Celebrate a Journey. Honor a Legacy. Support What’s Next.
As we mark this special year, Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors is honoring the extraordinary journeys of burn survivors Howard Tellepsen and Kechi Okwuchi.
About Phoenix RISE
As part of the 2026 Phoenix RISE Awards, celebrating Resilience, Inspiration, Support, and Empowerment, Phoenix Society will honor the journeys of Howard Tellepsen and Kechi Okwuchi and recognize their dedication to the burn survivor community.
Howard Tellepsen
For more than five decades, Howard’s story has reflected resilience, leadership, and a deep commitment to giving back. As one of Houston’s most prominent business and philanthropic figures, his impact extends far beyond his own experience. A devoted family man and passionate advocate, Howard exemplifies the courage, compassion, and perseverance at the heart of Phoenix Society’s mission.
His continued commitment has strengthened the burn community and helped create opportunities for survivors to connect, heal, and thrive. Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, together with Howard’s family, friends, and community of supporters, is proud to recognize him as the inaugural recipient of the Phoenix Society Odyssey Award—a tribute to a lifetime journey defined by perseverance, purpose, and service to others.
Kechi Okwuchi
Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors is proud to honor Kechi Okwuchi with the Phoenix RISE Award, recognizing Resilience, Inspiration, Support, and Empowerment. A survivor of a devastating plane crash, Kechi has built an extraordinary journey defined by resilience, purpose, and hope.
Today, she is a globally recognized singer, speaker, and advocate whose voice has reached audiences from the stage of America’s Got Talent to platforms around the world. Through her story and advocacy, Kechi reminds others that even after profound adversity, healing, confidence, joy, and new possibilities can emerge.
Honor Howard & Kechi—Make an Impact Today
Your support helps make stories like Howard’s and Kechi’s possible—stories that uplift survivors, strengthen communities, and inspire meaningful change. By supporting this special event, you are investing in programs that provide vital resources, connection, and hope to burn survivors and their families. Together, we can help ensure every survivor feels supported, every voice has the opportunity to be heard, and no one has to navigate the journey alone. Make a gift today and help build a future where burn survivors and their families have the support they need to thrive.
Because of you, more survivors will find connection when they feel isolated, support when they need it most, and a community that understands.
Interested in sponsoring the event? Please contact Rick Suhrbier at rsuhrbier@phoenix-society.org.