tHE INTERNATIONAL WOMAN'S FORUM COMES TO HOUSTON

2017 IWF World leadership conference - highlights, houston, tx

In Stellar company with my Opening Reception Co-chair Clare Sullivan Jackson and Mayor Sylvester Turner, former Mayor Anise Parker and Conference Co-chair Gracie Cavnar.

International Women’s Forum 2017 World Leadership Conference
Celebrated Best of Houston as it Welcomed Female Leaders from Around the World

Local Female Chefs Injected Houston Flavor Into October 25 Opening Reception

On October 25 – 27, 2017, the International Women’s Forum (IWF) World Leadership Conference convened in our great city bringing together nearly 1,000 women experts and innovators from 40 nations to discuss the world’s most pressing challenges in the local context of Houston. The two-day conference provided an important platform for women thought-leaders from across the globe to not only engage on critical topics, but it served as a forum to celebrate excellence among women trailblazers, innovators and pioneers, including the best of Houston’s local female chefs.

Eleven of Houston’s talented and passionate female chefs helped kick off the conference on October 25, during an Opening Reception at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH). Attendees enjoyed a cultural food experience showcasing Houston’s diverse culinary scene.

“Houston is an incredibly diverse city that welcomes cuisines from around the world,” said Gracie Cavnar, Founder and CEO of the Recipe for Success Foundation & Conference Co-Chair. “I am delighted to see these innovative chefs –whose passions for food and cooking have taken them around the world – incorporate various flavors and influences in the menus they'll create for our guests.”

Local female chefs include:
Lori Farris, Owner of Arcodoro Ristorante Italiano, Houston and Dallas
Barbara McKnight, Executive Chef and Founder of CULINAIRE
Monica Pope, Chef at Sparrow Bar + Cookshop
Claire Smith, Restaurateur of Alice Blue and Canopy
Erin Smith, Chef and Winner of Food Network’s Chopped 2016
Jody Stevens, Baker and Chef of JodyCakes
Kiran Verma, Executive Chef and Owner of Kiran's Restaurant & Bar
Dory Fung, Pastry Chef Instructor, Houston Community College and Co-Creator of Great Banh Mi Cookoff and Big Bao Battle
Brandi Key, Executive Chef for Coppa Osteria, Punk’s Simple Southern Food, SaltAir Seafood Kitchen and The Dunlavy
Karen Man, Baker and Co-Founder of Oxheart

“I am excited that we can shine a spotlight on these talented women working in all areas of the food industry,” added Cavnar. “This experience showcasing our Houston culinary scene is made possible due to the hard work and dedication of our opening reception co-chairs Barbara McKnight and Clare Jackson Sullivan.”

Additionally, on October 27, Houston hosted former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, who was inducted into the IWF Hall of Fame during a gala at the Hilton Americas-Houston. The ceremony, co-hosted by IWF and IWF’s charitable entity, also honored women from around the world who are diverse in their achievement but are united in their support of the next generation of women leaders.

The conference was co-chaired by Gracie Cavnar, Founder and CEO of the Recipe for Success Foundation and the Honourable Annise Parker, former Mayor of Houston.

Follow @IWFGlobal on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook for conference highlights or to join in the conversation. 

About the International Women’s Forum & Leadership Foundation
IWF is an invitation-only, membership organization comprised of more than 6,500 diverse and accomplished women from 34 nations on six continents. IWF members are dedicated to building better leadership across careers, continents, and cultures. IWF’s charitable arm, the Leadership Foundation, supports high-potential women through two leadership development programs – the Fellows Program and the EY Women Athletes Business Network (WABN) Mentoring Program. For more information on IWF and LF visit www.iwforum.org and follow @IWFGlobal on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.

IWF Conference