Marian Cabanillas (’94) has been named by The Houston Business Journal as one of 90 honorees for the 2023 Women Who Mean Business Awards, recognizing women in leadership roles who have demonstrated excellence in their careers and community. 

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you? 

 I am passionate about urban gardening, and I have a menagerie of animals, including dogs, bees, and hens. Being a beekeeper and tending to their hives has deepened my appreciation for nature, but has also taught me important lessons in patience, teamwork, and ecosystem dynamics.

What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to do? 

Navigating the complex and often emotionally demanding terrain of health care, particularly when it comes to family and friends. Assisting people near and dear to me in confronting their health care battles, especially in the realm of cancer, has been humbling and arduous.

Lana Muranovic (’10) has been named by The Houston Business Journal as one of 90 honorees for the 2023 Women Who Mean Business Awards, recognizing women in leadership roles who have demonstrated excellence in their careers and community.

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?

One thing many people might not know upon first meeting me is that I, along with my parents and brother, came to the United States as a refugee from war-torn Bosnia and Herzegovina when I was 8 years old.

What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to do?

Battling early stage breast cancer, particularly while trying to be a present mom to my 2-year-old toddler, is easily the most difficult thing I’ve had to do.

Nicole Perry (’06) has been named by The Houston Business Journal as one of 90 honorees for the 2023 Women Who Mean Business Awards, recognizing women in leadership roles who have demonstrated excellence in their careers and community. 

 What’s one thing most people don’t know about you? 

 I have been working since I was 11 years old. I initially worked as a baby sitter for the neighborhood children, including my husbands sister who is 13 years younger than me.

What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to do? 

In 2014, I was asked to work out of Jones Day’s Hong Kong office for 10 weeks in connection with a significant client matter. Thank goodness for advancements in technology as I was able to facetime with my husband and children everyday, and I regularly received videos of the kids.

Andrea Steel (’09) has been named by The Houston Business Journal as one of 90 honorees for the 2023 Women Who Mean Business Awards, recognizing women in leadership roles who have demonstrated excellence in their careers and community. 

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you? 

 Most people have no Idea I turned my life around from a misguided youth living dangerously at-risk which led to my being placed in an alternative school for two years during middle school and high school, ultimately saving my life.

What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to do? 

I’ve had to do some incredibly difficult things in my life – more than I can count – and am currently struggling through some of the most challenging days yet. Often times the most difficult thing I’ve had to do is to keep going despite it all. In short, adulting.

DeAndrea Washington (’09) has been named by The Houston Business Journal as one of 90 honorees for the 2023 Women Who Mean Business Awards, recognizing women in leadership roles who have demonstrated excellence in their careers and community. 

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you? 

 I’ve never been to Vegas and I’m an introvert at heart

What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to do? 

My biggest personal challenge was losing my best friend Cora Faith Walker last year when she passed away unexpectedly in March 2022. Cora and I shared so many goals and dreams involving advocacy and representing the unrepresented. We attended college together at Washington University in St. Louis, attended law school together – albeit at different schools – and ultimately became fierce legal advocates together until Cora’s untimely death at the young age of 37.

Neha Naik (’02) has been named by The Houston Business Journal as one of 90 honorees for the 2023 Women Who Mean Business Awards, recognizing women in leadership roles who have demonstrated excellence in their careers and community. 

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you? 

 I am actually an introvert. Yes, I can talk and give speeches, but most days I’d rather work in my pajamas and not have a ton of social interaction. I also love to run.

What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to do? 

The most difficult thing I’ve had to do was quit medical school. It was no longer something that aligned with my long term goals and vision for myself. I am glad I did it, but it cam as a shock to my family and me.

Shannon Bedinger (’05) has been named by The Houston Business Journal as one of 90 honorees for the 2023 Women Who Mean Business Awards, recognizing women in leadership roles who have demonstrated excellence in their careers and community. 

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you? 

 I love to play poker. People tend to underestimate me when I get out to the table, but I usually take them all out.

What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to do? 

Balancing my career and personal life. Being a working mom is not for the faint of heart.

Helena Finley (’89) has been named by The Houston Business Journal as one of 90 honorees for the 2023 Women Who Mean Business Awards, recognizing women in leadership roles who have demonstrated excellence in their careers and community. 

What’s one thing most people don’t know about you? 

 I would have represented South Africa in the Olympics if I had not been born during South Africa’s apartheid era when South Africa was banned from competing.

What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to do? 

Managing the startup of a multifamily development and construction company.