Elizabeth Stein grew up in a home where honesty, trust, compassion, and work ethic defined you. These were qualities that couldn’t be attained with financial wealth; they required a conscious daily commitment and they required work. These are the characteristics she has looked for in the people she has surrounded herself with throughout her life. 

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In l980, Elizabeth married Alan Stein, a man she declares has all these characteristics. She describes him as the quintessential husband, father, and businessman. They met in the ninth grade. Thirty-eight years after they were married, Elizabeth can still say that marrying Alan was the most important, and by far the best, decision she has ever made.

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Elizabeth has made a career out of serving Houston since she and her husband moved to the city in 1981. She has found that its many worthy organizations have led to a lifetime of rewarding volunteer work. When Elizabeth’s children, Laura and Jacob were born, she began what would be a lengthy career serving the Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD). Her tenure there spanned over two decades. While with SBISD, Elizabeth sat on PTA boards and campus advisory teams and participated in class projects. Elizabeth was also a member of the Spring Branch Education Foundation Board and of the Crystal Apple Awards committee. 

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Elizabeth has assisted and continues to assist a number of other Houston organizations, as well as charities, in a variety of ways. A supporter of Houston Ballet, Elizabeth cochaired two Ballet Bravo balls, served on the Houston Ballet Board, chaired the 1992 Nutcracker Market, and has been a guild member for over 20 years. She is a past president of the Bayou Villages chapter of the National Charity League, which is a mother and daughter volunteer league. As an active member of VICTORY, a branch of the American Cancer Society made up of a special group of outstanding women dedicated to raising funds to help in the fight against cancer, Elizabeth cochaired the Cattle Barons Ball in 2009. In 2012, she served as vice president, and in 2013, she served as president. To this day, Elizabeth remains an active member of VICTORY, having sat on its board for over ten years. Though she has been, and continues to be, on numerous boards, such as that of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation and the University of St. Thomas Performing Arts Society, Elizabeth readily admits that working in the trenches with other volunteers is her favorite position. 

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In 2018, Elizabeth and her husband chaired the Houston Symphony Wine Dinner and Collector’s Auction, as well as cochaired the inaugural Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association Charitable Foundation’s Red Hot Gala. As a couple, Elizabeth and Alan have enjoyed raising money for the students of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo through their affiliation with the Champagne Cowgirls and Corkscrews. 

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Elizabeth is especially proud that her daughter is now chairing events with her. She and Laura were two of the four cochairs for the Citizens for Animal Protection Celebrity Paws Gala in 2012, and they continue to work together on numerous projects.   

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Although she isn’t one to boast about her own achievements, Elizabeth has been the recipient of many awards acknowledging her philanthropy. Some of them include: SBISD-PTA Life Membership Award; Citizens for Animal Protection – Melcher Humanitarian Award; Citizens for Animal Protection, Celebrity Paws – Hall of Fame; Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Women of Distinction; and Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce – Hall of Fame.

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Having made Houston her home, Elizabeth is devoted to improving the quality of life for everyone in the city, as well as those beyond its borders.  She will tell you that it isn’t at all about “When will this event end?” Instead, it is all about “When can we get started on the next one?” In between her philanthropic endeavors, Elizabeth loves to spend time with her family and friends. It takes a special kind of person to devote so much of her time to others and put them before herself. Elizabeth Stein is one of those people.

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It is for all the reasons mentioned above, and many more, that Elizabeth Stein has been named a Top 20 Inspiring Woman Impact Maker for 2019.