Governor Greg Abbott appointed and reappointed 14 individuals to the Governor’s Commission for Women, with terms set to expire on December 31, 2027, according to a Mar. 11 announcement. Nathali Parker Weisman was named chair and Denise Castillo-Rhodes vice chair of the board.
The appointments are part of an effort to develop strategies that support women-owned businesses and address human trafficking in Texas. The commission, housed within the Office of the Governor, focuses on outreach, education, research, and referral services. It also supports foster and adoption outreach programs through the Heart Gallery in partnership with First Lady Cecilia Abbott.
The newly appointed members include Katrine Formby, Angela Akins Garcia, Hannah Wing Pontikes, Loreal Sarkisian, and Donna Williams. Reappointed members are Gina Bellinger, Gita Bolt, Ashley Bowes Cash, Denise Castillo-Rhodes, Sasha Crane, Maru De La Paz, Amy Henderson, Nathali Parker Weisman, and Angelica Rosales. Each member brings experience from fields such as business development, law, finance, media hosting, philanthropy, community leadership, real estate investment, education advocacy, nonprofit management and public service.
According to the official website, the Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott contributed to Texas leading the nation in jobs growth and record employment levels. The office maintains its primary offices in Austin at the State Insurance Building according to the official website. Greg Abbott has led the office since his election in 2014 according to the official website.
The Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott is recognized for focusing on job creation and economic opportunities as well as enhancing education and protecting individual liberties according to the official website. In addition to these priorities it also emphasizes parental empowerment in schooling and southern border security. The office exercises authority statewide across Texas according to the official website.
Greg Abbott was listed among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2024 according to the official website.
The commission’s new leadership is expected to continue supporting initiatives that promote women’s economic participation while addressing key social issues across Texas.
