By Hallie Milstein By Hallie Milstein | November 22, 2021 | People, Feature,
Philanthropist, lawyer and mother Brittany Sakowitz is a triple threat with a drive to uplift Houston. Niece to Lynn Wyatt, Sakowitz loves two things: her family and the city of Houston.
Sakowitz and husband Kevin Kushner training for the bike ride from Madison, Wis. to Chicago to raise funds for the Center for Pursuit.
“Houston has so many worthy causes, but I try to narrow my focus to a few causes that are meaningful to me,” says Houston-based philanthropist Brittany Sakowitz. Between flexing her mergers and acquisitions guns as a lawyer and raising a family, Sakowitz generously dedicates her time to several charitable organizations such as the Center for Pursuit (thecenterforpursuit.org), Alley Theatre (alleytheatre.org), Hermann Park Conservancy (hermannpark.org) and Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo (rodeohouston.com) Mutton Bustin’ Committee, which she has volunteered with for the past decade. Following in the footsteps of her aunt, prominent Texas socialite and benefactor Lynn Wyatt, she is passionate about her city and about giving back, but what’s next for this poised next-gen Houstonite?
Brittany Sakowitz
What are your charitable goals and hopes for the future?
I hope to continue to be in a position to support causes that are significant to my family and the city of Houston. As a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP with two young daughters, my time can be limited, but I plan to continue to devote my time and efforts to supporting worthy causes and teaching my daughters the importance of giving back.
Why are you passionate about these causes?
The common theme of the Alley, Hermann Park and the Houston Rodeo are that they all provide family-friendly experiences that entertain, educate and facilitate cultural engagement in Houston spaces. They are attractions for locals but also highlight our incredibly diverse city to those visiting, and whether through scholarships or enrichment programs or experiences, they all also give back to Houston youth. The Center for Pursuit helps tackle another mission entirely—to promote independence and provide support for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism or similar conditions.
What drew you to the Center for Pursuit?
I was introduced to the Center for Pursuit through board member and personal friend David Baldwin in 2016 when David rode his bike across America to raise much-needed funds and awareness for the center. My husband, Kevin Kushner, and I decided to join a (very small) segment of the ride and learned about the organization and its incredible work.
What is the best advice you have for people who want to help?
Get started! Find one or two organizations that speak to you and reach out to the organization’s staff or a member of its board to find ways to be of service. Whether your help takes the form of time, talent or treasure, you have something to contribute, and charitable organizations need you.
Photography by: COURTESY OF BRITTANY SAKOWITZ; PORTRAIT BY GITTINGS