Speakers

Marshall Moon comes to us as an experienced Rotarian, a 6 year Director, 9 year Rotarian, and a current Vice President.  He will share his experiecnes with a suburban Seattle club.  

Lisa Cook moved from Minnesota to Katy Texas,12 years ago and has been involved with Sleep in Heavenly Peace organization for 6 years.  Working to get kids in beds is a passion of hers.

Join Dr. Porshe Chiles McKay and Tiying Huang to learn how you can become a member of the International Friends Program at Rice University, where you are paired with international graduate level Rice students to welcome them to Houston and the diversity of our city.  

Dr. Porshe Chiles-McKay is a passionate educator, researcher, and leader with a Ph.D. in Agricultural Education and Communication, specializing in leadership and organizational development from the University of Florida. With over 14 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Chiles-McKay has worked across various fields, including international education, local government, and institutes of higher education. She now serves as the inaugural International Community Engagement and Events Specialist at Rice University. She is responsible for curating and managing events, programs, and branding for the Office of International Students and Scholars. She hails from Dallas and lives in Houston with her husband who is studying to be a doctor of chiropractic. 

Tiying Huang is the International Services Specialist with the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) at Rice University.  Originally from China, they've called Houston home since 2013 and join the OISS team in 2023.  Outside of work, they enjoy traveling with their family and exploring new experiences.  Her husband is a Rice alumnus, and they are indoctrinating their two kids to be the next generation of Owls!

 

Maggie Trendell

Executive Director, Mission Success 

 

Maggie Trendell is a dedicated educational leader with over 14 years of experience in Houston’s public education system. Currently serving as the Executive Director of Mission Success, she spearheads initiatives that combine academic support, athletics, wellness, and mentorship to empower economically disadvantaged youth. Under her leadership, Mission Success has achieved a 100% high school graduation and college acceptance rate among its students .  

 

Prior to her role at Mission Success, Maggie held key positions within the Houston Independent School District, including Magnet Coordinator and College Access Director. Her efforts have consistently focused on creating equitable educational opportunities and streamlining access to post-secondary pathways for all students . 

 

Maggie’s unwavering commitment to youth development and community empowerment continues to drive her mission of fostering success in every student she serves.