Helping others suits Art Smith
Mikaila Adams, Associate Editor - OGFJ
It may have taken a “woman’s intuition” to introduce Art Smith, chairman and CEO of John S. Herold to the cause, but he quickly realized the value and devoted himself to the Houston chapter of Dress for Success. “I owe my introduction to Dress for Success Houston to my wife Janis.”
When the couple moved to Houston from Connecticut in 1998, Janis Smith wanted to continue her work with the Junior League and quickly joined the Houston chapter. Her work there took her to Dress for Success, where she volunteered as a “personal shopper.”
“Janis brought me to several DFSH functions which showcased the quality of the organization and the visible positive effect it has on its clients and the community,” he said.
Art Smith has been a DFSH board member since 2003. He currently chairs the organization’s finance committee and is slated to take over as chairman of the board in 2008. He assists in strategy and goal setting for the organization and has helped track the growth of the organization’s endowment fund. “Our performance results have been encouraging and the endowment recently hit a new high water mark,” he said.
The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support, and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. The Houston chapter is part of a world-wide network and is an affiliate to over 75 Dress for Success organizations.
Founded in the summer of 1998 by Nancy Levicki and Susie Cunningham, Dress for Success Houston has grown from serving 3 non-profit member organizations and suiting 117 women, to its current contribution to over 110 Houston-area non-profit organizations and suiting over 3,200 women.
“Nancy Levicki, co-founder of DFSH, is a real dynamo,” said Smith. Levicki describes her work with the organization as “her passion” and says she feels “blessed” to do the work she does. To ensure her work continues into the future, Levicki set up an endowment fund with the $1.9 million dollars granted to the organization by the Texas Legislature.
For suits, professional clothing, and day to day operations, the Houston chapter relies on both individual and corporate donations. The largest fundraising event of the year for the Houston organization is “Party and Play for Success.” This year’s event will be held October 21 and 22.
“Janis and I were lead sponsors and underwriters of DFSH’s most significant fundraiser last year, Party and Play for Success, a party and silent auction at Café Annie and a golf tournament,” commented Smith. The event raised $250,000 last year, far surpassing expectations.
The Houston chapter has expanded its efforts though 3 subsidiary programs - the Corporate Guild, made up of over 40 Houston companies that allows female executives the opportunity to network with the focus of supporting DFSH’s mission; the Professional Women’s Group, a networking association designed to encourage career development for DFSH clients who have landed jobs; and the Women of Wardrobe, a volunteer branch made up of women ages 21-35 who support DFSH through volunteerism, fundraising, and building public awareness.
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These programs have won awards from the national DFS organization and have been such a success that other chapters are emulating their design.
While many would say the Dress for Success Houston chapter has far surpassed all expectations of success, Smith is determined to keep going. In his words, “A great leader and great board can accomplish much; we don’t lose sight of our mission and seek to move from “good to great.”
To find out how you can help support DFSH, email [email protected].