March is National Women’s History Month—a time to honor the fearless, visionary women who have shaped history and continue to break barriers. Since its official recognition by Congress in 1987, this month has stood as a testament to the power, resilience, and brilliance of women across generations. At the She Said Foundation, we don’t just celebrate history—we honor the women making it. Each year, we proudly present the Extraordinary Women Making History (EWMH) Award, recognizing unstoppable women whose leadership, achievements, and impact are transforming industries, communities, and the world.
This year, we gathered to honor 13 extraordinary women at our Annual EWMH Awards Luncheon—a celebration of bold leadership, relentless innovation, and the unshakable force of women changing the future.
2025 EWMH Honorees
Nancy Almodovar
Nancy Almodovar, CEO and co-founder of Nan and Company Properties, is a trailblazer in Houston’s luxury real estate market. Recognized as the #1 agent for selling the city’s most expensive homes, she manages Houston’s most prestigious estates and multimillion-dollar properties. Since founding Nan and Company Properties in 2014, Nancy has built one of Houston’s top brokerages, achieving over 40% annual growth. With 20+ years of experience, she’s known for excellence, client dedication, and fostering a thriving workplace culture. Her accolades include *Managing Broker of the Year (2020),* *Houston’s Most Influential Women (2022),* and *40 Under 40 (2022).* She also leads community initiatives like the *Nan Cares Toy Drive.* A University of Houston alumna and Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses graduate, Nancy balances family life while mentoring future leaders. She continues redefining Houston’s luxury real estate, helping clients and the community “find their happy.”
Nory Angel
Nory Angel is a dedicated nonprofit and community leader, currently serving as President of the American Leadership Forum (ALF), which offers executive leadership development for the Houston-Galveston region’s top leaders. Passionate about empowering people and driving social change, Nory has devoted her career to workforce development and supporting vulnerable communities. At ALF, she launched the region’s first Leadership Hub—a space for collective leadership practice and progress on society’s toughest challenges. Under her leadership, ALF has grown beyond a leadership program to a network of over 1,700 Senior Fellows driving regional impact. Previously, Nory led TEACH, an education nonprofit serving Houston’s public schools, and served as CEO of SERJobs, where she oversaw major growth and innovation in workforce programs. She holds an MBA from Griffith University, a BA from the University of North Texas, and certificates from Harvard Kennedy School, the National Hispana Leadership Institute, and other distinguished programs.
Amanda Edwards
Amanda K. Edwards is an attorney, non-profit leader, and served as former Houston City Council Member in At-Large Position 4. She is committed to empowering communities through solutions, engagement and service. Amanda serves as general counsel for Houston Parks Board. She is also President & CEO of The Community Based Solutions Firm, and she is the Board President of Be The Solution: Community Empowerment Organization. In addition to her leadership in launching the City’s Technology and Innovation Task Force to cultivate an innovation economy in Houston, Amanda led efforts to increase access to capital for women and minority owned businesses through Business Ecosystem Alliance for Minorities and Women. Amanda is now running to serve the historic 18th Congressional District in the United States Congress.
Jennifer Ford
Jennifer Ford is the representation of sneaker culture in Houston. As the only black female sneaker boutique owner in the Nike family, and the owner of the first sneaker boutique in Texas, Jennifer has been able to build a store and private label brand that truly represents Houston’s sneaker culture throughout the years and through her many partnerships. After earning an economics degree from Emory University, Jennifer moved to New York to pursue her love of retail with a prominent department store. She completed an extensive training program and moved around the women’s buying departments until she eventually found her love in women’s product development. After moving back home to Houston in 2004, Jennifer decided to chase her love of sneakers and open a sneaker boutique with support from her family, friends, and the local sneaker head community. Since then, Premiumgoods has been a staple in the city and the industry. In 2010, Premiumgoods expanded and launched Premiumkids, a children’s store focused to help cultivate the next generation of sneakerheads in Houston. For the last few years, and with both stores in performing well, Jennifer dedicated time towards her growing family. As she jumps back in to the business with significant expansion plans, she’s even more involved in the community as ever before. Through these experiences, Jennifer has realized that as one of the few black women in her industry, and female leaders in her community, she is in a special position to empower other women and minorities around her and help them chase their goals and achieve their dreams. Holdin’ it down while lifting us up!
Martye Kendrick
Martye Kendrick is the CEO and Executive Director of the Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation (HCSCC), overseeing the strategic vision for NRG Park. With over 15 years of public finance experience, she ensures the park’s long-term service to tenants and the community. Before HCSCC, Kendrick served as counsel at Greenberg Traurig, LLP, specializing in real estate and financial matters, including tax-exempt bond financings for school districts and municipalities. Her leadership has garnered recognition, including being named a 2023 “Women Who Mean Business” honoree by The Houston Business Journal and one of Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women by Houston Woman Magazine in the same year. Kendrick has served on the Board of Directors for the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority since 2018 and the City of Houston Water Adjustment Board since 2013. She holds degrees from Trinity College, Howard University School of Law, and the University of Denver.
Judy Le
Judy Le has over 25 years of people development experience, previously as a change management consultant at Deloitte Consulting and director at Rice University. As CEO of TakeRoot, she works with organizations to empower leadership at every level. She is also a curriculum designer and facilitator for the American Leadership Forum and teaches the leadership certificate at the Glasscock School at Rice University. Judy came to America as a Vietnamese refugee and saw firsthand how leadership is needed at all levels of communities and organizations. Her experiences have shaped her approach to help others develop their own authenticity in how they lead - to embrace uncertainty, get clear on what matters most, and build trusting relationships. Judy is a certified executive and team coach. She is proud to serve on the boards of EMERGE Fellowship, Post Oak School, the LeaderShape Institute, and American Leadership Forum National.
Tandra LeMay
Tandra LeMay is the Director of Local Government and External Affairs for Verizon, overseeing markets in Louisiana, Houston, Tx and Little Rock, Arkansas. She drives strategic initiatives and fosters key relationships with government and community stakeholders. With a strong legal background, Tandra navigates complex regulatory landscapes and advocates for policies supporting Verizon’s mission. She manages external communications and community engagement, and is deeply committed to digital inclusion, promoting Verizon’s resources for teachers and small businesses. Tandra is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and a graduate of Louisiana State University and Loyola University of New Orleans School of Law. She serves on boards including the United Way of Southeast Louisiana, Greater New Orleans Inc., and the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and is dedicated to positively impacting her communities.
Susanne Mariga
Susanne Mariga is a CPA and Fractional CFO specializing in high net worth strategies for 7 and 8 figure entrepreneurs using the Profit First System. Susanne is the CEO of The Mariga Group which is a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business, the 2021 Profit First Professional Firm Of The Year, and a recipient of the 2011 Houston Minority Supplier Development E-10 Award. Susanne has been featured in the Houston Business Journal, MBE Magazine, and in a variety of other media outlets. She is the author of Kirkus reviewed and Publisher’s Weekly’s Editor’s Pick, Profit First For Minority Business Enterprises which was written in collaboration with Mike Michalowicz, under the Profit First brand. She is the host of the Profit Talk Podcast. Before founding her own firm, Susanne worked at Arthur Andersen LLP, as well as one of the Big 4 firms, KPMG. Combining her industry knowledge with her own experience of growing a small business has allowed Susanne to help her clients design unique, profit-first based business plans that ensure success and long-term financial stability. As a Certified Profit First Professional (PFP) at the Mastery Level, she is passionate about helping entrepreneurs maximize their revenue, grow their business, and save dollars through sound tax strategies.
Pamela McKay
Pamela McKay started her 34 year radio industry career as an account executive at KPRC-AM in 1991. After several promotions through Sales Management with KPRC and KHMX, McKay was promoted to VP/Market Manager for the Austin cluster of 6 stations in June 2006. This was the first time the company promoted someone from sales oversight for one station to management of an entire market. From 2012-2014 McKay served as VP/Market Manager for both the Austin cluster and iHeart’s 7-station San Antonio cluster. In 2017 McKay joined Radio One as VP/Market Manager of the powerhouse Houston group and became the first African American female to hold this coveted position to oversee legendary stations Majic 102 97.9 The Box and Praise Houston. With the Radio One acquisition of CMG in 2023, their group now also includes two additional legendary brands…93Q Country and The Eagle. McKay is a proud board member for the Urban League and March of Dimes and also served on the 2023 Final Four Community Relations Committee. 2025 Pam attended Texas Southern University to study Business Administration. She was a member of the Lady Tigers Basketball team and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. McKay has been married to her husband Bob for 32 wonderful years and has four beautifully amazing children, Kellyn (30) and 23 year old triplets Kharson, Kendall and Kamille.
Kisha Porch
Kisha Porch is Divisional Director for the Central Division leading an organization of 6,500 plus branch employees in 15 states. Prior to this role, Kisha served as the Head of Chase Consumer Retail Banking, Small Business and Auto Customer Service with 5,000 employees in three countries. With over 31 years in banking, Kisha’s management experience spans Operations, Retail Banking, Credit Card, Risk, Learning and Human Resources. Kisha serves as co-Chair for the Black Executive Forum, is Houston Corporate Center Leader, and is a member of the Houston Market Leadership Team. Kisha proudly serves on the board of directors for the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce and the Houston Area Urban League. Kisha studied Political Science with a minor in Criminal Justice at Cleveland State University. She has been happily married almost 26 years and is the proud mother of 4.
Amber Mostyn
Amber Mostyn is a nationally recognized trial attorney and the leader of Mostyn Law, a Texas-based firm known for fighting corporate wrongdoing and advocating for people’s rights. A Fort Worth native, she holds degrees from Vanderbilt University and the University of Texas School of Law, where she was inducted into the Order of the Barristers. Amber has served in leadership roles in 19 multi-district litigation cases, helping thousands recover from natural disasters and defective products. A dedicated philanthropist, she co-founded the Glenda Jean Mostyn and Joe E. Moreno Educational Foundation, supporting children with special needs and their families. Amber is also a committed civic leader, having chaired Annie’s List and supported numerous progressive causes to ensure every Texan has a voice. Her work reflects a deep passion for justice, equality, and community.
Sadie Rucker
Sadie Rucker, President of Horizon International Group, LLC is a native Houstonian – rooted in her support for the betterment of her hometown. Horizon International Group, is a premier general contractor and job order contractor in the construction industry and is a certified City of Houston Minority, Women and Small Business Enterprise; and State of Texas Historically Underutilized Business designation. Sadie is an undergraduate of Texas Southern University and holds a Masters Degree from the University of Houston along with an Interior Designer license. She has over thirty years of experience as a project principal and as a project executive at Horizon.
Sineria Ordóñez
Sineria works at Comerica Bank as Vice-President, External Affairs Market Manager for South Texas, and National Hispanic Business Development Manager. As External Affairs for South Texas, Sineria is responsible for community reinvestments with priorities in small business, economic and workforce development; affordable housing; education including financial education; and neighborhood revitalization programs benefiting low to moderate-income individuals and communities. In her national role, Sineria supports Comerica’s ongoing commitment to strengthening relationships with Hispanic business leaders, entrepreneurs, and communities across its five primary markets of California, Texas, Michigan, Arizona and Florida.