Champions for Children annually gathers Houston professionals and community volunteers for an evening of fun, food, festivities, and fundraising all for a great cause.  Read below for our most recent event information.

2026 Champions for Children Gala

The Gilded Hours: A Modern Speakeasy Soirée
One unforgettable evening. One powerful mission.

Hosted by:
Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl & Monica E. Fulton

Saturday, April 11, 2026

Hotel ZaZa Museum District
5701 Main Street
Houston, TX 77005
7 PM – Midnight

Cocktails: 7:00 PM
Seated Dinner: 8:00 PM

Online and Live Auction Preview available now!

Valet Parking Provided
Attire: Vintage Black Tie or Vintage Evening Attire

Honoring:
2026 Gabriel Lester Hero Award Recipient
Brandi Maxwell

and

2026 George T. Buenik Law Enforcement Excellence Award Recipient
Detective Elena Claburn, Houston Police Department, Homicide Division – Missing Persons Unit

Hosted by 2026 Gala Chairs:
Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl & Monica E. Fulton

Mistress of Ceremonies:
Gina Gaston Elie

With Thanks to the 2026 Steering Committee:

Auction Co-Chairs
Janice Glaser & Nadia Tajalli

Sponsorship Chair
Lara Baker

Wine Chair
Trang Baratizadeh

Ginger Arwadi
Patrina Mosca
Penny Njoroge
Martina & Daniel Ogbonna
Angel Rios
Rebecca Shindler, Electric Karma International

2026 Host Committee:

Kimberly Ayres
Donae Chramosta
Cortney Cole-Hall
Denise Daniel
Minh Deckerd
Trienet & Mauricio del Valle
Gina Gaston Elie
Cherise E. Gutierrez
Joanne Howard

Pauline Huen & Jake Gopinath
Allison & Stephen Lewis
Kelly Opre & Robin Pilcher
Amy & Rob Pierce
Ashley & Bryon Rice
Liz Sanders
Mr. Markus Tolson, Sr.
Tara & Eric Tracy
Desiree & Antonio Urrutia

Thank You 2026 VIP Sponsors

Single Malt Whiskey
Monica E. Fulton

Premium Gin
Ginger & Nabil Arwadi

Aged Rum
Carrie & Sverre Brandsberg-Dahl
Denise & Thomas Daniel
Janice & Robert Glaser
Kelly Opre & Robin Pilcher
Jordan & Dylan Seff
Doreen J. Wise

Floral Sponsor

Photo Booth Underwriter

Cocktail Hour Sponsor

Bootleg Bourbon

Trienet & Mauricio del Valle
Houston Galaxy Fireworks
Natalie Schultz and Friends
Shadow IT Services

Stellar Bank
Nadia Tajalli & Shahin Tavackoli
Mel & Eric Turnquist
Tory & Pete Vonder Haar

Wall of Hope Sponsors
Amy & Rob Pierce

VIP Dinner Wine Sponsors
Rishma & Akbar Mohamed

Dinner Wine Sponsors – Red
Allison & Stephen Lewis

Dance Floor Sponsor
Angel Rios

Corporate Community Partner
Cortney Cole-Hall, Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty

Table Host Gift Sponsor

Auction Sponsor

Wine Zealot
Trang & Jeff Baratizadeh
Dr. Nitin & Anoushka Tandon

Welcome Gift Sponsor

Moonshine
Beth Alberts & Mark Sendt
Donna & George T. Buenik