The Greater Houston Partnership is proud to present Rise to the Top, a podcast that aims to amplify the voices of accomplished female leaders in the Houston region. Hosted by Partnership Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Katie Pryor, Rise to the Top will feature compelling guests each month to share their personal journey and how their organization is making an impact in Houston. Along the way we’ll explore some of the places and experiences that make this region unique.
In this special episode of Rise to the Top, we celebrate International Women's Day with Anita Sehgal, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Houston Astros. With over 30 years of experience in strategic marketing, Anita has shaped major brands like Academy Sports and Outdoors and Best Buy before joining the Astros in 2013. Anita discusses her journey from retail to sports, the impact of mentorship, and the Astros' incredible turnaround, offering valuable insights on leadership and the power of staying curious.
24 Feb 2025
Janette Marx on Advancing Your Career
In this episode of Rise to the Top, Janette Marx, CEO of Airswift, shares key strategies for advancing your career, including succession planning and how leveraging volunteer work within your organization can help you grow, connect, and stand out
28 Jan 2025
How Self-Limitations and Inclusion Shape Success
For over 25 years, Margaret Cooper has been a pivotal
leader in public affairs within the energy sector. Today, she oversees Chevron’s stakeholder engagement efforts across North and Latin America.
In this Rise to the Top episode, Margaret discusses overcoming self-imposed limits, navigating motherhood while growing a career, and the power of inclusion.
17 Dec 2024
Ep 16: Aundrea Young, Competitive Choice
In this episode of the Greater Houston Partnership (https://www.houston.org/)'s Rise to the Top podcast, we speak with Aundrea Young, President and Chief Executive Officer of Competitive Choice.
Host and Partnership Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Katie Pryor talks with Aundrea about how cultivating relationships has been central to her resilience and leadership style.
Launched in 2021, the Greater Houston Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast aims to amplify the insight of accomplished female leaders in the Houston region.
13 Nov 2024
Ep 15: Gretchen Sheirr, Houston Rockets
In this episode of the Greater Houston Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast, we're speaking with Gretchen Sheirr, President of Business Operations of the Houston Rockets. She runs the day-to-day business operations of Houston’s beloved team.
Host and Partnership Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Katie Pryor talks with Gretchen about her career journey and how athletics shaped her leadership.
Launched in 2021, the Greater Houston Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast aims to amplify the insight of accomplished female leaders in the Houston region.
25 Mar 2024
Ep 14: Amanda McMillian of United Way of Greater Houston
In this special episode of the Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast, we're speaking with Amanda McMillian, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Houston, live from the 13th annual Rise to the Top event. Before leading a nonprofit, Amanda served nearly 15 years in the oil and gas industry, where she was named one of the Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Oil & Gas by the National Diversity Council for three consecutive years.
Host and Partnership Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Katie Pryor talks with Amanda about her career journey, passion for the greater Houston community and how she navigates work and family life.
Launched in 2021, the Greater Houston Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast aims to amplify the insight of accomplished female leaders in the Houston region.
21 Aug 2023
Ep 13: Amy Chronis of Deloitte Houston
In this episode of the Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast, we're speaking with Amy Chronis, Vice Chair of US Energy & Chemicals and Managing Partner for Deloitte Houston. Amy has more than 30 years of experience serving public and private enterprises from emerging businesses to Fortune 500 companies.
Host and Partnership Chief Development Officer Katie Pryor talks with Amy about her career journey, her passion for the energy industry and how she's making an impact in the Houston community.
Launched in 2021, the Greater Houston Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast aims to amplify the insight of accomplished female leaders in the Houston region.
12 Apr 2023
Ep 12: Elizabeth Killinger of Reliant
In this episode of the Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast, we're speaking with Elizabeth Killinger, President of Reliant and Executive Vice President of NRG. Elizabeth has been with NRG for more than 20 years and is responsible for directing all aspects of NRG Home, which provides innovative residential power and gas services to millions of customers in the United States and Canada.
Host and Partnership Chief Development Officer Katie Pryor talks with Elizabeth about her career journey as a Houston native, her family life and how she's charting pathways for future generations.
Launched in 2021, the Greater Houston Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast aims to amplify the insight of accomplished female leaders in the Houston region.
13 Mar 2023
Ep. 11: Mary Vitek of Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council
In this episode of the Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast, we're speaking with Mary Vitek, CEO of Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council. Mary is responsible for one of the largest Girl Scout councils in the nation, which serves approximately 35,000 girls and 15,000 adults across 26 counties in Southeast Texas.
Host and Partnership Chief Development Officer Katie Pryor talks with Mary about her career journey, her family life and what drives her as a community leader.
Mary also shares some of the challenges young women are facing today.
Launched in 2021, the Greater Houston Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast aims to amplify the insight of accomplished female leaders in the Houston region.
28 Feb 2023
Ep. 10: Claudia Aguirre of BakerRipley
In this episode of the Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast, we're speaking with Claudia Aguirre, President and CEO of BakerRipley, one of the largest and most recognized nonprofit organizations in the nation. We explore Claudia’s own career journey, her family life and what drives her as a community leader.
Host and Partnership Chief Development Officer Katie Pryor also talks with Claudia about the critical services Houston-based BakerRipley provides in our region and how the organization has grown in recent years.
Other topics include some of the challenges Houston faces that the nonprofit works to address and what specific moment in Claudia's childhood prepared her for a life of servant leadership.
Launched in 2021, the Greater Houston Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast aims to amplify the insight of accomplished female leaders in the Houston region.
17 Jan 2023
Ep. 9: Lesia Crumpton-Young of Texas Southern University
In this episode of the Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast, we're talking to Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young, President of Texas Southern University. We explore TSU’s 90-plus-year journey from junior college to one of the most respected universities in our region and Lesia’s appointment to lead the prestigious institution.
Host and Partnership Chief Development Officer Katie Pryor talks with Lesia about the higher education landscape in Houston, her personal journey in academia and what advice she has for the next generation of female professionals.
Other topics include the evolution of opportunities for Black women and the specific challenges facing the nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). We also learn about some of the Houston places and experiences that are special to Lesia as a newer Houstonian.
Launched in 2021, the Greater Houston Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast aims to amplify the insight of accomplished female leaders in the Houston region.
12 Dec 2022
Ep. 8: Esi Akinosho of Ernst & Young
In this episode of the Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast, we talk with Esi Akinosho, Houston office Managing Principal with Ernst & Young. Esi is an accomplished risk executive with more than 30 years in the industry, helping global clients across a diverse range of sectors with their Risk management needs.
Host and Partnership Chief Development Officer Katie Pryor talks with Esi about her passion for diversity in business and how she's assisted clients across the U.S, Europe and Africa in developing transformative solutions to increase effectiveness. We’re going to talk with Esi about her career journey, her unique upbringing, and working globally while balancing a family life.
Other topics include Esi's unique upbringing, how she has managed a challenging couple of years, and working globally while balancing a family life. We also learn about some of the Houston places and experiences that are special to Esi and what drives her as a leader.
Launched in 2021, the Greater Houston Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast aims to amplify the insight of accomplished female leaders in the Houston region.
15 Nov 2022
Ep. 7: Starlee Sykes of bp America
In this episode of the Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast, we talk with with Starlee Sykes, Senior Vice President for the Gulf of Mexico and Canada at bp America. Starlee is a well-respected leader in the energy industry with more than 20 years’ experience leading complex teams around the world. She’s also a committed mentor for women and active in the Houston nonprofit scene.
Host and Partnership Chief Development Officer Katie Pryor talks with Starlee about her career evolution, what it’s like to lead at a critical time in the energy sector and her family life.
Other topics include the increasing opportunities for women in energy, the transitions taking place in the industry and much more. We also learn about some of the Houston places and experiences that are special to Starlee and what drives her as a leader.
Launched in 2021, the Greater Houston Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast aims to amplify the insight of accomplished female leaders in the Houston region.
20 Sept 2022
Ep. 6: Brenda Hellyer of San Jacinto College
In this episode of the Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast, we talk with Dr. Brenda Hellyer, Chancellor of San Jacinto College.
Host and Partnership Chief Development Officer Katie Pryor talks to Brenda about the community college's role in providing affordable educational opportunities for Houston area young people while addressing the workforce needs of the region. The two also discuss Brenda's unique path to leading the institution with more than 30,000 students and five campuses.
Other topics include working to bridge workforce gaps, the larger role of community colleges and the future of San Jac. We also learn about some of the Houston places and experiences that are special to Brenda and her family.
Launched in 2021, the Greater Houston Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast aims to amplify the insight of accomplished female leaders in the Houston region.
21 Jul 2022
Ep. 5: Melanie Johnson of Collaborative for Children
In this episode of the Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast, we talk with Dr. Melanie Johnson, President and CEO of the nonprofit Collaborative for Children. Host and Partnership Chief Development Officer Katie Pryor chats with Melanie about the organization's work to provide relevant early educational opportunity to Houston's children. The two also discuss Melanie's experience helping lead several local institutions and her passion for education. Other topics include effective mentorship and prioritizing career and family. We also learn about some of the Houston places and experiences that are special to this extraordinary professional.
9 Jun 2022
Ep. 4: Julie Sudduth of PNC Bank
In this episode of the Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast, we talk with Julie Sudduth, Regional President of PNC Bank, Houston. Host and Partnership Chief Development Officer Katie Pryor discusses PNC's entrance into the Houston market with Julie as well as the bank's involvement in the local community. The conversation also hits on Julie's career trajectory as an early banking executive and the risks taken to gain a leadership position in a highly competitive industry as a young mother. We also learn about some of the Houston places and experiences that are special to this fifth-generation native.
20 Dec 2021
Ep. 3: Ann Stern of Houston Endowment
In this episode of the Greater Houston Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast, we talk with Ann Stern, President and CEO of Houston Endowment. We discuss Houston Endowment's mission and multifaceted work in the Houston community as well as how Ann's personal career trajectory positioned her to lead the foundation. Ann also shares some advice for aspiring female professionals and we discuss some of her favorite places in Houston. Join our host and Partnership Chair Amy Chronis for this exciting conversation with Ann Stern.
28 Sept 2021
Ep. 2: Renu Khator of the University of Houston
In this episode of the Greater Houston Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast, we talk with Renu Khator, Chancellor of the University of Houston System and President of the University of Houston. We discuss UH’s meteoric rise in recent years, how the university is preparing for the future of its students and our region, as well as Renu’s personal journey to the position she’s held now since 2008. We'll also learn about some of the UH leader's favorite spots in Houston! Join our host and Partnership Chair Amy Chronis for this exciting conversation with Renu Khator.
26 Aug 2021
Ep. 1: Gretchen Watkins of Shell Oil Company
In this inaugural episode of the Greater Houston Partnership's Rise to the Top podcast, we talk with Gretchen Watkins, President of Shell Oil Company about her career journey, what it means to be a working female executive and how women leaders can help elevate the next generation of young professional women. We'll also learn about some of Gretchen's favorite spots in Houston! Join our host and Partnership Chair Amy Chronis for this exciting conversation with Gretchen Watkins.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
591,151
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.2 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
29
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
31
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