Wednesday, April 29 | 6:30–9:00 PM | The Briar Club
WELCOME TO THE TOAST
To Our Community,
We’re so glad you’re here.
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,
Sarah Guerrero Executive Director Breakthrough Houston
EVENT CHAIRS
Dear Friends,
As chairs of this evening and Breakthrough Houston board members we are proud to raise a glass with you tonight.
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.
Janice & Rick Moore
Janice & Rick Moore
Nancy Fischer
Nancy Fischer
Allison & Patrick Miller
Allison & Patrick Miller
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
ABOUT BREAKTHROUGH HOUSTON
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.
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% of Breakthrough Houston’s Class of 2025 matriculated to college
six-year college graduation rate for the Class of 2019 — compared to 22% statewide 90%
of Teaching Fellows reported deepening their leadership skills
FEATURED SPEAKER
PRECINCT 4 COMMISSIONER LESLEY BRIONES
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.
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
Janice and Rick Moore
Nancy Fischer
LIMITED RESERVE
HEB Pantry Foods
Randa and K. C. Weiner
Karen Arnold
SIGNATURE RESERVE
Allison and Patrick Miller
April and Rob Eschweiler
Constellation Deloitte
María and Bill Boyce
Porter Hedges LLP
CLASSIC RESERVE
Accenture
Jennie Simmons and Tanner Smith
Nick and Jeni Swyka
SPARKLING PARTNER
Allie and Sam Veselka
Carol Sugimoto
Davor and Katherine Vukadin
Hannah Johns
Josephine and Richard Smith
Meghan and Stephen Thompson
Yasmin and Michael Bilger
IN-KIND SPONSORS
Carolyn Dorros
Chad Srader
Ganessa Collins
HEB
Houston Ballet
Houston Grand Opera
Madame Zero
Nancy Fischer
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
Alexandra Simotas Laskaris, MD
Allie and Sam Veselka*
Allison and Patrick Miller*
April and Rob Eschweiler*
Carol Sugimoto
Constellation Energy
Davor and Katherine Vukadin
Deloitte
Emily and Josh Schaffer*
Ganesa Collins*
Gayatri Garg and Charlie Craig*
Gisela and Igor Cherches*
HEB Pantry Foods
Helen Simotas Vasos
Janice and Rick Moore*
Jenni and Nick Swyka*
Jennie Simmons and Tanner Smith*
Jennifer and Todd Litton*
Joe Morrel*
Josephine and Richard Smith*
Karen Arnold
Kathy and Bill Heinzerling
María and Bill Boyce*
Marek Family Foundation
Meghan and Stephen Thompson
Nancy Fischer*
Porter Hedges LLP
Randa and K.C. Weiner
St. John’s School
Suzanne and Darrell Wellen
Yasmin and Michael Bilger*
*Board Member
