Lynn Wyatt Takes a Full Diva Bow, Draws Thunderous Applause at National Philanthropy Day

The ever-effervescent Lynn Wyatt was so taken by the thunderous applause and standing ovation granted her by the throng attending the National Philanthropy Day luncheon that she was moved to make a full-on curtsy, or some might say a diva bow. It was a move that only further inspired the enthusiasm for the recipient of the prestigious Maurice Hirsch Award for Philanthropy.

La Wyatt was not alone in receiving the zealous love from the philanthropic-minded crowd numbering 900. Generous philanthropist Kathrin McGovern was also gifted with a standing ovation in the ballroom of the Hilton Americas-Houston where she accepted the Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation Award on behalf the John P. McGovern Foundation, which under her lead has been uber generous in various corners of the city.

And so it was that yet another group of the city’s distinguished citizens and organizations were tapped with honors from the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Houston Chapter. Last year’s Maurice Hirsch Award recipients Phoebe and Bobby Tudor returned to serve as honorary chairs, joining Phillips 66, honorary corporate chair, in the spotlight.

Heading the day’s fundraising effort, a handsome $260,000 earned, was luncheon chair Amy S. Lampi, Theatre Under the Stars director of development, and co-chair Kate Yadan, director of development for Teen and Family Services. Joining the party were A-list civic, cultural and business leaders.

Awards were presented to Jim Postl as Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser; Darrow Zeidenstein, recipient of the Byron Welch Award for Lifetime Achievement in Fundraising award; Melissa Simon, recipient of the M. Anne Murphy Award for Professional Advancement; the Houston Alumnae chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta as Outstanding Community Service Organization; Tenenbaum Jewelers, recipient of the Houston Business Journal Corporate Philanthropy Award, small corporation; Bank of America recipient of the Houston Business Journal Corporate Philanthropy Award, large corporation; Stages, recipient of the Outstanding Fundraising Program award; and Reaghan Velasquez of the Yellow Out Campaign, recipient of the Youth in Philanthropy Award.

PC Seen: Barbara Hines, Tony Bradfield, Leticia and Steve Trauber, Chree Boydstun, Elizabeth and Anthony DeLuca, Jim Nelson, Gregory Robertson, Perryn Leech, George Lancaster, Joella and Steve Mach, Marilu Garza, Zina Garrison, Ginni Mithoff, Sally and Phillip Edmundson, Jillian Day, Jim Crownover, Cabrina and Steve Owsley, and Cynthia Petrello.