Pour Into the Future 2026 Event Program

Wednesday, April 29 | 6:30–9:00 PM | The Briar Club

WELCOME TO THE TOAST

EVENT CHAIRS

To Our Community,

Dear Friends,

We’re so glad you’re here.

As chairs of this evening and Breakthrough Houston board members we are proud to raise a glass with you tonight.

Tonight brings together a community that believes in what’s possible when students with remarkable promise are equipped to thrive and future educators are empowered to lead.

As you enjoy the tastings and conversations throughout the evening, we invite you to connect with the students, alumni, and educators in this room who bring this mission to life each day.

Thank you for being part of this moment and for helping us continue opening doors for the next generation.

With gratitude,

Together, we bring more than 30 years of connection to this organization, and in that time, we’ve seen firsthand what is possible when students are given access, opportunity, and a community that believes in them. We’ve watched young people grow into confident leaders, graduate from college, and step into their futures with purpose. We’ve also seen aspiring educators discover their voice in the classroom and carry that impact forward.

That is why we gather.

Tonight is not only a celebration, it is an investment. Every conversation, every connection, and every contribution helps ensure that students are supported on their journey to and through college, and that future educators are prepared to lead with passion and purpose.

We invite you to enjoy the evening, engage with the stories around you, and join us in continuing this work.

Thank you for being here and for raising a glass to what’s possible.

Sarah Guerrero Executive Director Breakthrough Houston

Nancy Fischer

Allison & Patrick Miller

Janice & Rick Moore

Nancy Fischer

Allison & Patrick Miller

Janice & Rick Moore

ORDER OF EVENTS WELCOME Sarah Guerrero, Executive Director

VOICES OF BREAKTHROUGH Video Presentation

SPECIAL GUEST REMARKS Commissioner Lesley Briones, Harris County Precinct 4

CHAIR REMARKS Event Chairs

TASTING & NETWORKING CLOSING REMARKS

WHY WE RAISE OUR GLASSES

FEATURED SPEAKER

ABOUT BREAKTHROUGH HOUSTON

PRECINCT 4 COMMISSIONER LESLEY BRIONES

Breakthrough Houston equips students with remarkable promise and financial need to discover what’s possible, access and attain a college degree, and build lives of choice and purpose.

Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones is a proud Latina and native Texan who grew up on the U.S.-Mexico border. She is the first woman to lead Precinct 4, and the first mother elected in her own right to the Harris County Commissioners Court.

We start early — in middle school, before academic paths narrow. And we stay for the long haul. Our 10-year commitment means students don’t just get to college — they graduate prepared, purposeful, and connected to a network that opens doors long after. Each student’s path is shaped by individualized advising and support, with Breakthrough Houston coordinating opportunities around them every step of the way.

At the same time, our Teaching Fellows program develops the next generation of educators and education advocates — high school and college students who serve as near-peer mentors, fueling our middle school program, while gaining hands-on classroom experience.

Right now, more than 800 students across Houston are on that path. Your support makes this possible.

95

90

95

of Breakthrough Houston’s Class of 2025 matriculated to college

six-year college graduation rate for the Class of 2019 — compared to 22% statewide

of Teaching Fellows reported deepening their leadership skills

%

%

%

Commissioner Briones oversees county services for Precinct 4, which is larger than eight U.S. states and is home to over 1.2 million residents. Precinct 4 includes five cities, 62 parks, and 10 community centers. On the Commissioners Court, she plays a significant role in shaping countywide policies and delivering progress on infrastructure, disaster readiness, public safety, justice, health, and more.

Commissioner Briones has championed initiatives to make Harris County safer and more inclusive. She spearheaded adding new criminal district courts and the expansion of the Sheriff’s Office TeleDeputy program to reduce call times, secured significant investments for flood mitigation projects and domestic violence resources, drove efforts to install lactation pods in county facilities, and led the creation of the county’s first LGBTQIA+ Commission. Her signature initiative, Call 4 Projects: Places 4 People, focuses on leveraging partnerships to improve safety and connectivity through transformative infrastructure projects.

Commissioner Briones graduated with honors from Harvard University and began her career teaching in low-income public schools. She later earned her law degree from Yale, practiced law, and served as a Harris County Civil Court at Law Judge.

Commissioner Briones lives in Houston with her husband, Adán, and their three daughters.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS GRAND RESERVE

SPARKLING PARTNER

Janice and Rick Moore

Allie and Sam Veselka

Nancy Fischer

Carol Sugimoto Davor and Katherine Vukadin Hannah Johns

LIMITED RESERVE

Josephine and Richard Smith

HEB Pantry Foods

Meghan and Stephen Thompson

Randa and K. C. Weiner

Yasmin and Michael Bilger

Karen Arnold

SIGNATURE RESERVE

IN-KIND SPONSORS Carolyn Dorros

Allison and Patrick Miller

Chad Srader

April and Rob Eschweiler

Ganessa Collins

Constellation

HEB

Deloitte

Houston Ballet

María and Bill Boyce

Houston Grand Opera

Porter Hedges LLP

Madame Zero Nancy Fischer

CLASSIC RESERVE Accenture Jennie Simmons and Tanner Smith Nick and Jeni Swyka

Pappas Restaurants Randa and K. C. Weiner Spaceland Skydiving Spec’s The Rustic Theater Under the Stars Total Wine & More Yasmin and Michael Bilger

HOST COMMITTEE Accenture

Jenni and Nick Swyka*

Alexandra Simotas Laskaris, MD

Jennie Simmons and Tanner Smith*

Allie and Sam Veselka*

Jennifer and Todd Litton*

Allison and Patrick Miller*

Joe Morrel*

April and Rob Eschweiler*

Josephine and Richard Smith*

Carol Sugimoto

Karen Arnold

Constellation Energy

Kathy and Bill Heinzerling

Davor and Katherine Vukadin

María and Bill Boyce*

Deloitte

Marek Family Foundation

Emily and Josh Schaffer*

Meghan and Stephen Thompson

Ganesa Collins*

Nancy Fischer*

Gayatri Garg and Charlie Craig*

Porter Hedges LLP

Gisela and Igor Cherches*

Randa and K.C. Weiner

HEB Pantry Foods

St. John’s School

Helen Simotas Vasos

Suzanne and Darrell Wellen

Janice and Rick Moore*

Yasmin and Michael Bilger* *Board Member

THANK YOU

FOR POURING INTO THE FUTURE breakthroughhouston.org | @breakthroughhouston