Advocacy Committee

Dr. Fry has a BS in Microbiology and works with ALS Heroes

Nina Magon

Nina Magon is an international, multi-award-winning interior designer and TV personality renowned for her signature refined modern aesthetic, that perfectly balances bold high design with a luxurious appeal. As Creative Director of Contour Interior Design, Nina seeks first to create a vision and then execute it for each client, designing one-of-a-kind environments, each tailored to the client’s unique taste, with an emphasis on skillfully executed, flawless detail. Contour is lauded in its industry for its integration of design innovation, construction expertise, and business acumen. Her lavish residential, commercial and hospitality spaces have won national and international acclaim as she has been recognized as one of the top designers and most creative in the world by Hospitality Design Magazine, Interior Design Magazine, Architectural Digest, The Wall Street Journal and many international publications and well-recognized accreditations.

Leisa Holland-Nelson

Leisa Holland-Nelson is a native Houstonian, an entrepreneur, a speaker, broadcaster and mentor to women in business, and a proud mother and grandmother of two, with a passion for serving her community. Leisa initiated her highly successful entrepreneurial career by launching RentTheSite.com in 2004. Today, she is partner, vice president, and CMO of ASTOUNDZ, an organic SEO and responsive website development company. Leisa is also the author and voice of “Women Mean Business”, a weekly segment focusing on “Extraordinary women doing Extraordinary Things”, on Gow Media, including Radio 97.5 ESPN and on YouTube and podcast. Over 50,000 have downladed episodes of Women Mean Business since the shows inception. In service to the community, Leisa is currently vice-chairman of marketing and communications for the March of Dimes, vice-chairman of the American Leadership Forum, and on the boards of the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce and AVDA (Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse), and the Advisory Board of Baylor College of Medicine’s Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center . Always aware of what is important in life, Leisa Holland-Nelson has used her entrepreneurial skills and instincts to help other women in business and her passion for being of service to better the lives of many.

William Lee Cowden, MD, MD(H) for ALS Heroes

Tanaz Choudhury

Tanaz is the principal at TanChes Global Management, Inc. in partnership with her husband and best friend Chesley Choudhury. TanChes is a full service IT Company specializing in Infrastructure Strategy and Cyber Security. TanChes works actively within the SMB and Enterprise Markets and is certified to service the State Local Govt., Law enforcement and SLED space. Power with Purpose ! As a serial entrepreneur, I am passionate about aligning Education with Entrepreneurship. I believe that Collaboration is the key to success. With over 2 decades of experience and expertise in award winning business processes and alignments, we deliver IT excellence to our Clients in the SMB, Commercial, Enterprise and SLED( State/ Local Governments and Education verticals.

Tanaz Choudhury is the epitome of Education and Entrepreneurship in action ! With a background in pure sciences and finance, she is the actively involved in the integral client-relationships and overseeing the day to day operations at TanChes. She is very socio-civically active; having served on numerous Boards and commissions over the last 2 decades in the local non-profit Communities and the IT Community as a whole. Tanaz is passionate about being a part of different STEM and STEAM programs for Children and Girls with a focus on Technology. She is a very sought after Keynote Speaker/Panel Speaker and has actively served as a Role-Model and an active Influencer for Women in Technology. She also speaks 7 languages, revels in being a serial entrepreneur…. But of the things that she has done and continues to strive for … she is most proud of her title “ MOM” to her teenagers Chloe and Tayte.

Farida Abjani

Farida Abjani is the co-founder and CEO of Shining Nightingale, INC, a home health agency whose mission is to provide the best possible experience for its patients and raise the bar for excellence in health services. Her greatest passion is taking care of the emotional and physical needs of the elderly, and their caregivers. Farida is intimately involved with a number of charities. Currently, she is on the advisory board of the Department of Aging and Disability and the governing boards of the Houston Symphony, Houston Symphony League, The Alliance, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, The partners and KnowAutism.

Due to Farida’s strong sense of community and her affinity for helping so many, she has been the recipient of a number of honors including Women of distinction, Houston’s 25 most beautiful people by H- Texas magazine, Women of philanthropy by St Jude, Top 20 impact makers and Top 20 CEO’s by CKW LUXE, Beacon of light by UOH, 30 most influential women of Houston, community service award by IMAGH, 50 most influential women by Houston Women magazine, It Girl and women who run Houston by Houston Chronicles. She was also honored as Friends of charities by indo-American charity Foundation.