The Texans Care for Children Awards Luncheon brings together community-minded Texans who share the common belief that every child deserves to live in a safe environment, have an enriching early education, have access to the health care they need, and more. For over 40 years, Texans Care for Children has been on the forefront of children’s policy advocacy, continually pushing for a better future for Texas children and families.

This annual event is the place to be to mix and mingle with child welfare advocates, business and health care leaders, policymakers, and early educators who believe in the power of policy change to make children’s lives better now and into the future.

For questions or custom sponsorship options, contact Lauren Adams at ladams@txchildren.org.

Honoring Texas Champions

FOUNDER’S AWARD HONOREES

Dr. Charleta Guillory is a nationally recognized champion for healthy Texas mothers and babies. As a Professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine and Director, Neonatal-Perinatal Public Health Program at Texas Children’s Hospital, she cares for the highest-risk infants and leads research aimed at reducing Black infant mortality. She brings her expertise and tireless advocacy to a number of other roles as well, currently chairing the Texas Collaborative for Healthy Mothers and Babies and serving as Chapter Chair in the Texas Pediatric Society (AAP).

Kris Kaiser Olson has been a passionate advocate for Texas children and families for decades. She first began collaborating with Phil Strickland, Founder of Texans Care for Children, in 1988 and went on to guide and support Texans Care for Children as an enthusiastic board member from 1999 to 2023. Kris has served her Waco community and families across the state in a number of other capacities, including serving as the current chair of the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty.

Putting Kids and Families First 

By supporting Texans Care for Children, you will fuel our work successfully advancing policies that help Texas kids and families thrive, carrying on the mission that Phil Strickland and other dedicated Texans envisioned when they founded the organization 40 years ago. 

Our annual Luncheon is not only a moment to raise vital funds in support of our mission, but also a chance to hear first-hand from our 2025 champions on what has inspired them and what’s ahead in the fight for Texas kids and families.

Meet the 2025 Luncheon Host Committee

Our dedicated Luncheon host committee shares our vision of a more equitable Texas for children and families. Thank you to this amazing team for helping us honor our Founder’s Award recipients, welcoming new guests to the table, and creating change that will last for generations.

  • The De Cuebaz Company

  • Claire Zinnecker Design

  • Early Learning Expert

  • Management Consultant

  • MAYA Consulting

  • Start Early

  • SRI International

  • Student1

  • Austin Achieve Public Schools

  • Phenix Saenz

  • Squeezed Consulting

  • King & Spalding, LLP

  • Education Consultant

  • Nix Patterson, LLP