Ima Hogg Award Honoree
Ann Friedman, PhD
Ann Friedman, PhD, a psychologist and certified clinical trauma professional, teaches mindfulness to adults and youth individually and through classes at the Jung Center and provides trainings for businesses, nonprofits, schools, and medical institutions internationally. Ann taught through UNICEF and Mental Health America of Greater Houston across Southeast Texas and Puerto Rico following major hurricanes. She taught in an Oklahoma middle school through HealthCorps. Longtime clients (work over 2-3 years) include Dan-Bunkering America, Methodist Hospital, HISD, Child Builders, Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston (Afghan Refugees), UT Nursing School (Covenant House), Chester Street Foundation, and Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.
Ann’s volunteer work for youth includes serving for over ten years on the boards of The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Houston (including as Chairman), the Houston A+ Challenge (including as Chairman), and the Children’s Defense Fund Texas Advisory Board.
Co-Chairs
Regina Rogers
Andrea White
Lois Stark
Cyvia Wolff
Honorary Chair
Joan Alexander
Joan Alexander is President and CEO of The Stanford and Joan Alexander Foundation. Together with her late husband Stanford, they have impacted the Houston community for over 50 years with their enduring support of Houston’s social services, healthcare research and programs, education system and fine arts. Using her influence as a philanthropist, writer, and community activist in numerous sectors of the community, Joan’s personal mission is to eliminate the stigma of mental illness and to be a catalyst for change to enrich the quality of life in Houston and beyond. In addition to her work in mental health advocacy, Joan has been a champion for people with disabilities by providing resources and supporting programs to raise awareness and knowledge to create more inclusive communities. The Alexanders were past recipients of Mental Health America of Greater Houston’s Ima Hogg Award at which time Joan initiated a “Stamp Out Stigma” campaign. She was also honored with Mental Health America of Greater Houston’s Inaugural Spirit of Hope Award.
Guest Speaker
Lisa Helfman
Lisa Helfman is the Senior Director of Public Affairs Houston for H-E-B Grocery Company and served previously as their Director of Real Estate. Prior to joining H-E-B in 2014, Lisa served as Director of Real Estate Services at Texas Children’s Hospital where she created the Real Estate Services Department in order to centralize the hospital’s real estate operations.
When she isn’t representing H-E-B in the community, she is pushing kale smoothies to children all over underserved communities as the Founder and Board Chair of Brighter Bites.
