Genesys Works’ Cocktails and Conversation event brought together business and community leaders for a casual evening of networking and celebration on Thursday, March 28, 2019 at the Coronado Club, an elegant private dining club located in a landmark building in downtown Houston. The intimate, invitation-only event hosted by board member Bob Flexon was an opportunity for guests to meet Genesys Works’ new CEO, David Williams, hear about his plans for future growth and learn how they can help the organization open doors for more Houston-area youth. Williams was announced as Genesys Works’ new CEO on Nov. 1, 2018. Since taking over at the start of 2019, he has been met with tremendous support by the Houston community.
Among those in attendance were Genesys Works Houston Executive Director, Katherine Taylor, and Genesys Works Houston board members Evan Kirchen, Richard Huseinni, Bob Flexon, Jerry Lasco, Gene Janiszewski, Liz Sweigart, Jesse Carrillo, and Adam Barth. Genesys Works alumni, James Beeks, Yvonne Betancourt, and Zachary Patton, were also present, adding a special touch to the evening.
Williams brings over 30 years of experience leading large nonprofit organizations, including Habitat for Humanity International, The Houston Food Bank, and most recently, as President and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. When asked why he came to Genesys Works, he has said previously, “I’ve chosen to join Genesys Works because the program is doing more than simply putting a band-aid on a problem – it’s addressing some of the root causes of economic inequality by helping our education and business communities work together to provide impactful work-based learning opportunities for our country’s youth.”
Cocktails and Conversation is a multi-city event series to introduce Williams to the communities in which the Geneys Works program currently operates, including Houston, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Chicago, the San Francisco Bay Area, the National Capital Region, and beginning in 2019, New York City. To donate to the program, email Fred Brieden at fbrieden@genesysworks.org. To host a young professional, email Alejandro Colom at acolom@genesysworks.org.
