OPEN Emerging Leaders Retreat
Get ready for a weekend of personal growth, connection, and fun at the OPEN Houston 2026 Emerging Leaders Retreat!
Each year, we host an Emerging Leaders' Retreat for early career professionals to learn about leadership and get inspiration from life stories of others. The retreat includes a panel discussion followed by a social activity and networking event with Houston leaders.
The retreat is part of the OPEN Emerging Leaders program, which bridges the gap between high-performing talent and top-tier career opportunities and startup resources. This event will feature experienced panel speakers from various backgrounds such as finance, consulting, technology, entrepreneurship, and other areas to share wisdom gained from their tenure. Those who are college students, early career professionals, and graduate school candidates will benefit most from the insight, mentors, and professional network building. You will also have the opportunity to network with attendees with similar goals and career paths.
Each pass includes speaker talks, networking, lunch and access to Topgolf training bays. Lifetime membership for Topgolf is also included for new Topgolf attendees.
Agenda:
Registration and pre-event networking
Professional programs (speakers and panel discussions)
Lunch
Social programs (additional networking and Topgolf)
Our previous speakers have included:
Director of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston
General Manager of the Houston Dynamos
Managing Director at RED Labs
CFO of MD Anderson Cancer Center
Partners at consulting firms including McKinsey and BCG
Partners at law firms
Startup founders
Our 2026 confirmed speakers include:
Executive Director of Astrodome Conservancy
Head of Growth for Aga's Restaurant & Catering
Beth Wiedower Jackson has served as the Executive Director of the Astrodome Conservancy since 2018, where she leads a team in the preservation and redevelopment of the landmark “Eighth Wonder of the World,” the Astrodome. As an inaugural member of the Conservancy’s Board of Directors, Beth has played a vital role in the growth and maturity of the organization since its inception. Under her leadership, the Astrodome Conservancy has implemented a 5-year strategic plan, hosted multiple community and fundraising events, launched an ambitious community engagement campaign titled “Future Dome,” and is currently leading the facilitation of multiple feasibility studies with private and corporate interests in the Astrodome.
With more than 20 years experience in the field of historic and cultural heritage preservation, including well over a decade with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Beth is a respected leader, frequent speaker, and published author on a variety of topics related to community engagement, economic development, and the value of cultural heritage to society. She is an appointed member and Vice Chairperson of the Houston Archeological and Historical Commission and supports multiple preservation, cultural, and community organizations in her adopted hometown of Houston.
Beth earned a Masters degree in Public History from the University of South Carolina and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Hendrix College in Arkansas. She can be found alongside her husband and their two children exploring parks and natural areas in and around Houston, or in her garden.
Zain Maredia is the Head of Growth & Strategy at Aga's Restaurant & Catering, a leading Indian-Pakistani restaurant in southwest Houston. Prior to this role, Zain served as an immigration lawyer, helping people of all backgrounds navigate the U.S.'s complicated immigration system. A graduate of Columbia Law School, Zain brings a strategic, ambitious approach to leading the expansion of his family business. Sixteen years after taking over the restaurant, Zain, his family, and their team will open a second location in Katy, Texas this month. Zain's dream is to take Aga's nationwide--without franchising--and represent our community at the highest level in the mainstream market, maintaining the same authenticity, consistency, and exceptional hospitality.
Ovais is a Texas-licensed attorney and a leader in Deloitte's Legal Business Services group, with deep experience transforming contracting operations and legal operating models through alternative legal services, contract lifecycle management (CLM), and GenAI-enabled solutions. He specializes in contract lifecycle management, legal managed services, process optimization, and the design and build of contracting Centers of Excellence (COEs) for global organizations.
Drawing on his background as a corporate and commercial contracts attorney across financial services, energy, life sciences, and media/technology, he works closely with legal and business stakeholders to identify bottlenecks, re-engineer processes, and implement practical solutions, technology-enabled solutions that improve efficiency, control, and scalability. His work increasingly focuses on how GenAI can enhance contract review, workflow orchestration, knowledge capture, and service delivery within legal and contracting functions.
Salma Taher is a native Houstonian with 15+ years of experience in healthcare and currently works in Medical Finance Management at Houston Methodist. She holds a degree in Healthcare Management and is deeply passionate about community outreach and service. With more than 20 years of experience leading volunteer initiatives for refugees and nonprofit organizations, Salma currently serves as a volunteer organizer with Amannah Refugee Services. She also serves as Lead of the Young Professionals Group for the Egyptian American Society and as Vice Chair of Arab American Heritage at Houston Methodist.
Aamir has been with Deloitte for over 4.5 years, specializing in SAP solutions and business transformation initiatives. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance as well as an MBA, combining technical expertise with a strong business background. Outside of work, Aamir is actively involved in organizations including MAX (Muslims Achieving Excellence), OPEN Houston, the Houston Rodeo committee, and several business-focused professional groups. In his free time, he is an avid traveler who enjoys exploring new cultures and experiences.