A sea of pink in decor and fashion swept over Houston’s Post Oak Hotel ballroom as the annual Razzle Dazzle luncheon benefiting Memorial Hermann’s breast cancer initiatives reordered the color palette. On this day pink was decidedly primary.
After all, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and pink is the mission’s signature color.
Throughout the fast-paced program, following the theme “Unstoppable,” pink was the color du jour — worn by honoree philanthropist and breast cancer survivor Sheridan Williams; by luncheon chairs — community volunteer and PaperCity Best Dressed honoree Amy Pierce, the executive vice president of Governmental Affairs at Phillips 66 Vanessa Sutherland and fashion designer and founder of Edit by Elaine Turner Elaine Turner — and by Anne Neeson executive vice president and CEO of the Memorial Hermann Foundation. Plus so many others among the throng of 525.
Lisa Trapani Shumate interviews ‘Charlie’s Angel’ and native Houston Jaclyn Smith at ‘Razzle Dazzle’ (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)
It was Neeson who announced that the event had raised a record $1.23 million, an 11 percent increase over the 2025 luncheon. Proceeds are earmarked for the advancement of early breast cancer detection, outreach and advanced diagnostic technology at Memorial Hermann, including the Bobetta C. Lindig Breast Care Center at Memorial City.
Among its many benefits, the event makes possible 1,000 mammograms for women who otherwise might not be able to access them.
Vanessa Sutherland, Elaine Turner, Amy Pierce, Sheridan Williams, Anne Neeson at ‘Razzle Dazzle'(Photo by Priscilla Dickson)
It was an action packed program that included a serenade of Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” by the Memorial High School Varsity Treble Choir; a performance of “Unstoppable” by Grammy-nominated singer Chelsea Cymone (a nod to the luncheon theme); introduction of Williams by Neeson and Tenenbaum Jewelers’ Tony Bradfield; and an onstage conversation between honored guest Jaclyn Smith of Charlie’s Angels fame and MaximumQ CEO Lisa Trapani Shumate. Shumate interviewed the original Charlie’s Angel, a proud Houston native.
SHOP
Grove Hill
Eighteen Forty Two
MacKenzie-Childs
Verdadero Tequila
Pecos Jane
Zilker Belts
Zilker Brewing
Hutson Clothing Co.
Zadok Jewelers
References to the popular mid 1970s television series carried through the luncheon with more than one onstage personality striking the iconic Angels’ pose — the index finger playfully extended as if a pistol.
Anne Neeson, Jordan Seff at ‘Razzle Dazzle’ (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)
Smith — a native Houstonian, Lamar High School graduate and breast cancer survivor — spoke candidly about the television series, her family including grandchildren, friendship and the importance of early breast cancer detection. That detection push served as a refrain throughout the luncheon.
Taking it all in at a front row table was incoming Memorial Hermann Health System president and CEO Alec King. He is set to replace the retiring David Callender on January 1.
Emcee Samica Knight, chair Zhanna Golodryga at the Razzle Dazzle luncheon (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)
PC Seen: John Eddie Williams, Dr. Brad Allen (Smith’s husband), Lisa and Jerry Simon, Janet Gurwitch, Dancie Ware, Amalia Stanton, Valerie and Sam Golden, Martine Weitz, Lindsay Holstead, Shawn Stephens, Allison Thacker, Jennifer Ducote, Lindsey Brown, Susie Johnson, Julie Roberts, Jennifer Graves, and Laurie Krohn.