationships with their clients. Mimi serves as a volunteer for the Blueprint Ball, Child Advocates and the Escape Family Resource Center.

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Saakshi Chowdhary is a junior at Seven Lakes High School. While visiting family in India, Saakshi toured an orphanage and saw the girls' lack of attention to dental hygiene. Later, she contacted the Arya Samaj Orphanage in Breilly, India and planned a five-day Dental Health Care Camp for 30 of the orphanage's residents. With the help of volunteers from the local dental college, a local dentist and Saakshi’s own dentist, each girl received a dental examination and learned ways to protect her teeth. For her efforts, Saakshi Chowdhary earned the Gold Award, the highest award a Girl Scout can achieve.

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Nancy Rutledge is the executive director of the Houston CPA Society. She has led the 8,000-member society for 30 years. When she arrived, a deficit budget was projected. The society’s current budget exceeds $1 million. Throughout her tenure, Nancy has provided sound guidance to the society’s leadership, mentoring three women to society presidency and a fourth to president-elect. One of those she worked with currently heads the Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council. Additionally, Nancy has served as president of the Houston Society of Association Executives and served on the board of the Texas Society of Association Executives and the TSAE Foundation.

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