Our Board

The mission of the Houston Health Foundation is to provide a funding stream to support public health projects beyond the normal scope and capacity of city operations. We work with donors, partner organizations and volunteers to help bring valuable health services to the children and families of Houston's most under-served communities. 

  • Chairman | William F. Burge, III

    Mr. Burge is a former Managing Director and Vice Chairman of the Board of Mitsubishi Estate Company Associates, USA. He has experience in commercial and residential real estate development in Houston, Dallas, New York, New Orleans, Atlanta and Los Angeles. He served as Chairman of the Harris County/Houston Sports Authority from 1996 through 2006 and oversaw the development of landmark public projects for both Harris County and the City of Houston. The impressive lists of public projects includes the $300mm Houston Metro Railway System, $450mm Reliant Center NFL Stadium, $200mm Toyota Center NBA Arena and the $215mm Minute Maid Park Baseball Stadium. He currently has a consulting arrangement with Entergy, whose corporate offices Ayrshire built in downtown New Orleans. 


    Mr. Burge currently serves as Chairman of the Grand Parkway Association, as well as Chairman of the Harris County Housing Finance Corporation. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Wallis State Bank and formerly served on the Board of Whitney National Bank. He is a Board Member of the West Houston Association, which he formerly chaired, and is also a former Trustee of the University of Houston Foundation. He is also on the Board of the Urban Land Institute Foundation as well as the Narramore Christian Foundation. Mr. Burge is currently on the Texas Bowl Board of Directors. His most recent appointment is as the Chairman of the Board of the Houston Health Foundation, Inc.

  • Vice Chair | Jonita Reynolds, Ph.D

    Dr. Jonita Reynolds affectionately called, Dr. J, is a native Houstonian, and a notable leader in the community. Since December 2004, she has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Gulf Coast Community Services Association, Inc. (GCCSA), the largest Community Action Agency in the state of Texas. With an annual budget of $20 million, 350 full-time employees, 26 Head Start sites and a host of community partners, GCCSA has facilitated the economic independence for Harris County’s most vulnerable populations. She previously served as the Director of Strategic Management and Quality Improvement for the Houston Independent School District. Dr. Reynolds received her Master's and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Houston. 

  • Treasurer | Joel Shannon, JD

    Mr. Shannon has been active in the start up of the Houston Health Foundation's work with the See to Succeed Program. He serves on the board of the Houston Health Foundation as its Treasurer. He also serves as Vice Chair of the board of El Centro de Corazon, a Federally Qualified Health Center located in Houston's East End. Other current not for profit board positions include Crossroads School, Portfolio Residential Services, Essilor Vision Foundation, and Alliance of Community Assistance Ministries. He has served Episcopal High School as Executive Board Chair, Founder, and Trustee. Mr. Shannon was a partner with Andrews Kurth LLP and led the law firm's Commercial Real Estate Group. He is married to Margaret Shannon and has four children and four grandsons. 

  • Ex-Officio | Director, Houston Health Dpt.  Stephen L. Williams, M.Ed, MPA.

    Mr. Williams joined the City of Houston as the Director of the Houston Health Department (HHD) in June of 2004. He received his Masters in Public Administration from Baruch College, City University New York, a Masters of Education from Auburn University in Montgomery, Alabama and his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Social Work from Huntingdon College also in Montgomery, Alabama.


    Mr. Williams serves on several boards of community, professional and civil rights organizations. He is the most recent past president of the Texas Association of Local Health Officials.  HHD is a full service public health department with approximately 1,000 employees.

  • director | Margaret Shannon, jd

    Ms. Shannon is a retired attorney and oilfield services company executive. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors for two public companies. She is active in leadership positions of several not-for-profit origination in various fields, including health care, women's leadership and higher education.

  • director | Ann mason

    Ms. Mason is a veteran of the petrochemical industry, having moved to Houston to serve as the Manager of New Business Development with Occidental. She has also worked as a Product Manager with Coca-Cola Co. and as a sales and marketing consultant for Pioneer Chlor-Alkali. Ms. Mason served on the founding board of the Children's Museum of Houston and volunteered with Duchesne Academy and Episcopal High School.