Empowering the Next Generation: The Village School at the Women Who Mean Business Awards

The ballroom buzzed with energy as the lights dimmed and applause roared. One by one, Houston’s most influential women took the stage to accept their awards. From founders, leaders, and innovators, each recipient has reshaped their industry across the city. Among the crowd sat The Village School representatives, taking in every moment at the Houston Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business Awards.

The event kicked off with representatives of The Village School arriving at the Marriott Marquis to represent the Entrepreneurship Diploma Program. Six faculty mentors, Patricia Elliston, Daisy Cao, Cassandra Riddle, Ginny Philips, Andrea Sealy, and Chevy Ferjuste set up The Village School’s table in the networking area outside of the ballroom.

Senior Entrepreneurship students at The Village School Salma Ortega, Isabel Chona, Maria Colacelli, Nina Koshy speaking with Patricia Elliston, Head of Entrepreneurship at The Village School. (Photo: Daisy Cao)

Senior students enrolled in the Entrepreneurship Diploma, Isabel Chona, Nina Koshy, Salma Ortega, and Maria Colacelli accompanied their instructors and set up their own side of the table, highlighting their respective businesses: Our Voices and Compost Heroes. Products were displayed along with brochures, website landing pages, and information cards to share with other women in business. “I loved being able to display my hard work and network with women who have paved the way for us in business!” said Salma Ortega, Chief Executive Officer of Compost Heroes.

Senior Entrepreneurship students at The Village School Salma Ortega, Isabel Chona, Maria Colacelli, Nina Koshy presenting in front of their table in the networking hall. (Photo: Daisy Cao)

Once the networking concluded, all attendees headed into the grand ballroom of the Marriott Marquis. The luncheon was held in a vibrant and bustling atmosphere that perfectly reflected the strength and elegance of the honorees. Pat Mann Phillips, chairman of the board of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, spoke in a “fireside chat” along with Traci Pelter, President of the Houston Business Journal, and shared meaningful lessons to all current and future business leaders, including personal anecdotes on what it meant to be a female leader in her field. Once the luncheon program wrapped up, the honorees were recognized. The Village School students were honored to present the honoree's gift bags and were recognized by event organizers for their enthusiasm and professionalism as young entrepreneurs. “Giving out the bags and being able to talk with each honoree was such a great opportunity, and I was so inspired to see fellow women in business be honored,” said Maria Colacelli, Chief Marketing Officer of Our Voices.

This event highlighted the power of representation. Seeing women support one another and uplift them reminded students that leadership is more than just success; it begins with collaboration, empathy, and confidence.

“It made me incredibly proud to see our students shining at the event. They were confident and articulate, the best representation of The Village School,” said Daisy Cao, marketing manager of The Village School, when asked about how the students represented the school within Houston’s business community

The Village School's representatives at their luncheon table, proudly representing their school! (Photo: Daisy Cao)

As the event came to a close, the students left with more than just memories - they left with lessons and inspiration that will shape their journey as future women in business. From learning the importance of mentorship from their own teachers to impromptu lessons from networking, this event exceeded expectations and created a lasting impact on all attendees. Experiences like the Women Who Mean Business Awards reaffirm The Village School’s mission of empowering students to break boundaries and think boldly.