Lance Avery Morgan
Dinners, Experiences & Events Will Shine Brightly As Attendees Support The Fan-Favorite Cause
Portrait photography courtesy of St. David’s Foundation
Raise a glass, Austin—it’s that time of year again. The city’s most anticipated social series, St. David’s Foundation’s Toast of the Town, is back and more effervescent than ever, thanks to the dazzling duo leading the charge: Felicia Hester and Araminta Sellers. Co-chairing this season’s events with flair, heart, and more than a little sparkle, these two philanthropic dynamos prove that no one does it quite like Austin when it comes to doing good, having fun, and bringing the community together.
Toast of the Town, a beloved tradition hosted by the St. David’s Foundation, isn’t just one event—it’s a celebration series, where every gathering is a vibrant expression of purpose meeting panache. Think intimate dinners, lively cocktail parties, and unforgettable soirées all sprinkled across the city and tailored to connect people who care deeply about healthcare access and equity in Central Texas.
Enter Felicia and Araminta—women of style, substance, and signature wit—who have brought fresh energy to this year’s festivities. With a shared passion for service and a knack for unforgettable hosting, they’re steering this season’s series into one of the most exciting yet. Whether it’s welcoming guests with charm or championing the Foundation’s impactful work, they make it look effortless (spoiler: it’s not).
So, grab your champagne flute (or Topo Chico—we see you, Texas) and join us for a lively conversation with the women making this year’s Toast of the Town one to remember. From behind-the-scenes fun to their best party tips, most inspiring moments, and what it truly means to give back in style—Felicia and Araminta are here to spill the (sweet) tea.
How does St. David’s Foundation create and produce 20 one-of-a-kind events year after year for Toast of the Town? It is no small feat. That’s why it enlists the help of a phenomenal committee led by two exceptional co-chairs. This year’s Toast of the Town is co-chaired by Felicia Hester and Araminta Sellers, two women who have each made an incredible impact on the Central Texas community. These powerhouse co-chairs have served in various capacities for philanthropic organizations across Austin, and this year, they are joining forces to make Toast of the Town one of the most successful series of events in its over 40-year history.
The proceeds from Toast of the Town benefit St. David’s Foundation’s Neal Kocurek Scholarship program, the largest healthcare scholarship program in Texas. The program provides merit and need-based scholarships to Central Texas high school seniors pursuing health-related degrees at Texas colleges and universities. These scholarships are life-changing for the recipients and imperative for ensuring the Central Texas community has a strong healthcare workforce for the future.
(Sellers and Hester selected this year’s theme, “Rooted in Community, Blooming into the Future,” to reflect the event’s goal of blending tradition and innovation to create a brighter future for the community.) Join our Lance Avery Morgan as he toasts them and learns more about how they support such a beloved cause in this state.
How did you first become involved with St. David’s Foundation Toast of the Town?
Felicia Hester: My husband and I have sponsored the Toast of the Town events for years. This is my first year on the committee, and I have witnessed the brilliance of the staff and committee members.
Araminta Sellers: I first became involved with Toast of the Town in 2018 by attending events as a sponsor. In 2021, I was asked to join the Toast Committee to support the Foundation’s meaningful work.
In being involved with St. David’s Foundation’s Toast of the Town, I have found that…
Felicia Hester: The scholarship recipients not only benefit from the financial assistance and mentoring but are also returning to become mentors themselves in this program. The greatest gift to these young people is seeing them understand how fulfilling it is to help raise the next person up and, by doing so, see the exponential effects this program has in our community.
Araminta Sellers: The Toast series of events combines the best of fundraising, scholarships, and exceptional opportunities to learn from and mingle with interesting people. Who can say no to that?
In being a part of a cause that is important to you, it’s important to realize…
Felicia Hester: How your particular talents or expertise can integrate within the organization/cause to produce the stated outcome. Most causes are complex in structure and need multiple viewpoints and inputs to create long-term solutions.
Araminta Sellers: The necessity of bringing together a broad spectrum of the community to support the organization and making your passion for the cause contagious.
The best career advice I’ve received is…
Felicia Hester: Run to the problem. If there is an issue, address it head-on as quickly as possible with honesty and integrity.
Araminta Sellers: The late Bob Bullock, Lt. Governor of Texas, for whom I worked in the mid-90s, said, “It’s amazing what can be accomplished for good if nobody worries about who gets the credit.”
Three qualities that got me where I am today are…
Felicia Hester: Having a strong work ethic, being service-oriented, and understanding how to build processes to achieve goals and/or efficiencies.
Araminta Sellers: Responsibility, loyalty, hard work (and more hard work).
How I made my first dollar…
Felicia Hester: Working in my family’s rural meat processing plant.
Araminta Sellers: Working at the State Capitol.
First music I bought was…
Felicia Hester: Honestly, I do not know, but my first guess would be a country tape – maybe George Strait or Garth Brooks.
Araminta Sellers: Columbia House mail-order CDs – probably Phil Collins, Bryan Adams, or Whitney Houston.
Last thing I binge/marathon watched…
Felicia Hester: Gilmore Girls in 2023 with my daughter, and I have still not recovered to want to binge-watch another show.
Araminta Sellers: I finally finished Ted Lasso a couple of months ago—I can’t wait for season four!
Book that left a lasting impression on me…
Felicia Hester: The Bible, which I have read exclusively for the past four years.
Araminta Sellers: The Bible.
On that note, my favorite fictional character is…
Felicia Hester: The Bible does not contain fictional characters, but I have always loved spy thriller novels, so let’s go with Jason Bourne.
Araminta Sellers: Nancy Drew—I had the whole book series shelved in numerical order, and I still love a good mystery novel or show.
My real-life hero has got to be…
Felicia Hester: My husband, Craig. He took on the responsibility to raise Hunter and Abby as his own with such love, understanding, and guidance that my heart is in complete gratitude for his real-life heroism.
Araminta Sellers: The men and women who honorably serve in our military. They personify John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this: that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
What everyone should try in their lifetime is…
Felicia Hester: Traveling to a foreign country.
Araminta Sellers: Traveling to learn more about the world and its people.
If I could compete in an Olympic sport, or create one, it would be…
Felicia Hester: It would have been basketball.
Araminta Sellers: Figure skating.
Favorite scent these days is (because)…
Felicia Hester: Rain, because we so seldom smell it.
Araminta Sellers: Most anything with a citrus scent because it smells fresh.
My style icon is…
Felicia Hester: I loved Ted Baker’s perfectly-fitting designs when I wore suits daily.
Araminta Sellers: Trina Turk.
The last meal that truly impressed me was…
Felicia Hester: Was in Rome. It was a salt-encrusted fish and homemade pasta with an asparagus white sauce. It was to die for.
Araminta Sellers: The exquisite presentation of a 15-course meal at El Celler De Can Roca in Girona, Spain.
My perfect day would end…
Felicia Hester: With Craig, our three grown kids, son-in-law, two grandchildren, and our four fur babies at our ranch watching the sun set with a big bold cab.
Araminta Sellers: Watching the sunset with my husband at our place in the Hill Country.
