Houston Woman Magazine recently recognized numerous women representing business, philanthropy and academia as part of its annual Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women, and Rice is home to two of those remarkable women.
Susan Christian, senior director of campus and community engagement and conference services, and Ruth Lopez Turley, professor of sociology and director of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research, were selected for their decades of work that have created positive outlets and outcomes for the community at large.
“Houston is home to countless successful women dedicated to enhancing our city’s quality of life,” Mayor John Whitmire wrote in the foreword of the 2024 issue. “The 50 women featured in the 2024 edition possess extensive social and professional networks and have earned distinguished reputations in their respective fields. These exceptional individuals are leaders and changemakers at home and in the office.”
“Susan Christian, a visionary leader with nearly four decades of dynamic stewardship working with seven city of Houston mayors, has transformed Houston’s cultural landscape into a nationally recognized hub for creativity and celebration,” the magazine reads. “As the recently retired director of the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, Christian’s imprint extends far beyond event planning, encompassing a holistic approach to community enrichment and talent development. Central to Christian’s strategy is her unwavering commitment to inclusivity. Under her guidance, serving as the city’s event producer for local and national events, the Civic Celebration Program blossomed into a year-round showcase of Houston’s rich cultural tapestry. From the iconic July Fourth Shell Freedom Over Texas celebration to the beloved H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade and neighborhood favorite Cigna Sunday in the Park, Christian curated platforms that not only entertained millions but also profiled emerging talents alongside established luminaries, giving them access to prestigious platforms and propelling their careers on the national stage.”
“Turley directs the Kinder Institute for Urban Research, which consists of five research centers that bring together data, research, engagement and action to improve lives,” the magazine reads. “In 2011, she founded one of those centers, the Houston Education Research Consortium, a partnership between Rice and 10 Houston-area school districts, aiming to improve educational equity by connecting research to policy and practice, which she directed from 2011 to 2022. She also founded the National Network of Education Research-Practice Partnerships, which connects and supports 78 partnerships between research institutions and education agencies throughout the country. In order to do research as a public good, she has raised over $80 million, so partner organizations do not have to pay for research. In 2022, President Joe Biden appointed her to the National Board for Education Sciences, which advises and approves priorities for the research arm of the U.S. Department of Education.”
Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women of 2024 is a diverse group, representing women of all ages, backgrounds and ethnicities. Read the full issue here.