The Greater San Antonio Chamber will honor six exceptional women leaders who have made a transformative impact on the region at the upcoming Mary Rose Brown Tribute to Women Business Leaders. The awards luncheon, presented by PNC, will take place Tuesday, May 12, at the Grand Hyatt River Walk.
State Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins will receive the Legacy Award in recognition of her lifetime of service to San Antonio. A legislator, educator and community builder, she has advanced initiatives in education, economic development and public service, including securing millions in community investments for San Antonio. Alongside her brother, former Spurs player George Gervin, she co-founded the George Gervin Youth Center and George Gervin Academy, one of Texas’ earliest charter schools, which today reports graduation rates nearing 90 percent.
Roxanne Orsak, President and Chief Operating Officer of H-E-B, will receive the Executive Award for Large Business. Orsak has built a remarkable career at H-E-B, rising from a store management trainee to become the company’s first woman president in its 120-year history. She has helped shape the company’s growth and innovation, launching major store formats and leading across nearly every area of the business. Beyond her corporate achievements, she is also a dedicated community leader who has raised more than $1 million to support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Katie Harvey, CEO of K Harvey Brand Partners, will be recognized with the Brenda Vickrey Johnson Award for Small Business. Over the past 30 years, Harvey has grown the firm into one of the largest woman-owned, full-service communications and marketing agencies in Texas, playing a key role in major civic and economic initiatives. Her work has supported transformational projects such as the Howard Peak Greenway Trails, Pre-K 4 SA and the Vista Ridge pipeline. She is also a prominent civic leader, having served as Board Chair of the Greater San Antonio Chamber and as a member of numerous nonprofit boards.
Laura Cabanilla, Director of Corporate Responsibility at USAA and Chair of VIA Metropolitan Transit, will receive the Freedom Award. Cabanilla has led multimillion-dollar philanthropic initiatives supporting military families, education and economic mobility. Her leadership includes advancing the Gateway to Graduation scholarship, supporting AI-focused education at UTSA, and helping lead Face the Fight, a national effort to combat veteran suicide. As VIA Board Chair, she is helping expand equitable transportation options and improve mobility for underserved communities.
Brandy Ralston-Lint, Executive Vice President of Community and Media Relations at Security Service Federal Credit Union, will receive the Hope Award. She oversees the organization’s philanthropic strategy, including donations, volunteer programs and nonprofit partnerships addressing critical community needs. Beyond her professional role, she has served in leadership positions with the United Way and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and has helped raise record funding for childcare scholarships through her work as Chair of Women United.
Julie Bedingfield, Vice President of Community Engagement and Communications at the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation, will receive the Promise Award. Bedingfield helps guide strategic investments that support vulnerable populations and strengthen community well-being across the region. She serves on the boards of the University Health System Foundation and Celebrate Dyslexia and as an Advisor for Women United. As Co-Chair of the Power of the Purse fundraiser, Bedingfield has helped take that event to the next level, setting new records for fundraising.
The selection of these outstanding honorees was overseen by an independent selection committee, chaired by Blakely Fernandez, a Partner with Bracewell and a former Tribute honoree, and Jamie Kowalski, Vice President of Corporate Relations for The RK Group, and a former Tribute honoree and Greater San Antonio Chamber Executive Board Member. The committee carefully reviewed the nominations to identify outstanding individuals who exemplify the virtues and character inspiring greatness, both in their professional careers and personal lives.
“We had an extraordinary group of nominees—each deserving of recognition,” said Kowalski. “San Antonio is fortunate to have a community of women leaders who champion one another and work collaboratively to strengthen our city. Our honorees embody that spirit, creating opportunities and driving our region’s success.”
Fernandez added, “We are proud to recognize these exceptional women who are setting the standard for excellence in our community. Through their leadership, service and mentorship, they are not only advancing their organizations but also paving the way for the next generation of leaders.”
A Longstanding Tradition of Honoring Women Leaders
The Tribute was established in 2007 under the leadership of former Greater Chamber Board Chair Brenda Vickrey Johnson as part of a broader effort to elevate and celebrate women in business. Originally launched in partnership with the Ford Motor Company Fund during Women’s Opportunity Week, the program recognized outstanding leaders while supporting educational scholarships.
Today, the Tribute is one of the Chamber’s premier annual events, honoring excellence in leadership, entrepreneurship and community impact, and celebrating the growing influence of women shaping San Antonio’s economic and civic future. Past honorees include the late Hon. Ruth Jones McClendon, the late Mayor Lila Cockrell, former Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade, Rosemary Kowalski, Jane Macon, Dr. Adena Williams Loston, Janet Holliday, April Ancira, former Assistant City Manager Lori Houston, Dr. Lisa Campos, Aaronetta Pierce, and many other distinguished leaders.
Honoring the Legacy of Mary Rose Brown
In 2025, the Tribute was named in memory of Mary Rose Brown in recognition of her legacy of community service and business leadership. A dedicated volunteer and philanthropist, Brown was one of San Antonio’s highest-ranking women executives, serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of NuStar Energy. She also served as a longtime advisor and Secretary for the Haven for Hope Board of Directors, as Vice Chair of the board of The Center for Health Care Services, and as a board member of the Texas Business Hall of Fame, the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, the San Antonio Parks Foundation, and The Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.
“Brown touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of San Antonians – from those who worked at the companies she helped lead; to the families and individuals transforming their lives at Haven for Hope, which she helped found; to countless nonprofit organizations that she helped lead and raise millions of dollars for. The Tribute is the perfect way to honor Mary Rose’s legacy of mentoring other women and lifting up our community,” said Fernandez.
To learn more about the May 12th Tribute luncheon, scan the QR code in the graphic or visit www.sachamber.org/events/.