Ms. Lewter’s career has primarily been focused on- business development in the commercial real estate and public sectors. Notably, she was the originator of the first business development program for the Central Business District, serving as Business Development Director for Central Houston, Inc., and Economic Development Director for the Downtown District, a special assessment district. The programs were focused on the recruitment and retention of office, retail, and residents. During her tenure office vacancy rates fell to 3% from 17%, and the CBD saw its first true retail and residential development in decades. She worked on the successful rail referendum, and the referendums to bring baseball and basketball stadiums to the CBD. She was instrumental in securing the first downtown circulator – old-fashioned trolley cars. The grant program she led attracted many small businesses to open restaurants and retail businesses at street level in an effort to attract pedestrian traffic. A proud accomplishment was saving the former Sakowitz Building from alterations that would have closed it from street level and to position it for future retail use.
Ms. Lewter also served as Sr. Vice President, Business Development for a corporate real estate and tenant representation firm, and Operations Manager with a large commercial real estate firm.
Ms. Lewter served on the Board of the Metropolitan Transit Authority, Position 4, representing the City of Houston. She was appointed by Mayor Annise Parker in 2013, and co-chaired the Public Safety and Real Estate Committees, as well as serving on the Government Affairs, People, and Capital Programs Committees.
In addition, she has held leadership positions in many organizations including serving as chair of AIDS Foundation Houston, Leadership Houston, founding member of CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women), The United Way Women’s Initiative, The Book and Author Dinner, The Alley Gala, Rice Design Alliance Gala Underwriting, Houston Architectural Foundation Gala, and The Professional Group. Her board service has included both Hermann Park Conservancy and The Heritage Society, where she was a member of both executive committees. She served as president of the Holly Hall Retirement Community and remains on the executive committee and co-chairs the Long Range Planning Committee.
Ms. Lewter was appointed to the Houston Police Academy Criminal Justice Advisory Committee where she has served continuously since 1993, and previously was appointed to the Mayor’s International Advisory Council by Mayor Bill White.
She was named a CREW- Local Legend for recognition of outstanding service to women in the commercial real estate community, and chaired a national CREW conference in Houston. She received a Leadership Houston award-Distinguished Alumni, and National Association of Community Leadership award for outstanding leadership. She received The Federation of Houston Professional Women award- Outstanding Woman; was named by Houston Magazine as a Woman to Watch; and received a Clean Houston, Inc.- Proud Partners Award for the Sandy Reed Buffalo Bayou Memorial Project. She was also selected by Houston Women Magazine as one of the fifty most influential women in Houston for 2014.
Ms. Lewter is married to Michael Lewter. They are advocates for the preservation of mid-century homes and buildings in the Houston area. Additionally, Diann and Mike devote a great deal of their time to supporting Camp for All, a barrier-free camp for children and adults with disabilities in Burton, Texas. They were recently honored for their service at the Camp for All Houston Gala.