Since 1978, the Maura Women Helping Women Award has maintained its revered status as “the designation” for women who help other women. Established in 2013 to acknowledge breakthrough leadership exhibited by women under the age of 40, the Young Leader Award recognizes those who achieve success in a field, initiative or sector, and create paths of opportunity for other women to follow.
2014 Maura Women Helping Women Award Recipients:
Debbie Dudley Branson, Maura Award recipient, is a fourth generation attorney and a lawyer with the Law Offices of Frank L. Branson, PC. She has been recognized as one of the “Best Women Lawyers in Dallas” and one of the “Best Lawyers in Dallas” by D Magazine, as well as one of the “Texas Super Lawyers” by Texas Monthly, and is also listed among The Best Lawyers in America. Branson is the chair of the Parkland board of managers and is a past president of Dallas Women’s Foundation and the Texas Trial Lawyers Association. She has also served by Presidential appointment to the Federal Aviation Management Advisory Council and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation.
Lauren Embrey, Maura Award recipient, is the president and chief executive officer of the Embrey Family Foundation and the chief executive officer of Embrey Interests, Ltd. Embrey serves as vice chair of Women Moving Millions, a global contagion of committed, purposeful women making gifts of $1 million or more for the advancement of women and girls. She is also a board member of Dallas Film Society, Dallas Theater Center, the MS Foundation for Women and the Women’s Media Center in New York City and the Women’s Leadership Board of the Kennedy Center at Harvard University, among others.
Helen Holman, Maura Award recipient, is president of Helen Holman and Associates, LLC, which provides facilitation expertise to advance and strengthen the nonprofit sector. Respected for her notable professional and volunteer contributions for the past 20 years, Holman has maintained high-level leadership positions with numerous community organizations. She is currently involved with Family Compass, Texas Association for Infant Mental Health, VNA, Charter 100, Crystal Charity Ball and Women of St. Michael. Select past affiliations include Junior League of Dallas, Genesis Women’s Shelter, Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center and Texas Health Resources.
Retta Miller, Maura Award recipient, is a partner at Jackson Walker, L.L.P. Managing one of the largest litigation practice groups in Texas, Miller mentors female lawyers and dedicates her time to helping women and girls through professional and community service initiatives. Her civic and charitable activity includes board membership with Family Place, Dallas Women’s Foundation, Leadership Dallas, the Women’s Business Council and the Greater Dallas Chamber Women’s Business Conference.
Gauthami Vemula, Maura Award recipient, is the founder and managing partner at Color Me Safe, LLC, a consulting firm committed to protecting children and families of North Texas by offering guidance and solutions to child welfare and protection issues. Gauthami is actively