Top 10 People of The Year 2026!
As we begin this year with hope and faith wrapping up another chapter, we are delighted to reveal our Annual LCAHouston Top 10 2026 People of the Year!
Harper Watters
Born in New Hampshire and raised in Dover, Harper Watters discovered his passion for dance at a young age, training with the Portsmouth School of Ballet before pursuing his studies at the Walnut Hill School for the Arts and later joining the Houston Ballet Academy. What began as a dream at the barre has become a trailblazing career on some of the world’s greatest stages.
As a member of Houston Ballet, Harper has performed leading roles in works by some of the most acclaimed choreographers of our time, from world premieres to beloved classics, and has represented the company in tours across Japan, Australia, Canada, and Germany. In 2024, his artistry and dedication were recognized with his historic promotion to Principal Dancer—making him the first African American male Principal in the company’s history, a milestone celebrated nationally on NBC’s Today Show.
Beyond the stage, Harper has brought ballet into new arenas of visibility, starring in fashion campaigns with Ralph Lauren, Abercrombie & Fitch, and MAC Cosmetics, and using his ever-growing social media platforms to redefine what it means to be a dancer in the 21st century. His digital presence—reaching audiences in the hundreds of thousands—has been widely featured and written about as a bridge between high art and popular culture.
Harper’s commitment extends deeply into advocacy and community. In 2024, he served as Chair of the Montrose Center Gala, raising critical support for LGBTQ+ Houstonians, and he continues to be a passionate voice for representation, equity, and visibility both in and outside the dance world.
Through it all, Harper credits the city of Houston for shaping his career and inspiring his journey. He often says that the support, love, and energy of this city fuel his drive to keep pushing boundaries—not just for himself, but for the generations of dancers and dreamers to come.
Photo Credit | Photo credit Houston Ballet Society
Mary Frances Foster
Mary was born in Midland Texas and attended Trinity School in grade school along with several other schools in Midland such as Midland High School.
Because she met the love of her life in Houston, Donald DeSimone, Mary re-established her home back to Houston over a decade ago. Mary’s Texas roots run deep as she is a 5th generation Texan. She graduated with a BS in Psychology from Texas A & M in College Station and started her first job with the then rated Fortune 1 company, Merck Pharmaceuticals. She transitioned into the financial industry and remained in finance for over 20 years working at several major broker dealers on Wall Street in numerous capacities such as Mutual Funds, Institutional High Yield/Equities/Municipals/High Corporate Debit/Pre IPOs or 144A’s/Options/Structures Commodities/Institutional Equities overseas transactions such as the Chinese market/etc. with over 5 securities licenses.
Mary and her husband, Donald DeSimone have been married over 12 years and are thrilled to be expecting their first grandchild, Elizabeth Booth in May 2025.
Mary has contributed to numerous philanthropic organizations in either a volunteer capacity, member/ participant and/or as a charitable donor. Just some of the many organizations Mary has supported: Special Olympics Donor, Sunday school teacher at Christ the King Church in Dallas, Houston Symphony League, The Menil Collection Patron, Bo’s Place Houston, New York Metropolitan Opera, St. Anne’s Catholic Church Choir, Bellaire Police & Fire Department Foundation, Houston Grand Opera Young Patron Circle, HALO House Foundation, St. Jude Donor, The 100 Club Member/Fund raiser donor, Habitat for Humanity, just to name a few.
Lukkaew Srasrisuwan
Lukkaew Srasrisuwan is Co-Owner of Kin Dee Thai Cuisine and MaKiin. Lukkaew grew up in the south of Thailand in the Nakhon Si Thammarat on the Gulf. Raised in a family that worked in the hospitality industry the Srasrisuwans operated prominent hotels and restaurants.
Lukkaew quickly found herself helping the family business from a young age in the areas of customer service and management as well as involvement in marketing initiatives.
In 2004, Lukkaew decided to separate from the family business and began working in oil & gas for Schlumberger as a field engineer in Thailand. Proving to be as adept at her new profession as she was at helping her family run their business, Srasrisuwan quickly worked her way up the corporate ladder.
In 2019, Lukkaew began cooking up a business model to start her second concept; MaKiin (pronounced Ma-kin) – an upscale Thai restaurant with a focus on authenticity, stylish presentation, and Thai culinary art. MaKiin will take over the ground level of luxury high-rise Hanover River Oaks at 2651 Kipling Street, Suite 101.
In her free time, Lukkaew, enjoys dinning an active adventure junkie, enjoys activities that get her adrenaline pumping. Racing motorcycles is one of her favorite passions, something she brought with her from Thailand, and now races recreationally all over the state.
Tammie Johnson
Tammie’s Houston roots run deep. She graduated with a BS in Psychology from The University of Houston, 2008 and a Masters in Liberal Studies from Rice University, 2015. Because of her educational background and her love of the Houston community, Tammie enjoys helping the underserved of Houston. During graduate school at Rice University, Tammie worked as a volunteer at Freedom Place to teach rescued sex trafficked minors Independent Living Skills. She also worked as a volunteer with Redeemed Ministries for two years helping sex trafficked victims. During graduate school, Tammie conducted a study with domestic minor sex trafficked victims, and this study was published.
Tammie’s Psychology background and Social Science background have been a foundation for her commitment to helping those in need—especially children. Because Tammie’s greatest passion is to help others, she gives selflessly of her time, abilities and resources to many worthy causes some of which include KNOW Autism, March of Dimes, Crohn’s and Colitis, Recipe for Success, Crime Stoppers, The Women’s Home, Children at Risk, Deck My Room and many others. 2025 made headlines as she Co Chaired the LCAHouston Inaugural Golden Awards Diwali Gala.
Dr. Mirwat Sami
Dr. Mirwat Sami is the embodiment of grace, strength, and excellence — a woman who balances the delicate art of facial surgery with the even more delicate role of motherhood. As one of Houston’s leading oculofacial plastic surgeons and the founder of Houston Oculofacial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Sami has built a reputation for her refined surgical skill, artistic eye, and compassionate care.
Beyond her professional accolades, Dr. Sami is a proud wife and mother of three. Her days are a blend of consults and school sports, surgeries and science projects— a rhythm she embraces with heart and hustle. Whether she’s leading her team, mentoring young women in medicine, or planning a family trip, she brings the same intentionality and love to everything she does.
She is also actively involved in community outreach and medical education. Her journey is a testament to the power of purpose and passion.
Dr. Shehzad Sami
Dr. Shehzad Sami is a multi–board-certified cardiologist with more than two decades of clinical experience. He is widely recognized for his expertise in preventive cardiology, advanced imaging, and interventional treatment.
Dr. Sami earned his medical degree from the Aga Khan University Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan, before completing his residency and fellowship training in the United States. His career has been defined by a dedication to combining the best of evidence-based medicine with innovation and compassion in patient care.
As founder of Houston Cardiovascular Institute, Dr. Sami leads a practice designed to deliver comprehensive cardiovascular services in a personalized and accessible setting. His areas of focus include coronary calcium scoring, echocardiography, PET and nuclear imaging, advanced risk assessment, and complex coronary and vascular interventions.
In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Sami has contributed to medical education and research, publishing and presenting on topics related to imaging, prevention, and early detection of heart disease. He lectures frequently on cardiovascular risk reduction and serves as a mentor to physicians in training.
Beyond medicine, Dr. Sami values time with his wife and children and enjoys pursuing interests in technology, innovation, and community service.
Winell Herron
H-E-B Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Diversity and Environmental Affairs, Winell Herron a native of Austin, Texas has made Houston her home for more than a decade leading H-E-B’s public affairs, diversity and environmental affairs initiatives throughout Texas and Mexico. She also directs the company’s philanthropic efforts to support hunger relief, education, disaster relief, the arts, sustainability and more.
Winell actively serves the community through her role on numerous boards.
Heidi Turney
Heidi Turney serves as the Vice President and General Manager of Saks Fifth Avenue in Houston, Texas, and Neiman Marcus in Austin, Texas. A seasoned and dynamic leader, Heidi began her career with Saks in 2018 as an Assistant General Manager in Houston, where she quickly demonstrated her ability to drive results and foster excellence. Over the last six years, Heidi has held numerous leadership positions within the Saks Global organization.
Heidi has fully immersed herself in Houston’s philanthropic community, supporting numerous organizations and initiatives that align with the Saks Global commitment to giving back. Her leadership has helped advance causes championed by organizations such as KnowAutism, Houston Symphony, Houston Ballet, Latin Women’s Initiative, and many more.
With a passion for community engagement and elevating the Saks Fifth Avenue brand, Heidi is dedicated to strengthening relationships between Saks and the communities it serves.
Her professional and philanthropic efforts reflect her commitment to leadership, excellence, and making a meaningful impact both in her work and in the greater Houston area.
Pandit Suman Ghosh
An internationally acclaimed Indian Classical Virtuoso and one of the most celebrated torchbearers of the Legendary Stalwart Pandit Jasraj, Pandit Suman Ghosh was initially groomed by his mother Smt. Monika Ghosh. His music also has the rare confluence of training by iconic Guru, Pandit Jnan Prakash Ghosh and Pandit Shrikant Bakre, a worthy successor of Ustad Amir Khan. He is uniquely recognized as the leading torchbearer of two pillars of Indian Classical Music.
Over the decades, his mellifluous voice, soul-stirring artistry and technical perfection enthrall audiences and receive rave reviews worldwide at many prestigious music conferences. India’s largest circulating daily, Times of India, described his concert as “..Musical Bliss.”
A Lifetime Achievement Awardee, PanditJi is perhaps the only Indian Classical Musician who has been invited to the Presidential residences of both the USA and India: the White House and Rashtrapati Bhavan. He had the rare honor of rendering “Vande Mataram’ at a joint session of Parliament, on India’s 50th Independence Day.
The Governor of Texas, Gregg Abott, the New York State Senate, cities of Sugar Land and Stafford and the Sundance Film Festival are among those who have honored Pandit Ghosh’s unique and unmatched contributions. The day of his arrival in Houston was declared ‘Pandit Suman Ghosh Day’ by Mayor Sylvester Turner who thanked him for helping put Houston on the cultural map of the world.
An extraordinary Performer, brilliant Composer and an Ethnomusicologist, Pandit Suman Ghosh is also a path- finding Guru. He has created an unparalleled institution – the Center for Indian Classical Music of Houston – where Music, Musicians and Music lovers unite. Similarly, Saadhana Pariwar – the Gurukul founded by Pandit Ghosh, is truly a place where tradition opens its door to the future.
Dave Ward
On behalf of LCAHouston International Society Magazine our heart goes out to honor and recognize this incredible man as most certainly the Top Person of the Year and Houston: A Legend A Legacy Dave Ward who passed away just a few weeks ago. He was very dear to the city and also to LCAHOUSTON as he graced the cover of our print edition in 2018.
