KidneyTexas Toasts to Fall Fashion and Philanthropy With Annual Runway Report at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas

A *well-heeled* crowd of charitable Dallasites recently gathered together at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, for KidneyTexas, Inc.’s signature fall fundraiser, Runway Report, a fashion show and luncheon. Spectacular florals in dazzling shades of fuchsia and magenta greeted guests as they perused silent auction items and took photos.

The event enables Dallas-based KidneyTexas to fulfill its mission of funding methods of treatment for kidney disease, searching for a cure, and developing provisions for those suffering from kidney disease. The funds stay in North Texas with beneficiaries Baylor Scott & White Health, Camp Reynal, Children’s Medical Center Foundation, Methodist Health System Foundation, and Southwest Transplant Alliance.

Last year, chair Allison Brodnax invited guests to make a “French Connection,” filling the day with Francophile delights that ranged from champagne and a chocolate tasting from Läderach to the French market-themed photo backdrop, with bicycles and baskets of fruit.

For the 27th Runway Report, Mother-daughter duo Therese Rourk and Courtney Rourk co-chaired this year’s event with a “Handbags & Heels” theme that delighted the brightly-frocked crowd, who happily pulled out their kitten-heeled Manolos and Dior Lady bags for the occasion. Susan Geyer served as honorary chair for this year’s Runway Report, which was presented by Sam and Helga Feldman Foundation/ Natalie and David Taylor and Baylor Scott & White Health. Returning once again, NBC5’s Laura Harris emceed the afternoon, guiding things along, as she always does, with such grace.

Underscoring the urgency of the organization’s mission, KidneyTexas President Fran Wittenberg shared a moving story about a friend who had to cancel attending Runway Report last-minute because her daughter was rushed to the hospital in renal failure and in dire need of a kidney transplant.  During the program, four individuals received awards. Nancy Greenbach (Sue Goodnight Award), Colby Hanks Baer (Community Award), Emilynn Wilson (Lifetime Achievement Award), and Angie Bullard (Everson Walls Award) were all recognized for their steadfast contributions to KidneyTexas. Finally, Rourk honored legendary Dallas fashion show producer (and former model herself!) Jan Strimple, honored guest, for her instrumental role in bringing the KidneyTexas fashion show to life in 2003 and for her years of loyal partnership since. Strimple appeared tickled watching the video montage of the past 20 years. 

In 2025, NorthPark Center partnered with KidneyTexas for the first time to present the fashion show, which Robyn Chauvin produced following Strimple’s retirement. Talk about a perfect pairing! As the main event (they don’t call it the “Runway Report” for nothing!), the fashion show featured looks from NorthPark retailers Nordstrom, St. John, Lucchese, Scanlan Theodore, and L’Agence, which recently opened at the Mothership. Like any good student, I followed along look-by-look, noting my favorites for upcoming events.

Now that the temperatures have finally eased, I’m feeling particularly inspired for fall fashion… and philanthropy. Thank you, KidneyTexas!

PC Seen: Anne Seanor, Donna Weitzman, Cindy Feld, Venetia Patout, Brianna Pearson, Nancy Greenbach, Kristen Gibbins, Tonya Trest, Katherine Sbaite, Reagan Pace, Cindy Hansen, Stacey Wiggins, Ashley Jackson, Carolyn Channel, Elizabeth St. Marie, Angie Bullard, Dallen Shields, Nikki Ramji, and Whitney Kutch.