The work of Texas A&M women has bettered the community around them and contributed to the lasting legacy of the University.
Held annually on the First Thursday in September, the Women’s Leadership Reception celebrates these distinguished women, honoring their impact. Attendees hear from female student leaders as well as prominent campus leaders. The Leadership Reception is a collaborative effort between the Aggie Women Network Messina Hof Winery & Resort.
All proceeds from the event directly support Aggie Women Network programs.
The 2026 Women’s Leadership Reception will be held on Sept. 3rd from 5:45 – 8 p.m. at the Messina Hof Winery & Resort in Bryan, Texas. The reception will feature exciting speakers, opportunities to network, a silent auction and chance to win, photograph opportunities and delicious light bites. The event will be held live at the Messina Hof Winery location in Bryan, TX. Also, back by popular demand, we will host and stream the event at TWO Messina Hof winery satellite locations, one in Richmond, TX and a second in Grapevine, TX.
The Aggie Women Network has released an annual commemorative wine label in partnership with the Messina Hof Wineries, a business founded by an Aggie Woman, since 2016. Each year we release a red blend and a white blend, and the proceeds benefit the Aggie Women Network’s programs and operating costs.
*Orders are automatically set up to ship. If you would like to pick up your order, please select that choice when checking out.
Sydney Horak ‘25
Shara serves as The Association of Former Students’ 2026 Board Chair. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business analysis from Texas A&M University in 1990 and a master’s degree in public health from The
George Washington University. As president of McClure Health Solutions, she advises healthcare
providers and insurance payers. Shara has held various leadership roles in the health care industry,
representing organizations like BlueCross and BlueShield of Texas, Humana, and Tenet Health. In 2023,
she was named an Outstanding Alumnus of A&M’s Mays Business School and is a past chair of the North
Dallas Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of the Dallas Assembly, an alumnus of the Dallas
Regional Chamber’s Leadership Dallas Class of 2017, a senior fellow of Houston’s American Leadership
Forum, and a graduate of the Leading Women Executives Program. Before joining the board, she served
as a representative at large and is an Endowed Century Club member and has endowed an Aggie Ring
Scholarship and a Mays Business School scholarship. She also serves on the Chancellor’s Century
Council and the Mays Business School Dean’s Advisory Board. Shara and Craig are proud parents to
Melinda class of’15 and Michael class of ’18—both of whom married Aggies. They enjoy spending time
with their family, golfing, and traveling.
Alexandra González Rainey ’15 serves as Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives & Signature Programs at Texas A&M University, where she leads university-wide initiatives within the Division of Operations, including co-chairing and leading Texas A&M’s Sesquicentennial (150th) Celebration.
A lifelong Aggie, “Ale” earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics (2015) and a Master of Public Service and Administration (2018), along with a certificate in nonprofit management, from The Bush School of Government and Public Service. As a student, she received the Buck Weirus Spirit Award, served as Traditions Council Chair, helped found the Aggie Network Student Ambassadors (now the 1879 Society), was undergraduate commencement speaker, and held numerous leadership roles dedicated to advancing the Aggie experience.
Her career includes leadership positions at The Association of Former Students in major gift fundraising, the Texas A&M Foundation—where she served as Chief Development Officer for The Bush School—and the Office of the President as Deputy Chief of Staff before assuming her current role in May 2026. She has also served as President of the Brazos County A&M Club and was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Texas Lyceum, the premier statewide leadership organization, in 2026.
Originally from Brownsville, Texas, Ale and her husband, Jayton ’15, are proud Aggies raising their daughter, Valencia ‘’46, in Aggieland. Together, they enjoy serving their community, supporting Texas A&M as Endowed Century Club Members, and staying active in their Catholic Church and beyond.
Leila Chang is a proud member of the Texas A&M Class of 2026. During her time at Texas A&M,
she was actively involved in The Big Event, serving in multiple leadership roles before becoming
Associate Director of Finance. She also conducted undergraduate research in the Department
of Poultry Science and volunteered with an organization that raises and trains service dogs for
Texas military veterans. Now based in Houston, Leila is pursuing a career in event planning,
where she hopes to combine her passion for leadership, service, and bringing people together.
She is excited to share her experiences and connect with fellow Women Aggies.
