They did not arrive the same way. Some came through boardrooms. Some through classrooms. Some through courtrooms, kitchens, council chambers, construction sites, and city streets. But on April 8, 2026 at The Fort Worth Club, they will gather under one banner, the Class of 2026 Great Women of Texas, a living testament to leadership, courage, and impact.
Jo Ellard leads the class as the 2026 Great Woman of Texas. This hotelier, rancher, and horsewoman of E F Holdings is a woman who understands both the grit of Texas soil and the precision of business strategy. The Legacy Award winner who has been at the helm of healthcare transformation is Lillie Biggins, former President of Texas Health Resources. Her steady leadership helped shape one of the state’s most respected health systems. Not far from her is the legacy of justice embodied in Dr. Opal Lee, the Civil Rights leader known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Her presence is a reminder that progress is built by those who refuse to stop walking forward.
Education and empowerment pulse through this class. Laneece Anderson strengthens young voices at Crowley ISD as a Student Engagement Specialist. Dr. Rachael Capua, VP for External Operations and Dean at Tarleton State University, bridges academia and community. Teresa Wagner, Associate Professor at UNT Health Fort Worth, shapes the next generation of healthcare leaders. And Stae Hall, CEO of iSALT, equips leaders with the tools to rise higher.
In the financial sector, vision meets stewardship. Ekua Anyanful, Founder and CEO of EA Wealth Management, builds generational stability. Shawna Dover, EVP and Chief Human Resources Officer at First Command Financial Services, leads with people at the center. Alyssa Guillory drives brand strategy as VP of Marketing at Unity One Credit Union, while Janice Spooner, SVP and Regional President at NBT Financial Bank, strengthens regional economies. Leah Scoggins, VP of Talent Operations at Higginbotham, ensures organizations grow with the right people in place.
Public service runs deep in this class. Rachel Arellano, Chief of Staff to Jeanette Martinez for the City of Fort Worth, operates at the nerve center of municipal leadership. Deborah Peoples, City Councilmember for District 5, serves her community with conviction. Deputy Chief Monica Martin of the Fort Worth Police Department stands as a pillar of public safety and reform. Romney Guy, VP of Workforce Development at Goodwill North Central Texas, creates pathways to employment and dignity.
Entrepreneurial fire burns brightly here. Christie Eckler of CME Consulting and Rebecca Montgomery of Montgomery Strategies use their talents to turn expertise into enterprise. Chef Deb Oxman, Founder and CEO of Savor Culinary Services, transforms flavor into a healthy eating experience. Rachel DeLira, Owner of Style FW, brings vision to life through her photography. Dana Compton drives growth as Director of Business Development at Ridgemont Commercial Construction. Erayne Gee-Hill, Founder and Principal of The Geenuine Article LLC, shapes narratives that move markets. Amanda Arizola, COO of CoACT, ensures missions become measurable actions.
Advocacy and justice are powerfully represented. Veronica Chavez-Law, Special Counsel at Duane Morris LLP, navigates complex legal landscapes. Aaryn Lamb, Executive Director and Attorney of Methodist Justice Ministry, fights for fairness with faith and resolve. Melissa Ice, Founder and Executive Director of The Net FW, extends compassion to those who need it most. And Dr. Di Sanchez, Chief Exceptional Officer of DAS HR Consulting, redefines workplace culture with humanity at the forefront.
Together, these women are executives and educators, strategists and servants, builders and bridge-makers. They are women who did not wait to be invited to the table; they built their own, expanded others, and pulled up more chairs.
The Class of 2026 Great Women of Texas is not simply a list of accomplishments. It is a declaration: leadership in the Fort Worth metroplex is bold, brilliant, and unmistakably female.
