Today we’d like to introduce you to Jane Cizik.
Hi Jane, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Jane came to Houston with husband Bob in 1967 and embraced this new city. She dived into volunteering as she got to know her new home, where everyone was so warm & welcoming. As Jane began a new chapter of self-discovery, she embraced & took advantage of the educational opportunities in Houston. After endless non-credit courses, Bob pushed her to go to college and get a degree. Even though she was terrified at the prospect of taking the SAT, it led to an 8-year journey that produced a Magna Cum Laude degree from the Honors College at the University of Houston, at the age of 53 – the same year that child #4, Greg, also graduated college.
Jane was hopeful that her degree would lead to success and validation. Yet, her life moved in a different direction and volunteerism filled that void for her and gave her decades of great satisfaction and fulfillment. Working with: The Women’s Home, The Houston Symphony, The Honors College at University of Houston and at MD Anderson – Children’s Art Project. These became her life’s work and passion. Especially, her brainstorm and creation of the “Great Conversation” the major fundraising event for the Honors College at U of H for student scholarships and continues to be so 32 years later. She was elected into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society in 2016, when the Chapter was installed at the University of Houston.
Of everlasting importance to Jane, is education, the arts, medicine, animals/birds and nature. Jane and Bob established endowed Chairs at the Harvard Business School, UConn and the University of Houston. They also provided lead gifts to the Citizens for Animal Protection (Citizens for Animal Protection – Jane Cizik Center), The Women’s Home (Jane Cizik Garden Place) and the University of Texas School of Nursing (Cizik School of Nursing at UT Health).
Jane and Bob instilled moral values in all their children – to give back, to pay it forward and according to number 2 son – Live the Golden Rule – and treat others in the same way that you would like to be treated.
She adored each one of the many pets she raised over her lifetime – currently lavishing her 19# cat, Tom Tom, with all her love.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Building the confidence to fill the role of a CEO/President’s wife, as well as approaching other titans in industry to gain support for the many nonprofits that I believe in and support.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Raising 5 kids and volunteering have been my ‘jobs’. I am proud of the five great kids that Bob and I raised – all good people with a strong sense of honesty and hard work, who now live all over the US.
I am proud of myself for having the guts to go to college and graduate in my 50’s with a dual degree in Spanish and Italian. Competing with those 20-year olds was a challenge!
I am most proud of my involvement with The Women’s Home (TWH). TWH directly supports abused women battling addiction and poverty — helping them turn their lives around through counseling, education classes, housing and so much more. I’m also so proud of my creation of “The Great Conversation” which is fundraising dinner for the University of Houston Honors College. This original concept of including professors from the Honors College leading each table at the dinner in a unique ‘conversation’, had not been done before and it’s still going strong some 30 years later as the primary fundraiser for the Honors College. The concept was to mimic a ‘masters’ class at the university.
How do you think about luck?
Good luck has followed me from the time that I met Bob Cizik in Norwalk, Conn. in high school. And whether it is luck or just a willingness to take risks, we ended up in Houston, TX.
Finding so many generous people along the way and especially in this great city I call home.
Pushing myself with continued education and an openness to learn from others has been key. Then sharing that knowledge and wisdom with others.
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