2023 Houston Spirit of Francis Award Dinner

Trini Mendenhall has been dedicated to philanthropic efforts in the Houston community and in the state of Texas for more than two decades. In addition to her accomplished business career as co-founder of Fiesta Mart and President of Fulton Shopping Center, Trini has dedicated her life to serving others. In 1997, alongside her late husband, O.C. Mendenhall, Trini founded the Trini and O.C. Mendenhall Foundation, which empowers women, minorities and children. In September 2002, she established the Mendenhall Asthma Research Laboratory at Baylor’s Biology of inflammation Center in memory of her husband.

Trini’s commitment to her Catholic values and her Houston community are made evident by her outstanding work on behalf of children, women, and the vulnerable. Trini serves on the board of Catholic Charities and her Foundation endows scholarships for inner-city Catholic schools and the College of Education of the University of Houston. She has served on the boards of Ronald McDonald House, Diocese of Galveston-Houston, Baylor College of Medicine, University of St. Thomas, Houston Ballet Public Affairs Committee, University of Houston’s Center for Mexican American Studies Excellence Endowment Campaign Committee, United Way’s Women’s Initiative, Alexis de Tocqueville Society, End Hunger Network, and the Mexican Council of Entrepreneurs of Houston.