Join event chair June Deadrick for the 2025 Leading Ladies Luncheon! This annual event is a celebration of community, creativity, and impact.

We are excited to announce all of the 2025 honorees for the Leading Ladies Luncheon!

This year, we are proud to honor Shelly Mulanax, the recipient of the Shirley Stein Outstanding Champion in the Arts and Education Award, for her remarkable contributions to the arts and education in Houston.

Shelly Mulanax epitomizes the spirit of service. A lifelong Houstonian, Shelly has served on the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Board of Directors for over 30 years, lending her talents to committees such as Art Show, Grand Entry, Special Children’s, and Mutton Bustin’. Her contributions extend to the Children’s Museum of Houston, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, and the R.E. “Bob” and Vivian L. Smith Foundation, as well as over two decades of service on the TUTS Board of Directors.

The 2025 Arts Educator of the Year Award is going to Jennifer Bauer-Conley! She moved to Houston in 2010 to join The Emery/Weiner School as the Director of Fine Arts, bringing with her a rich background in professional theatre from her home state of Maine and New York City.

The 2025 Community Volunteer of the Year is Kim Nguyen-Coleman! Her journey with Theatre Under The Stars began over nine years ago through her daughter’s love of musical theatre. A scientist by training, she recognized the value of strong technical education and found that in the Humphreys School of Musical Theatre.

Learn more about our 2025 honorees in their bios below, and register for the Luncheon today!

2025 Leading Ladies Luncheon Honorees

Shelly Mulanax
2025 Shirley Stein Outstanding Champion in the Arts and Education

Shelly Mulanax exemplifies the essence of community leadership and generosity. A third-generation Houstonian, she has devoted more than 30 years to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Board of Directors, contributing her expertise to committees such as Grand Entry, Special Children’s, Tours, Trailblazers, Paint Horse, and Mutton Bustin’. Her influence extends to the Children’s Museum of Houston, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, and the R.E. “Bob” and Vivian L. Smith Foundation. For over two decades, Shelly has also served as a valued member of the Theatre Under The Stars Board of Directors. Inspired by her parents, Mimi and Thomas Dompier, and her grandparents, Vivian and Bob Smith, Shelly has carried forward a proud legacy of philanthropy and civic engagement. A lifelong lover of theatre and the arts, Shelly attended Lone Star College and graduated from Houston Community College with a degree in Fine Arts. She and her husband, Jerome, have been married for 29 years and are the proud parents of Allie, Abbie, and Cameron.

Jennifer Bauer-Conley
2025 Arts Educator of the Year
Jennifer Bauer-Conley or “JBC” moved to Houston in 2010 to join The Emery/Weiner School as the Director of Fine Arts, bringing with her a rich background in professional theatre from her home state of Maine and New York City. JBC has directed and choreographed over 275 productions, adjudicated national high school theatre competitions, and serves as an artistic staff member at Stagedoor Manor while mentoring students on Broadway and in film. A multi-award-winning educator, she was honored by Playbill in 2016 as one of the 10 Teachers Shaping Broadway. When not immersed in theatre, she cherishes time with her husband and two daughters, visits loved ones in the Northeast, and supports local arts.

Kim Nguyen-Coleman
2025 Community Volunteer of the Year

Kim Nguyen-Coleman’s journey with Theatre Under The Stars began over nine years ago through her daughter’s love of musical theatre. A scientist by training, she recognized the value of strong technical education and found that in the Humphreys School of Musical Theatre. With no prior theatre experience, she immersed herself in learning and volunteering, guided by her Vietnamese heritage and Christian faith, which emphasize mutual support and giving back. Known affectionately as “Mama Kim” by HSMT students, she is a dedicated advocate for TUTS Education, fostering a caring and supportive community. A longtime member of TUTS Leading Ladies and current Volunteer Chair, her outgoing and generous spirit makes her a sought-after volunteer. Kim is grateful for the support of her husband, Lewis, their daughter, Mabyn, and their dog, Albus, who inspire her commitment to service.”

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To see all event photos, click here. 

Special thanks to Tony’s, Priscilla Dickson Photography, Texas Business Theatre, and Uplifted Concepts for their support of this event, as well as J. Landa Jewelry and LUCHO Ladies Shoes. 

Thank you to our event sponsors: The Stein Family, ConocoPhillips, Patrice Baumann McKinney and Jay Landa, Amy & Rob Pierce, Marsha & David Taylor, The Underwood Family, June Deadrick, Demetra & Frank Jones, Lu Ann Stella Katz, Donna Vallone – Tony’s Restaurant, April & Wells McGee, FORVIS Private Client™, Leading Strong, Smart, and Bold Friends, The Leibman Family, LUCHO Ladies Shoes, Pierpont Communications, Inc., Andi Raizner, Cheryl Golub, and Donna Glass, and Julie & Joel Schweers. 

Thank you to our auction donors: 4th Wall Theatre Company, All We Need Farm, Chloé, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, June Deadrick, Dessert Gallery Bakery & Cafe, Guard and Grace, Hamilton Shirts, Houston Astros Foundation, Houston Axe Throwing, Kendra Scott, Local Foods, Lone Star Sports and Entertainment, LUCHO, Main Street Theater, Manready Mercantile, Messina Hof, Amy & Rob Pierce, Piermarini, Andi Raizner, Robin Jackson Photography, Stages, The Leaning Pear, and Total Wine & More. 

PAST HONOREES

Shirley Stein Outstanding Champion in the Arts and Education

• Donna Vallone (2024)
• Paula Harris (2023)
• Cissy Segall Davis (2022)
• Carrie Woliver (2021)
• *Shirley Stein z”I (2019)

Educator of the Year

• Rosie Curtis, Kinder HSPVA (2024)
• Justin Doran, St. Francis Episcopal High School (2023)
• Melanie Bivens, International Leadership of Texas Charter School (2022)
• Kristina Sullivan, Queensbury Theater (2021)
• Roshunda Jones-Koumba, G.W. Carver Magnet High School (2019) 

Volunteer of the Year

• Julie Schweers (2024)
• Jennifer Lamb (2023)
• Dawn Neal (2022)
• Liese Kelly, Gia Ochsenbein, and Alyssa Sunew (2021)
• Dawn Powers (2019)

*Shirley Stein z”l was the first and greatest Leading Lady at Theatre Under The Stars. Shirley dedicated her life to what she loved most, her beloved family and friends, and her passion for the arts and arts education. TUTS was blessed that Shirley believed in our mission and for all the unconditional support, fierce loyalty, and contagious enthusiasm she gave our organization. As a true champion of the arts, the Leading Ladies honor her legacy with “The Shirley Stein Outstanding Champion in the Arts and Arts Education” to encourage other outstanding women in our community to step forward in bold ways to make a lasting impact for Houston’s arts and arts education.

Leading Ladies enjoy meaningful and exclusive TUTS experiences through social events, volunteer needs, leadership development, philanthropy, and members-only perks. For more information about TUTS Leading Ladies, click here.