Governor Greg Abbott announced on Mar. 11 the appointment of Katrine Formby, Angela Akins Garcia, Hannah Wing Pontikes, Loreal Sarkisian, and Donna Williams, as well as the reappointment of Gina Bellinger, Gita Bolt, Ashley Bowes Cash, Denise Castillo-Rhodes, Sasha Crane, Maru De La Paz, Amy Henderson, Nathali Parker Weisman, and Angelica Rosales to the Governor’s Commission for Women. The terms for these appointments are set to expire on December 31, 2027. Nathali Parker Weisman was named chair and Denise Castillo-Rhodes vice chair of the Board.
The Commission is tasked with developing a strategy and implementation plan to help make Texas the top state for women-owned businesses and address human trafficking. It operates within the Office of the Governor and focuses on outreach, education, research, and referral services. Together with First Lady Cecilia Abbott, it also supports foster and adoption outreach programs through the Heart Gallery.
The appointees bring diverse backgrounds in business leadership, community service, media, law, finance, real estate investment, education advocacy, nonprofit management, and public service. For example: Parker Weisman is co-owner and CEO of KLP Construction Supply; Castillo-Rhodes serves as chief financial officer at Texas Medical Center; Formby is an entrepreneur in hospitality development; Akins Garcia has experience in sports media and philanthropy; Pontikes works as an on-air host for sporting events; Sarkisian leads a fashion brand and foundation; Williams manages major transportation projects; Bellinger has led food safety initiatives; Bolt holds legal leadership roles; Cash invests in real estate and oil & gas while hosting a podcast on workforce readiness; Crane advocates for education in South Texas; De La Paz contributes to educational foundations in Harlingen; Henderson works in banking with a background in military service; Rosales directs development efforts for Sundt Construction.
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 its official website. Greg Abbott was listed among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2024 according to the official website.
The Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott focuses on job creation, economic opportunities for Texans across all regions including women entrepreneurs and leaders appointed today—education enhancement initiatives that align with several commissioners’ backgrounds—protection of individual liberties—and parental empowerment regarding schooling decisions—as well as southern border security according to its official website. Since his election in 2014 according to its official website, Greg Abbott has led statewide authority from Austin while delivering services throughout Texas according to its official website.
These appointments reflect ongoing efforts by state leadership to support women’s advancement across business sectors while addressing broader social issues such as human trafficking.
