Celebrity Chefs Announced for The EmpowerHER Dinner
(Featured photo: Dr. Carla Russo, Dinner Chair; Lynn McBee, CEO, YWPN; Mike Yan, Westwood Wealth Management; Regina Bruce, Dinner Chair)
Empowered Women Empowering Young Girls Presented by Westwood Wealth Management
Join us on Thursday, November 13, 2025
The buzz began as soon as the invitations went out for the Chefs Announcement Party for the EmpowerHER Dinner presented by Westwood Wealth Management benefiting the Young Women’s Preparatory Network (YWPN).
Slated for Thursday, November 13, 2025 and happening in a private home in the Park Cities for up to 125 attendees, The EmpowerHER Dinner begins at 6:00 p.m. with a cocktail reception including passed hors d’oeuvres, silent auction of some one-of-a-kind items, entertainment, announcements, and a few surprises followed by a multi-course seated gourmet dinner. Each chef will create her own featured item.
The celebrity chefs for this exclusive dinner are Janice Provost, Chef/Proprietor, Parigi; Anastacia Quiñones, Culinary Director and Co-Owner of Eledi; Dunia Terselich Borga, Executive Pastry Chef, Co-Founder of La Duni Latin Café and La Duni Baking Studio; Leigh Hutchinson, Chef/Owner of Via Triozzi; Mollie Guerra, Chef Mollie G Custom Cuisine.
As the Announcement Party began, Regina Bruce and Dr. Carla Russo, dinner chairs and founders of the nonprofit Lone Star Monarchs, which is also the dinner’s Visionary Sponsor, welcomed the crowd, recognizing the air of excitement and thanking their team and supporters. She also announced that Cathy Amos, Kunthear Mam-Douglas and Rosangela Zurawel are serving as Auction Chairs. Spotted in the crowd were: Emma Chalott Barron, Anna Berman, Raul Hinojosa, Jeanne Lewis, Taylor and Jay Munn, Jin Philips, John Pickett, Kelly and Geoffrey Schorr, Elizabeth Smith, Sandra Taylor, Laura Wells, Mike Yan and more.
Regina introduced Lynn McBee, CEO, YWPN, as not only a longtime civic leader, but as a leader of example, saying that Lynn not only holds a degree in Biochemistry from the University of Texas but throughout her career has served on and led many boards, championed nonprofits and STEM education and now serves as CEO of YWPN.
Lynn thanked the chairs and everyone for their generous support. She said that as the CEO, she is dedicated to empowering underserved girls in Texas and guiding them toward successful college pathways. She said her trajectory in STEM fields and community leadership roles fuels her passion to lead other young women on similar paths of achievement. The Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School and the Young Women’s STEAM Academy at Balch Springs are the Dallas County locations served by YWPN, which serves schools all over Texas. Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School is one of the top high schools in the nation and according to US News and World Report, the school claimed the No. 2 spot statewide and ranked No. 15 nationally this year, up from No. 23 nationwide in 2024.
“The talented female chefs joining us for the EmpowerHER Dinner exemplify the power of women using their gifts to uplift others,” McBee said. “Their passion and generosity will directly impact the young women YWPN serves, helping them pursue their dreams with confidence.”
Recognizing Westwood Wealth Management as the presenting sponsor, Regina then announced the Honorary Chairs, The Women of the Lacerte Family led by Joyce Lacerte, including Quincy Lacerte, Madison Lacerte, Monroe Lacerte, Megan Barrie-Schwarz and Harriet Lacerte. She also thanked Empowerment Sponsors CAPTRUST, Joyce and Larry Lacerte / ExponentHR and Nachawati Law Group; Airline Sponsor, Delta/Wheels Up; Floral Sponsor, McShan Florist; Graphic Arts Sponsor, Kristi Eakin Design; Printing Sponsor, The UPS Store on Lemmon Avenue; Website/Logo Design Sponsor, Black New Media; Sparkling Wine Sponsor, Une Femme Wines, and Media Sponsors, PaperCity and People Newspapers.
After Alison Matis, event coordinator, announced the chefs to a rousing round of applause, Carla closed, saying the tickets are almost gone and she looked forward to seeing everyone there! So, get ready to “Eat, Drink and be Merry!” Guests left with favor bags of sweets and chocolates donated by Kunthear Mam-Douglas and Scott Douglas.
Individual tickets start at $500. Patron tickets are $1,000 with different benefits. Sponsorships begin at $5,000 up to $25,000. Visit the website for more information: www.youngwomensprep.org/empowerher-dinner/ or contact Cindy Ryan, Chief Development Officer. Email: cryan@ywprep.org or call (214) 824-1400
About Young Women’s Preparatory Network:
Our mission is to support single-gender, college-preparatory, public education in Texas and beyond, giving young women the academic and leadership skills to achieve success in college and in life. https://youngwomensprep.org/
Photos by Danny Campbell
(Sharon Adams, Adams Communications Public Relations, is honored to represent The EmpowerHER gala dinner and post this Philanthropy Lifestyles Scene.)
