A Full-Circle Moment and the Work That Shaped My Leadership
By Tammi Wallace
Co-Founder, President & CEO, Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce
In September, I received the 2026 Pride + Power Community Leadership Award from the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund. The recognition was deeply meaningful because Victory has been part of my community journey for many years. I previously served on the Victory Fund Campaign Board and co-chaired its Houston Brunch—experiences that helped shape how I think strategically and how I lead today.
Receiving the award brought together two important chapters of my life: the electoral and community work where my journey began and the economic inclusion work that I now lead through the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce.
More than two decades ago, I volunteered for Annise Parker’s campaign and later became involved with Progressive Voters in Action. I eventually answered a volunteer call from the Lesbian & Gay Rights Lobby of Texas (now Equality Texas). I stepped forward nervously, with no idea where that first “yes” would lead.
It led to service on the Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus Board and to co-founding the Houston Equal Rights Alliance, where I learned the power of grassroots organizing. Later, as Chief of Staff to State Representative Ellen Cohen, I saw more closely how civic participation, public leadership and policymaking intersect.
My work with Victory added another dimension to that understanding. LGBTQ+ Victory Fund works to increase the number of out LGBTQ+ elected officials serving at every level of government. Its affiliated organization, LGBTQ+ Victory Institute, focuses on developing and supporting a pipeline of LGBTQ+ public leaders.
Those experiences taught me to connect the dots—to look beyond the immediate challenge, understand who needs to be at the table and build strategically for lasting impact.
Bringing Those Lessons to the Chamber
I carried those lessons with me when we launched the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce 10 years ago.
We began with a clear goal: to ensure our community had a seat at the table and a voice in the conversations shaping our region. Over the past decade, the Chamber has worked to drive inclusion, expand opportunity and close economic gaps.
Today, the Chamber is represented in rooms where our community has not always been included. At times, we are also able to help open doors for other LGBTQ+ organizations, businesses and leaders.
That is the power of working at the intersection of business and community.
Economic opportunity can change the trajectory of individuals, businesses and entire communities. When we expand access to opportunity and work to close wealth gaps, we strengthen economic power and create pathways for more people to participate fully in our regional economy.
This is also why the Chamber champions intentional spending. We encourage people to use the Chamber Directory, seek out LGBTQ+-owned and allied businesses and think carefully about where their dollars go. Each purchasing decision can help strengthen businesses, support jobs and generate broader economic impact.
The Connections Between the Work
My early community involvement and my leadership at the Chamber may appear to represent different chapters, but they are deeply connected.
Both have taught me that representation, access and opportunity shape who participates in decision-making and whose experiences are understood. They have also taught me that lasting progress rarely happens through one organization, one leader or one strategy. It requires people and institutions working across sectors and recognizing how their respective efforts connect.
That understanding continues to shape my leadership. I try to look beyond individual programs or moments and consider how relationships, economic opportunity, civic participation and community leadership can reinforce one another.
This recognition reminded me how much of that perspective was formed through my earlier work—and how many people helped shape the leader I am today.
Carrying the Work Forward
I am grateful to LGBTQ+ Victory Fund for recognizing me with the 2026 Pride + Power Community Leadership Award. I am also deeply grateful to Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Stephen Miranda for his touching introductory remarks.
I share this recognition with our Chamber Board, team and members. Everything we have built over the past decade reflects the efforts of people who believe in the Chamber’s mission and contribute to it every day.
Receiving this award was a full-circle moment, but it was not simply an opportunity to look back. It gave me a renewed appreciation for every person, organization and experience that has shaped my journey.
The work continues—and so does my gratitude for the opportunity to serve our community.
Learn more about the important work of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund at victoryfund.org.