Houston

Houston Chapter

Having been in the workforce over 30 years, Leslie created Dynamic Interactions in 2008 as a resource to teams and organizations seeking to become “healthy” and “conscious”.  She applies her speaking, facilitation, coaching and most importantly her real-life, in-the-trenches business experience to guiding her client’s organizations to defining and applying qualities and practices today that lead to sustained future performance.   

Leslie has spent years bringing conscious business practices and tools into a variety of industries and environments (often for the first time), advising executives, CEO and Founders and supporting conscious, engaged, and strategically thoughtful teams. She is known for her can-do optimism, which has allowed her to work with clients to realize their purpose and goals. Leslie is motivated by the positive impact conscious business has in the world and specifically, in people’s lives. 

Her big vision: That every person can realize their individual value and the difference they make in the lives of those around them. 

Her expertise: Supporting cultures of wellness and authenticity. Designing custom leadership development programs. Supporting highly effective teams through application of Conversational Intelligence® and embodying conscious leadership practices. Executive/Life/Health coaching and consulting, strategy meetings, and finding purpose meetings. Asking the skillful questions that invite others to drop into their core values, express them, and believe that they truly can achieve what they most want. Inviting rich collaborations that create win-win-win business opportunities and personal growth. 

Leslie also provides training and consulting in the area of Conscious Leadership, Building a Conscious Culture, and Manifesting Purpose. 

Richard Fox is a Technical Director at Improving Houston.  He has experience in a variety of industries bringing a blend technical execution and process improvement.

Richard is a graduate of Lamar University and received a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston at Clear Lake.  He believes that technology and business are most successful when used make people’s lives better.

Richard became aware of Conscious Capitalism when he joined Improving and recognized the alignment of the tenets of Conscious Capitalism and his own views on business, leading him to join the Houston chapter.

In his spare time Richard enjoys spending time with his wife and four children, traveling, playing the bass guitar, or learning something new.

Cindy Griffin brings more than 25 years of experience at the intersection of financial services and business strategy. In her current role at Smart Communications, she leads marketing for the financial services vertical, helping firms modernize the way they communicate with clients and stakeholders.

Her career spans a broad range of institutions and disciplines — from institutional investment management at Bridgeway Capital Management to retirement services Corebridge Financial, as well as wealth management, and risk and compliance roles. She has held positions in marketing, business development, product management, and performance analysis, giving her a well-rounded perspective on how financial services firms create value for the clients and communities they serve.

Cindy believes that business done well is a force for good — and that the financial services industry, at its best, plays a meaningful role in people's lives and long-term security. She is drawn to Conscious Capitalism Houston as a community of leaders committed to building businesses with purpose, integrity, and a genuine stake in the wellbeing of all stakeholders.

José Pereira is the CEO and founder of JoseConnect.com LLC, a consulting firm dedicated to helping C-suite executives and business leaders regain balance between professional success and personal fulfillment. With over 35 years of leadership experience, including serving as the former CEO of CITGO Petroleum, José has led multinational ventures and navigated high-stakes challenges at the executive level.

His life took a dramatic turn when he was taken hostage in a foreign country, enduring nearly five years of captivity. During this dark period, his faith in God became his anchor, shaping his resilience and redefining his purpose. Today, José uses his experiences to empower others, guiding leaders to cultivate resilience, lead with empathy, and thrive in both their professional and personal lives.

José is also an international speaker, leadership coach, and resilience expert who has shared his powerful journey on global stages and podcasts worldwide. His book, From Hero to Villain – My True Story of the CITGO6, is an international bestseller, offering lessons on faith, resilience, and personal transformation.

A vocal advocate for the hostage community, José raises awareness about hostage diplomacy and supports families affected by it. Through his work at JoseConnect.com LLC and his inspiring speeches, he helps leaders and organizations embrace purpose, balance, and unshakable resilience.

Tammira is a dynamic Board member and C-suite executive with demonstrated success leading growth-stage companies who maximize profit and purpose. She has two decades of experience with board governance including registered investment companies. Her strong acumen in strategy development, risk management, leadership, investing, and philanthropy is complemented by deep curiosity. Tammira is currently CEO of NPVTech, her independent consulting firm, where she provides top-notch guidance and support to growth-stage companies at the intersection of profit and purpose. She earned an M.B.A. from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.S. in Computer Science from Texas A&M University. Tammira is also a CFA charterholder. She is committed to combining purpose, profit, and social justice, areas that are fulfilled through her work and volunteer service. Tammira lives in her hometown of Houston with her husband and is the parent of two teenagers. She enjoys learning, skiing, volleyball, travel, cooking, and time with family and friends..

John Ritcheske is the Procurement Manager for Halliburton Real Estate Services, a role he has held since 2022. With more than 20 years of procurement, contract management, and strategic sourcing experience, John oversees procurement operations supporting Halliburton's major property locations and specialty facilities across the United States. He leads supplier negotiations, contract administration, and cost optimization initiatives while ensuring compliance with corporate governance and regulatory requirements

Throughout his career, he has supported projects and operations in Brazil, Singapore, India, Spain, Qatar, and the United States, developing a strong appreciation for diverse cultures and creating and maintaining connections.

A graduate of Barry University (Miami Shores Florida) with a Bachelor of Science in International Business, John is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. His passion for developing people, building strong business partnerships, and creating long-term value aligns closely with the principles of Conscious Capitalism. He is committed to fostering ethical business practices, responsible stewardship, and mutually beneficial relationships among employees, suppliers, customers, and communities.

Shanté Smith-Daniels is the Founder and COO of SSD Consulting, where she helps purpose-driven businesses align people, profits, and peace of mind through strategic operations. With over 15 years of experience in corporate and entrepreneurial operations, she specializes in guiding founders and CEOs to scale sustainably, strengthen company culture, and remove bottlenecks that keep teams from thriving.

Her purpose is to create safe, trusting spaces that inspire growth and empower leaders, grounded in a commitment to freedom, value, and efficiency. Shanté believes that when businesses are built with clarity and compassion, they not only grow stronger financially but also create a ripple effect of impact in their communities.

As a Fractional COO and advisor, she partners with service-based businesses and nonprofits to bridge the gap between vision and execution—helping leaders spend less time putting out fires and more time leading with purpose.