Dear friends,
We are delighted to share that Mayor John J. Whitmire nominated and the City Council has appointed five new directors to the Board of the Houston Public Library Foundation at a regular meeting of the City Council on October 22, 2025.
The five new directors include: Leslie Bacon, Esq., Senior Associate, Norton Rose Fulbright, LLP; Mary Catherine Blanton Jones, Esq., Senior Counsel, Centaurus Capital; Mitra Murthy, Banker, JP Morgan Private Bank; Danny Ward, co-founder and president of Ward & Ames; and Rev. F.N. Williams, Sr., Senior Pastor, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, Acres Homes.
“We are excited to welcome Leslie, Mary Catherine, Mitra, Danny and Pastor Williams to the HPLF Board,” said Nicolas A. Jimenez, Board Chair. “Their respective expertise and the energy they will bring to the board will help the Foundation continue to support the Houston Public Library as it serves every Houstonian.”
“The Houston Public Library Foundation is vital to the work of the Library,” stated Sandy Gaw, Director of the Houston Public Library. “The Foundation provides millions of dollars each year to allow us to offer thousands of free programs, events, and resources for people of all ages and in all communities,” continued Gaw, “and we welcome the partnership and leadership of these new board directors.”
In addition to the new members, the following members were reappointed to the Board: Nicolas A. Jimenez; Jessica Kemp St. Rose; Michele Leal; Dimitri Millas, Esq.; Heaven C. Chee, Esq.; Alisha Adatia; Teran Smith and Jason Smith.
Since 1904, the members of the Library Board have served as careful stewards of the library’s endowments, strategic advisors in areas of service and growth, and dynamic partners who champion and support the work of the Houston Public Library—which welcomed 2.3 million patrons last year alone.
The terms of the new board members start immediately, and each is appointed for 2 years.
Join us in congratulating and welcoming Leslie, Mary Catherine, Mitra, Danny and Pastor Williams!
With best regards,
Nick Sawicki
Executive Director