Speaker – Teresa Garcia Castro – Print Version – 2024 Sister Cities International All Americas Summit (2024)

Table of Contents

Teresa Garcia Castro Director for Government Relations, Latin America, Immigration, Emerson Collective Joshua Dean Director Security Defense and Resopnse, CPS Energy, San Antonio, Texas Joshua Dean Director Security Defense and Resopnse, CPS Energy, San Antonio, Texas Emery Johnson Founder: Against, All Odds Rise Emery Johnson Founder: Against, All Odds Rise Dave Krupinski Chief Operating Officer, Visit San Antonio Dave Krupinski Chief Operating Officer, Visit San Antonio Laura Odegaard Cultural Investment Program Manager, Economic Development Department, City of Austin, USA Laura Odegaard Cultural Investment Program Manager, Economic Development Department, City of Austin, USA Maggie Powers Director of Policy and Advocacy, Mayors Migration Council, USA Maggie Powers Director of Policy and Advocacy, Mayors Migration Council, USA Teresa Garcia Castro Director for Government Relations, Latin America, Immigration, Emerson Collective Vincent Robinson Harper’s Chapel Chef Jesse Kirk Ocho Restaurant, San Antonio, Texas Chef Jesse Kirk Ocho Restaurant, San Antonio, Texas Teresa Garcia Castro Director for Government Relations, Latin America, Immigration, Emerson Collective Teresa Garcia Castro Director for Government Relations, Latin America, Immigration, Emerson Collective Jorge Canavati Principal J. Canavati & Co. LLC, San Antonio Texas, USA Jorge Canavati Principal J. Canavati & Co. LLC, San Antonio Texas, USA Gabriela Coelho Lemos Senior Protection Officer, UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, USA Gabriela Coelho Lemos Senior Protection Officer, UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, USA Pete Garcia President, United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce-Houston-The Woodlands-Gulf Coast Chapter Pete Garcia President, United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce-Houston-The Woodlands-Gulf Coast Chapter Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia City of San Antonio Councilmember and Liaison to the Port San Antonio Board of Directors Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia City of San Antonio Councilmember and Liaison to the Port San Antonio Board of Directors Dr. Rafael Hoyle Director, Liza and Jack Lewis Center of the Americas, University of the Incarnate World, Texas, USA Dr. Rafael Hoyle Director, Liza and Jack Lewis Center of the Americas, University of the Incarnate World, Texas, USA Adriana Pulecio International Business and Trade Development Manager, City of El Paso, Texas, USA Adriana Pulecio International Business and Trade Development Manager, City of El Paso, Texas, USA Pam Foley City Councilmember, City of San Jose and Boardmember of Sister Cities International Pam Foley City Councilmember, City of San Jose and Boardmember of Sister Cities International Major General Dustin Shultz Director of Intelligence, U.S. Army Element Southern Command, Florida, USA Major General Dustin Shultz Director of Intelligence, U.S. Army Element Southern Command, Florida, USA Phyllis Viagran Councilmember, City of San Antonio Phyllis Viagran Councilmember, City of San Antonio Juan Ayala Major General (USMC Retired), Director, Military and Veteran Affairs Department, Honorary Member, Metropolitan Health District, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA Valerie Narvaez Director of Homeless Services Juan Ayala Major General (USMC Retired), Director, Military and Veteran Affairs Department, Honorary Member, Metropolitan Health District, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA Juan Ayala Major General (USMC Retired), Director, Military and Veteran Affairs Department, Honorary Member, Metropolitan Health District, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA Professor Jean Bailey Professor at Howard University Professor Jean Bailey Professor at Howard University Kent Britton Chief Executive Officer for the Port of Corpus Christi Kent Britton Chief Executive Officer for the Port of Corpus Christi Salvador Lopez Chief Environmental OfficerNorth American Development Bank Salvador Lopez Chief Environmental OfficerNorth American Development Bank Carlos Bañuelos Barrios Director of Creative Industries, Guadalajara, Mexico Carlos Bañuelos Barrios Director of Creative Industries, Guadalajara, Mexico Miriam Kotkowski President of Tecma Transportation Services (TTS) Miriam Kotkowski President of Tecma Transportation Services (TTS) Jenny Carnes President & CEO at San Antonio Sports Jenny Carnes President & CEO at San Antonio Sports Fernando Barrera Associate Director of OriginationNorth American Development Bank Fernando Barrera Associate Director of OriginationNorth American Development Bank Peter Ives Sister City Liaison and UNESCO Volunteer, New Mexico, USA Peter Ives Sister City Liaison and UNESCO Volunteer, New Mexico, USA Dr. Robert Mace Executive Director of Financial Services, Corporate and Public Sectors, North American Development Bank Dr. Robert Mace Executive Director of Financial Services, Corporate and Public Sectors, North American Development Bank Tad Parzen President and CEO of the Burnham Center for Community Advancement Tad Parzen President and CEO of the Burnham Center for Community Advancement Susy Osorio-Kinsky and Steve Kinsky Lions Club of Denver, USA Susy Osorio-Kinsky and Steve Kinsky Lions Club of Denver, USA Colonel Bryan B. Tuinman Commandant, Inter-American Air Forces Academy (IAAFA) Colonel Bryan B. Tuinman Commandant, Inter-American Air Forces Academy (IAAFA) Judge Peter Sakai Bexar County Judge Judge Peter Sakai Bexar County Judge Kevin Barthold City Auditor, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA Kevin Barthold City Auditor, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA Richard Hernàndez Administrator, Municipal Integrity Office, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA Richard Hernàndez Administrator, Municipal Integrity Office, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA Dr. Maria Giner U.S. Commissioner of the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico Dr. Maria Giner U.S. Commissioner of the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico Daniel Richetti Deputy Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy, U.S. Department of State Daniel Ricchetti Deputy Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy, U.S. Department of State Dan Geddes San Antonio Region President at Frost Bank Dan Geddes San Antonio Region President at Frost Bank Angelique McKay Head of the Department, The Orange Economy Unit of the Bahamas Angelique McKay Head of the Department, The Orange Economy Unit of the Bahamas Daedelus Hoffman Curatorial and Education Director at the Oklahoma State University Museum of Art, USA Daedelus Hoffman Curatorial and Education Director at the Oklahoma State University Museum of Art, USA Celeste Nuñez Salcido Chair of the Albuquerque-Guadalajara Committee, Albuquerque Sister Cities International, USA Celeste Nuñez Salcido Chair of the Albuquerque-Guadalajara Committee, Albuquerque Sister Cities International, USA Sudeshna Chatterjee Global Engagement Officer, Miami-Dade County International Trade, Florida, USA Sudeshna Chatterjee Global Engagement Officer, Miami-Dade County International Trade, Florida, USA Bill Boerum President and Chief Executive Officer, Brooks, San Antonio, Texas, USA Bill Boerum Sister Cities International Representative to the Organization of American States Leo Gomez President and Chief Executive Officer, Brooks, San Antonio, Texas, USA Leo Gomez President and Chief Executive Officer, Brooks, San Antonio, Texas, USA Omar Martinez Grants and Strategic Initiatives Manager, City of El Paso, Texas, USA Omar Martinez Community Engagement Manager, Microsoft, USA Jonathan "J.J." Childress Community Engagement Manager, Microsoft, USA Jonathan "J.J." Childress Community Engagement Manager, Microsoft, USA Rod McSherry Associate Vice President and Director, Institute for Economic Development, UTSA, Texas, USA Rod McSherry Associate Vice President and Director, Institute for Economic Development, UTSA, Texas, USA Stephen Kenyah Arthur Bahamas and Ghana Sister Cities President Stephen Kenyah Arthur Bahamas and Ghana Sister Cities President Teri Simmons Partner, Arnall Golden Gregory, Georgia, USA Teri Simmons Partner, Arnall Golden Gregory, Georgia, USA Ken Nelson President, Asheville Sister Cities Ken Nelson President, Asheville Sister Cities Sacha Francois Heppell Executive Director, Denver Sister Cities International, Colorado, USA Sacha Francois Heppell Executive Director, Denver Sister Cities International, Colorado, USA Phil Cullen Senior Director of Organizational Development and Basketball Operations, San Antonio Spurs, San Antonio, Texas, USA Phil Cullen Senior Director of Organizational Development and Basketball Operations, San Antonio Spurs, San Antonio, Texas, USA Gerry Schwebel Executive Vice President, Corporate International Division, IBC Bank, USA Gerry Schwebel Executive Vice President, Corporate International Division, IBC Bank, USA Juan Arcereto Binational Director, City of Juarez, Mexico Juan Arcereto Binational Director, City of Juarez, Mexico Carol Robertson López Chair-Emeritus, Sister Cities International Carol Robertson López Chair-Emeritus, Sister Cities International Nana John Canoe II (Christopher Davis) Head of Research and Museum Department, Clifton Heritage National Park (Bahamas) Nana John Canoe II (Christopher Davis) Head of Research and Museum Department, Clifton Heritage National Park (Bahamas) Clint Schelbitzki Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs, Union Pacific, San Antonio, Texas Clint Schelbitzki Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs, Union Pacific, San Antonio, Texas Peter Svarzbein Chairman, Sister Cities International Peter Svarzbein Chairman, Sister Cities International Mario D'Agostino Deputy City Manager, City of El Paso, USA Mario D'Agostino Deputy City Manager, City of El Paso, USA Martha Vera Honorary Consul of Spain in El Paso, Sister Cities International Country Representative to Spain, Fellow, Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness, El Paso, Texas, USA Martha Vera Honorary Consul of Spain in El Paso, Sister Cities International Country Representative to Spain, Fellow, Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness, El Paso, Texas, USA Andrés Muñoz Chief Marketing Officer, Visit San Antonio Andrés Muñoz Chief Marketing Officer, Visit San Antonio Jim Perschbach President and CEO, Port San Antonio Jim Perschbach President and CEO, Port San Antonio Councilman Manny Pelaez San Antonio's City Council for District 8 Councilman Manny Pelaez City of San Antonio Chair of the Economic and Workforce Committee & Board Member of Sister Cities International Virginia Carefoote Harvard Fellow, Economic Development Department, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA Virginia Carefoote Harvard Fellow, Economic Development Department, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA Caitlin Cowart Small Business Development Manager, Economic Development Department, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA Caitlin Cowart Small Business Development Manager, Economic Development Department, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA Doug Greene San Antonio Police Department Doug Greene San Antonio Police Department Lieutenant Jacob Garza San Antonio Police Department, Texas, USA Lieutenant Jacob Garza San Antonio Police Department, Texas, USA Walter Ulrich President & CEO of Medical Bridges Walter Ulrich President & CEO of Medical Bridges Susan Harper Consul General of Canada in Dallas, Texas, USA Susan Harper Consul General of Canada in Dallas, Texas, USA Suhail Aratsu Advancement Director, Musical Bridges Around the World, San Antonio, Texas, USA Suhail Aratsu Advancement Director, Musical Bridges Around the World, San Antonio, Texas, USA Raul B. Rodriguez Community and Thought Leader, Nonresident Fellow, Rice University's Baker Institute Center for the U.S. and Mexico, USA Raul B. Rodriguez Community and Thought Leader, Nonresident Fellow, Rice University's Baker Institute Center for the U.S. and Mexico, USA Ruth Hughs Former Secretary of State, Austin Chamber of Commerce Ruth Hughs Former Secretary of State, Austin Chamber of Commerce David Fonseca Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Jockey Ventures Latin Americas, Bogota, Colombia David Fonseca Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Jockey Ventures Latin Americas, Bogota, Colombia Ricki Garrett Interim President and CEO of Sister Cities International Ricki Garrett Interim President and CEO of Sister Cities International Joseph E. Lopez Manager of Irving International Affairs and Sister Cities for the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce Joseph E. Lopez Manager of Irving International Affairs and Sister Cities for the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce Owen Herrnstadt Owen Herrnstadt The Honorable Owen Herrnstadt, Member, Board of Directors of the U.S. Export Import Bank Officer Joel Pope San Antonio Police Officer Officer Joel Pope San Antonio Police Officer Mayor Frank Scarpitti Mayor of Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti Mayor of Markham Martha Henry International Relations Manager, Global Engagement Division, Economic Development Department, City of San Antonio Martha Henry International Relations Manager, Global Engagement Division, Economic Development Department, City of San Antonio Maricarmen Plata Secretary for Access to Rights & Equity, U.S. Mission to the Organization of American States Maricarmen Plata Secretary for Access to Rights & Equity, U.S. Mission to the Organization of American States Marcello Belinati Martins Mayor of Londrina Marcello Belinati Martins Mayor of Londrina Luis G. Moreno Former U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica, Texas, USA Ambassador Luis G. Moreno Former U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica, Texas, USA Laura Patiño Commissioner, City of Miami Beach Commission, Florida, USA Laura Patiño Commissioner, City of Miami Beach Commission, Florida, USA Karen Ballard Global Travel & Tourism Team Leader, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, USA Karen Ballard Global Travel & Tourism Team Leader, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, USA Ambassador Juan B. Sosa Former Ambassador of Panama to the US and President of the Panama-Business Council Ambassador Juan B. Sosa Former Ambassador of Panama to the US and President of the Panama-Business Council João Luiz Martins Esteves Lawyer, PhD in Legal Sciences from the Doctoral Program of the Federal University of Santa Catarina – UFSC João Luiz Martins Esteves Lawyer, PhD in Legal Sciences from the Doctoral Program of the Federal University of Santa Catarina – UFSC Jessica Nguyen Trade Development Manage, Port Houston Jessica Nguyen Trade Development Manage, Port Houston Jayme Staley Executive Director of Greater Columbus Sister Cities International Jayme Staley Executive Director of Greater Columbus Sister Cities International Janis Burke CEO at Harris County - Houston Sports Authority Janis Burke CEO at Harris County - Houston Sports Authority Jag Badwal Ontario Agent General, representing Government of Ontario in Southern States of US Jag Badwal Ontario Agent General, representing Government of Ontario in Southern states of US Fred Blanton SCI Honorary Board Chair Fred Blanton State Representative for the State of Virginia, Sister Cities International, Staunton, Virginia, USA Fatima Benge Member, SCI Board of Directors and CountryRepresentative to Angola - President, Houston Luanda Sister City Association Fatima Benge Member, SCI Board of Directors and CountryRepresentative to Angola - President, Houston Luanda Sister City Association Dr. Sheila Walker Cultural Anthropologist and Documentary Filmmaker Dr. Sheila Walker Cultural Anthropologist and Documentary Filmmaker Dionísio Manuel da Fonseca Minister of Local Government of the Republic of Angola Dionísio Manuel da Fonseca Minister of Local Government of the Republic of Angola Donna Scantlebury Jacksonville Sister Cities International, Florida, USA Donna Scantlebury Jacksonville Sister Cities International, Florida, USA Colleen Swain Director of the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office Colleen Swain Director of the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office Camila Kunau Assistant City Attorney for the City of San Antonio Camila Kunau Assistant City Attorney for the City of San Antonio Brenda Frinks President at Sun City Events & Entertainment Brenda Frinks President at Sun City Events & Entertainment Betsabé Rocha Nieto Interim Mayor of the City of Monterrey Betsabé Rocha Nieto Interim Mayor of the City of Monterrey Ambassador James Creagan Former US Ambassador to Honduras & Ambassador in Residence, University of the Incarnate Word 4. Martha V Ambassador James Creagan Former US Ambassador to Honduras & Ambassador in Residence, University of the Incarnate Word 4. Martha V Alexa Storzinger Mayor of North Miami Mayor Alix Desulme Mayor of North Miami Alexa Storzinger International Economic Development Manager, City of San Antonio Alfred Breuer International Economic Development Manager, City of San Antonio, Global Engagement Division, Economic Development Department, City of San Antonio Alexa Storzinger Program Coordinator at Sister Cities International Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Alexa Storzinger Program Coordinator at Sister Cities International Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Liz Rodrigues Director of Governance and International Relations of the Londrina City Hall Liz Rodrigues Director of Governance and International Relations of the Londrina City Hall Dinah McDougall Senior Commercial Officer, South Texas Regional Office, U.S. Commercial Service Dinah McDougall Senior Commercial Officer, South Texas Regional Office, U.S. Commercial Service Kendee Yamaguchi Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Field at the International Trade Administration Kendee Yamaguchi Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Field at the International Trade Administration Carlo Capua Chief of Strategy and Innovation for the City of Fort Worth Carlo Capua Chief of Strategy and Innovation for the City of Fort Worth Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert III Chairman of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert III Chairman of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners Chelsea Collier Founder of Digi.City Chelsea Collier Founder of Digi.City Sunchai Khemalaap Deputy Chief Security Officer and Alamo Regional Security Operation Center (ARSOC), City of San Antonio, Texas Sunchai Khemalaap Deputy Chief Security Officer and Alamo Regional Security Operation Center (ARSOC), City of San Antonio, Texas Herbert Espinoza Consul General of Costa Rica Herbert Espinoza Consul General of Costa Rica Cintia Smith Secretary of Innovation and Open Government of the Government of Monterrey Cintia Smith Secretary of Innovation and Open Government of the Government of Monterrey David West Mayor of Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada David West Mayor of Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada Eva A. Millona Assistant Secretary for Partnership and Engagement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, USA Eva A. Millona Assistant Secretary for Partnership and Engagement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, USA Jenna Saucedo President & CEO of greater: SATX Jenna Saucedo President & CEO of greater: SATX José Luis Falconi Assistant Professor of Art and Human Rights at the University of Connecticut José Luis Falconi Assistant Professor of Art and Human Rights at the University of Connecticut Marisa Calder Director of Operations for Students of Service (SOS) Marisa Calder Director of Operations for Students of Service (SOS) Mayor Jim Ross Mayor of Arlington Mayor Jim Ross Mayor of Arlington Michael Orlove Director of State, Regional & Local Partnerships Michael Orlove Director of State, Regional & Local Partnerships Commissioner Laura Dominguez Miami Beach City Commissioner Commissioner Laura Dominguez Miami Beach City Commissioner Lynare Robbins Owner and Operator of Culture Rise Travel Design Lynare Robbins Member and Board of Directors, Sister Cities International, USA Michael Rosales U.S. Commercial Service Director for the Central & South Texas Region Michael Rosales U.S. Commercial Service Director for the Central & South Texas Region Patsy Boozer Chief Security Officer (CSO) and Director of the Alamo Regional Security Operations Center (ARSOC) for the City of San Antonio. Patsy Boozer Chief Security Officer (CSO) and Director of the Alamo Regional Security Operations Center (ARSOC) for the City of San Antonio. Maria Elena Perez Compliance Auditor for the City of San Antonio Maria Elena Perez Compliance Auditor for the City of San Antonio Paul Bardwil Economic Development at Duran HCP Paul Bardwil Economic Development at Duran HCP Rachel Mukai Stark Smart Cities Program Manager, City of Charlotte, North Carolina, USA Rachel Mukai Stark Smart Cities Program Manager, City of Charlotte, North Carolina, USA Amir Samandi Founder and Executive Director of Students of Service (SOS) Amir Samandi Founder and Executive Director of Students of Service (SOS) Antonio Arelle Barquet Director of the Museo de Arte de Querétaro Antonio Arelle Barquet Director of the Museo de Arte de Querétaro Carlos Ealy Assistant Secretary for Mexican and Border Affairs, Texas Secretary of State Carlos Ealy Assistant Secretary for Mexican and Border Affairs, Texas Secretary of State David Vequist Founder and Director of the Center for Medical Tourism Research David Vequist Founder and Director of the Center for Medical Tourism Research Dona Regis-Prosper Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Dona Regis-Prosper Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Emily Royall Smart Cities Administrator in the Information & Technology Services Department for the City of San Antonio Emily Royall Smart Cities Administrator in the Information & Technology Services Department for the City of San Antonio Felipe Cardenas President of the LGBT Chamber of Merchants of Colombia Felipe Cardenas President of the LGBT Chamber of Merchants of Colombia Gene Lindgren President & CEO of Laredo Economic Development Corporation Gene Lindgren President & CEO of Laredo Economic Development Corporation Jesus Saenz Director of Airports, City of San Antonio Jesus Saenz Director of Airports, City of San Antonio José Ralat Author of American Tacos: A History & Guide José Ralat Author of American Tacos: A History & Guide Mayor Juan Francisco Ramírez Salcido Acting Mayor of Guadalajara Mayor Juan Francisco Ramírez Salcido Acting Mayor of Guadalajara Linda Stone Executive Director of Texas Water Mission Linda Stone Executive Director of Texas Water Mission Marilyn Turkovich Executive Director at the International Charter for Compassion Marilyn Turkovich Executive Director at the International Charter for Compassion Mayor Ron Nirenberg Mayor of San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg Mayor of San Antonio Shahrzad Dowlatshahi Chief Diplomacy & Protocol Officer for the City of San Antonio Sherry Dowlatshahi Chief Diplomacy & Protocol Officer for the City of San Antonio Rachel Connell President & CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Rachel Connell Vice President of NASCO Ramiro Cavazos President & CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Ramiro Cavazos President & CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce References

SPEAKERS

NOTICE:
This is an early version of the speakers page and is subject to change.

Know more at allamericassummit.sistercities.org

Teresa Garcia Castro

Director for Government Relations, Latin America, Immigration, Emerson Collective

Immigration in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 PM to 12:00 AM

Immigration in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 PM to 12:00 AM

Teresa Garcia is the Director of Government Relations for Latin America with Emerson Collective’s Immigration team, where she leads engagement with key Latin American governments to advance migration policies that help manage the unprecedented movement of people. She works with city-level leaders to facilitate collaboration and promote and replicate city-level solutions to displacement at scale. Prior to joining Emerson Collective, Teresa worked at the Open Society Foundations as a Special Advisor and at the Washington Office on Latin America. Teresa has an M.A. in International Relations from the School of International Service at American University and graduated at the top of her class at the Higher Institute of International Relations in Havana, Cuba. In 2023, she was named a Lideres Fellow by Hispanics in Philanthropy.

Joshua Dean

Director Security Defense and Resopnse, CPS Energy, San Antonio, Texas

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
09:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Josh Dean is board certified in Security Management by ASIS International as a Certified Protection Professional, CPP. Josh has served in public safety and critical infrastructure security for almost thirty years and has experience in physical and cyber security, business continuity and emergency management, criminal justice, crime prevention, and public education. Licenses include Master Peace Officer, Emergency Medical Technician, and Police Instructor. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Sul Ross State University and a Master of Justice Administration from St. Mary’s University. Josh is currently the Director of Security Defense & Response for CPS Energy.

Joshua Dean

Director Security Defense and Resopnse, CPS Energy, San Antonio, Texas

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
09:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Emery Johnson

Founder: Against, All Odds Rise

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
09:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Raised in Indian Creek on the Southwest Side of San Antonio. Deacon at Lighthouse Christian Temple. A husband, father and  grandfather.  Currently serving on the San Antonio Apartment Association Board, Vice President of SAAA Products Service Council, serves on the SAAA Education Committee, Government Affairs Committee and Outreach Committee. Vision is to help others get closer to a lasting change.

Emery Johnson

Founder: Against, All Odds Rise

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
09:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Dave Krupinski

Chief Operating Officer, Visit San Antonio

Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
03:00 PM to 6:00 AM

For more than 30 years, Dave Krupinski has been an impact player in the destination marketing, hotel and transportation industries. Currently, as Global Development Officer for Visit San Antonio, he leads the growth of San Antonio as a global brand into new audiences and markets around the world. In San Antonio, the seventh-largest city in the country welcoming over 36.8 million visitors annually, Dave oversees the tourism trade channels and sales, air service development and marketing and global growth strategy of a $19 billion tourism and hospitality industry. His versatility and deep passion for what he does includes proactive roles with the U.S. Travel Association, National Tour Association, American Bus Association and Student Youth Travel Association, along with several civic engagements in San Antonio.

Prior to being promoted to Global Development Officer in May 2024, Dave served as Chief Operating Officer (COO), a role he took on when joining the organization in 2013. During his time as COO, Dave at varying periods oversaw the company’s River Walk operations, membership, events, tourism development, marketing, communications and visitor information center.

Under Dave’s watch at Visit San Antonio, San Antonio has produced one of the most successful IPW tradeshows in its more than 50-year history, launched the first-ever transatlantic flight connecting the Alamo City to Frankfurt, Germany, and debuted new, annual destination events including Holidays on Houston Street and River Walk Live!, among many other milestones. Dave led the CVB’s efforts to join San Antonio partners in the successful 2015 bid for World Heritage Site status for its historic Spanish colonial missions, including the Alamo. He has spearheaded the expansion of innovative direct-to-consumer campaigns with valued hospitality partners and in the successful transition of the San Antonio CVB from a municipal entity to Visit San Antonio a public-private nonprofit.

Prior to moving to San Antonio, Dave served as the Vice President of Tourism for the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau, where he was responsible for cultural tourism, special event and attractions development, international strategic plans, air service development and partnership development opportunities.  He is a proud graduate of the University of Toledo, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Individual Studies, Hotel/Restaurant Administration. Dave and his wife, Karen, are parents to son Zachary, a businessman in San Antonio, and grandparents to Zen. In his spare time, Dave and his family enjoy whitewater rafting excursions and traveling to unique destinations domestically and internationally.

Dave Krupinski

Chief Operating Officer, Visit San Antonio

Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
03:00 PM to 6:00 AM

Laura Odegaard

Cultural Investment Program Manager, Economic Development Department, City of Austin, USA

Creative Cities Collaborating Across the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 AM to 12:00 AM

Laura Odegaard (she/her) currently serves as the Acting Cultural Arts Division Manager for the City of Austin’s Economic Development Department where she is responsible for developing arts, culture, and creative industries as economic development strategies, overseeing current programs and services for the creative community, facilitating planning and integration of initiatives into larger civic and community efforts, and seeking innovative policies to advance local, regional, and national arts conversations. She currently serves as the Focal Point for Austin’s UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts.

Prior to her time in Austin, Laura worked with artists, curators, and museums in the U.S., Europe, and the Caucasus Region developing exhibitions, innovative community engagement, and sustainable business strategies. Laura has studied Public Policy with the London School of Economics and has Master’s degrees from both Carnegie Mellon University (Arts Management/Public Policy) and the Università di Bologna (Cultural Economics and Innovation). Laura believes in the power of an equitable, accessible, and sustainable cultural ecosystem and its role in transforming a City.

Laura Odegaard

Cultural Investment Program Manager, Economic Development Department, City of Austin, USA

Creative Cities Collaborating Across the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 AM to 12:00 AM

Maggie Powers

Director of Policy and Advocacy, Mayors Migration Council, USA

Immigration in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 PM to 12:00 AM

Maggie Powers joined the Mayors Migration Council (MMC) in February 2020.

In her capacity as the Director of Policy and Advocacy, Maggie leads the MMC’s City Diplomacy Program. Her goal is to support mayors to influence policy decisions at the national and international level to ensure they reflect and address the realities in cities–where most migrants live. Through this work she develops strategies and programs to elevate mayors and their local actions to global stages, deliver joint city advocacy campaigns, and create bridges for cities to influence national and global change-makers. As part of her work at the MMC, Maggie leads the C40-MMC Global Mayors Task Force on Climate and Migration (C40-MMC Task Force).

Maggie previously served as a consulting advisor to the Open Society Foundations, where she supported the incubation phase of the MMC and advised on city diplomacy related to refugee protection. She also served as an advisor to Columbia University’s International Mobility Group and the Associate Director of Columbia University’s Global Policy Initiative (CGPI), where she oversaw the International Migration Project. At CGPI she supported the mandate of the former Special Representative of the Secretary General for International Migration, Mr. Peter Sutherland, from 2014 to 2017 and she led efforts to raise mayors’ and city authorities’ voices on migration at the United Nations. While at CGPI, she also established a commission of academics to develop a Model International Mobility Convention, a long-term advocacy tool to promote a holistic, rights-respecting legal regime for all those who cross borders. Maggie holds a master’s degree in human rights from Columbia University where she focused on atrocity prevention and humanitarian protection. She is based in New York.

Maggie Powers

Director of Policy and Advocacy, Mayors Migration Council, USA

Immigration in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 AM to 12:00 AM

Maggie Powers joined the Mayors Migration Council (MMC) in February 2020.

Teresa Garcia Castro

Director for Government Relations, Latin America, Immigration, Emerson Collective

Immigration in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 PM to 12:00 AM

Vincent Robinson

Harper’s Chapel

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
09:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Vincent Robinson is the Pastor of Harpers Chapel Ministries, located in the west side of San Antonio, Texas. With a successful background in the glass industry, specifically in commercial glazing, Vincent’s expertise as a former General Manager overseeing commercial development has greatly contributed to his leadership at Harpers Chapel. Beyond his pastoral duties, Vincent is deeply committed to community engagement and serves as a co-chair for the impactful West End Hope in Action initiative, Vincent actively works towards creating positive change and opportunities within the community. He has also established a valuable partnership with the Department of Human Services’ homeless division, overseeing the resource hub at Harpers Chapel to provide essential support for those in need. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Commissioners for San Antonio Opportunity Homes.

Originally from San Antonio’s west side, Vincent finds immense joy and fulfillment in his loving marriage and the proud upbringing of his three wonderful daughters.

Chef Jesse Kirk

Ocho Restaurant, San Antonio, Texas

Food as Love: a Conversation on Culture and Cuisine in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

My career trajectory has been unorthodox, but I wouldn’t have done anything differently. Before getting into the kitchen, I was actually a server. The kitchen was calling though, as it was the place that brought me the most happiness and allowed me to be my most authentic self. I attended the Culinary Institute of America from 2013-2015 and learned more in that two years than anytime in my life prior. Thereafter, I was fortunate enough to build upon that at the Seasons of my Heart Culinary School in Oaxaca where I met Chef Susana Trilling who instilled a foundation and love for authentic Mexican cooking that has fueled my passion and curiosity to this day. I was able to take this knowledge and dive head first into an Executive Chef role with a leading boutique hotel in San Antonio, that challenged and helped me to grow.

My mother letting me “help” her with the preparation of tamales when I was 6 years old is the first memory I have of cooking. They say people have what are called keystone memories that have a hand in forming who you are. I can still remember the spark of joy and connection I felt with my family, creating and sharing this connection with others is a driving force in my food today.

What I’ve learned coupled with where I’ve come from has formented a cooking style I would describe as simple straightforward and from the heart. My goal is always to bring together flavors people may have never tried in a way that is approachable and delicious.

Today you can find me at Milpa, a food truck showcasing often overlooked Mexican street foods. More is on the horizon, my team operating as Raza Restaurant Group is working hard to bring even more authentic and inspired choices to San Antonio.

Chef Jesse Kirk

Ocho Restaurant, San Antonio, Texas

Food as Love: a Conversation on Culture and Cuisine in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

Teresa Garcia Castro

Director for Government Relations, Latin America, Immigration, Emerson Collective

Immigration in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 PM to 12:00 AM

Teresa Garcia Castro

Director for Government Relations, Latin America, Immigration, Emerson Collective

Immigration in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 PM to 12:00 AM

Jorge Canavati

Principal J. Canavati & Co. LLC, San Antonio Texas, USA

Supply Chains and Transportation in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
09:00 AM to 10:30 AM

JorgeCanavatiis the principal at J.Canavati& Co. LLC, an international logistics and trade consulting firm. Services include international commercial representation and agency work. His company is an agent for the following companies: 1) Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. purveyors ofworldwide logistics solutions, 2) Eastrong International Logistics

Mr.Canavatihas over 35 years of experience in international trade, multimodal transportation, air cargo and logistics. He is the author of various articles and editorials on trade and transportation issues with a focus on the NAFTA marketplace. Mr.Canavatiis on the board of various international trade organizations. He is immediate past chair (2021-2022) of Global Chamber San Antonio ; executive vice president and board member of the National Importers and Exporters Association of Mexico (ANIERM) for North America. He is a member of the following organizations: Camino Real District Export Council appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, theTexas Advisory Committee U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. He is a board member of the San Antonio-Mexico Friendship Council (SAMFCO); he is a board member of the San Antonio Council for International Visitors (SACIV). Mr.Canavatiwas recently appointed by Mayor Nirenberg to the Airport System Development Committee. Its purpose is to strategically consider the future aviation needs of the San Antonio region as it grows over the next 30 to 50 years.

He was added to the San Antonio Business Journal “Who’s Who” list in Energy logistics. He lectures at various universities and participates on various high-level panels per year at international trade events. He was an invited educator-lecturer twice a year at the School of Law post graduate studies (Energy Law Master’s degree) program at the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo Leon (UANL) in Monterrey where he lectured on the “Basics of Energy Logistics.”

Receiver of a Port San Antonio resolution for outstanding achievements in logistics (establishment of an intermodal corridor from China to the U.S. through Mexico). Sep 2006
Receiver of a Texas Secretary of State recognition award for outstanding economic development work for the State of Texas. 2012
Recipient ofthe San Antonio Council for International Visitors (SACIV) “International Leadership Award” for his contribution to promoting citizen diplomacy in the community. 2020
Recognized by the U.S. Commercial Service/Dept of Commerce during Hispanic Heritage month for facilitating fuel exports to Mexico
Receiver of the Export Achievement Certificate Award 2023 from the International Trade Administration- Department of Commerce. One of two San Antonio companies to receive this distinction.

He has been married for 40 years to Daisy Miriam and has two adult professional children, Jorge Mauricio and Gabriela Sofía, a daughter-in-law Michelle Gonzales and a two lovely grandchildren: Penelope Michelle and Jorge Mateo.

Formerly:

Consultant to the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) Border Trade Advisory Committee (BTAC).
Chair of the International Energy Commission of ANIERM
Board of directors of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and co-chair of the international business committee of the same organization
Chair of the Logistics Subcomittee of the Asociación de Empresarios Mexicanos (AEM) Energy Committee

HOBBIES include:

Music with a focus on Jazz: He is the host of “Jazz de México”, a jazz program on KRTU 91.7 FM in San Antonio, Texas and worldwide, Trinity University Radio, broadcasting Sundays nights 7:00-9:00pm Central Standard Time. The only jazz program in the world focused on Jazz from México.

Cooking: Specializing in live fire and BBQ
Reading: Biographies & works on the economic history of World Trade

Jorge Canavati

Principal J. Canavati & Co. LLC, San Antonio Texas, USA

Supply Chains and Transportation in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
09:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Receiver of a Port San Antonio resolution for outstanding achievements in logistics (establishment of an intermodal corridor from China to the U.S. through Mexico). Sep 2006
Receiver of a Texas Secretary of State recognition award for outstanding economic development work for the State of Texas. 2012
Recipient ofthe San Antonio Council for International Visitors (SACIV) “International Leadership Award” for his contribution to promoting citizen diplomacy in the community. 2020
Recognized by the U.S. Commercial Service/Dept of Commerce during Hispanic Heritage month for facilitating fuel exports to Mexico
Receiver of the Export Achievement Certificate Award 2023 from the International Trade Administration- Department of Commerce. One of two San Antonio companies to receive this distinction.

Formerly:

Consultant to the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) Border Trade Advisory Committee (BTAC).
Chair of the International Energy Commission of ANIERM
Board of directors of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and co-chair of the international business committee of the same organization
Chair of the Logistics Subcomittee of the Asociación de Empresarios Mexicanos (AEM) Energy Committee

HOBBIES include:

Cooking: Specializing in live fire and BBQ
Reading: Biographies & works on the economic history of World Trade

Gabriela Coelho Lemos

Senior Protection Officer, UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, USA

Immigration in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 AM to 12:00 PM

Gabriela Coelho Lemos is a Senior Protection Officer at the UNHCR Multi-Country Office Washington D.C.

Gabriela is a Brazilian national who has worked with UNHCR for more than a decade, having served in various capacities in Chad, Afghanistan, and Mozambique, as well as in the Americas in assignments with the Regional Bureau and Mexico.

Gabriela has dedicated her career in UNHCR to promote inclusion and protection of asylum seekers and refugees in their host communities, working very closely to municipalities across the world. Before joining UNHCR, Gabriela worked in the private sector on issues related to corporate social responsibility.

Gabriela earned a degree in International Relations from the Catholic University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and a Master’s degree in Humanitarian Affairs from the University of Geneva, Switzerland.

Gabriela Coelho Lemos

Senior Protection Officer, UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, USA

Immigration in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 AM to 12:00 PM

Gabriela Coelho Lemos is a Senior Protection Officer at the UNHCR Multi-Country Office Washington D.C.

Gabriela earned a degree in International Relations from the Catholic University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and a Master’s degree in Humanitarian Affairs from the University of Geneva, Switzerland.

Pete Garcia

President, United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce-Houston-The Woodlands-Gulf Coast Chapter

Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
03:00 PM to 6:00 AM

Pete is the Chairman of the United States – Mexico Chamber of Commerce for Houston-The Woodlands and Gulf Coast. This unique chamber of commerce is a Bi-national organization with 20 chapters throughout the US and Mexico with the purpose of developing foreign trade and investment. Pete founded this chapter in 2011 and has held positions of Executive Director and President.

He founded and is President of Pete Garcia International, a consultancy firm which helps companies establish foreign businesses in Texas, the USA as well as helping US companies wanting to expand internationally.

Pete holds the prestigious position of being our top global business development partner for Virtual – Q, a Tech company based in Sugarland, Texas. He is their top producer having negotiated their number one client agreement.

In his current role with Virtual-Q, Pete is responsible for acquiring new clients, a mission poised to augment the company’s value by hundreds of millions over the next five years.

Formerly, Pete spent 30 years at Continental Airlines and was VP Latin America for Continental where is he was the key force in driving revenues tenfold in the region, from $250M to $2.5B and well positioning the airline in Mexico by expanding its number of destinations to more than 30 cities and more than 100 daily flights between the US and Mexico He is credited with increasing the airlines operations to Central, South America and the Caribbean to more than 80 destinations.

He is known in the tourism and aviation industry as the “Father of the Latinization” for his culturally oriented marketing and customer service concept.

Pete is also an international professional speaker and his core discussions and training helps companies manage the differences in international cultures and how to turn it into increased revenues.

Pete Garcia

President, United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce-Houston-The Woodlands-Gulf Coast Chapter

Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
03:00 PM to 6:00 AM

In his current role with Virtual-Q, Pete is responsible for acquiring new clients, a mission poised to augment the company’s value by hundreds of millions over the next five years.

He is known in the tourism and aviation industry as the “Father of the Latinization” for his culturally oriented marketing and customer service concept.

Pete is also an international professional speaker and his core discussions and training helps companies manage the differences in international cultures and how to turn it into increased revenues.

Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia

City of San Antonio Councilmember and Liaison to the Port San Antonio Board of Directors

“The Future is Here” Reception
Thursday, 30 May
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

A lifelong resident of San Antonio, Adriana Rocha Garcia, Ph.D., was raised in and continues to call Southwest San Antonio home. Dr. Garcia is passionate about organizations that help the most underrepresented populations in San Antonio. Growing up in a Spanish-speaking household to parents with a first- and second-grade Mexican education, she became the first in her family to earn a college degree.

After graduating from Southwest High School, Dr. Garcia stayed in San Antonio to care for her parents. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of the Incarnate Word, she was offered a job in the university’s Office of Public Relations and completed her Master of Arts degree from the same university one year later. In 2004, she was in a cohort of 12 students accepted into the University of Texas at Austin’s Doctoral Advertising program. After ten years and many miles later, she became one of the first Hispanics to earn a Ph.D. in Advertising from UT’s prestigious Moody College of Communication.

Throughout her career, Dr. Garcia has held various administrative and consulting positions in communications and marketing at organizations like SAMMinistries Furniture for A Cause, the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the City of San Antonio, Southwest ISD, and Project QUEST. Dr. Garcia is molding tomorrow’s leaders as an Associate Marketing Professor at Our Lady of the Lake University, where she is tenured and teaches in the School of Business and Leadership. She is a past recipient of the 1895 Commencement Award for Faculty Excellence. During her first term in office, Dr. Garcia formed part of the first womenmajority elected City Council. Her current council committee assignments include Economic and Workforce Development, Governance, and Community Health. She recently began her second term as the Chair of the Planning and Community Development Committee.

As a National League of Cities member, Dr. Garcia is the Vice Chair of the Human Development Committee and Second Vice President of the Women in Municipal Government constituency group. She also forms part of the Hispanic Elected Local Officials and Large Cities Council. Since 2023, Dr. Garcia forms part of the Housing Supply Accelerator Steering Committee, a partnership between the National League of Cities and the American Planning Association, composed of local leaders and planners sharing their unique perspectives and experiences in housing policy, planning, or development.

In 2020, she received the Women of Excellence Award from the National Foundation of Women Legislators and in 2022, Dr. Garcia was inducted to the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame. She has served as a Texas Lyceum Director since 2022. In 2023, Dr. Garcia formed part of the Workforce Solutions Alamo’s Workforce Leadership Academy led by the Aspen Institute. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Dee Howard Foundation and Communities in School – San Antonio. In response to the devastating effects of the winter storms of February 2021, Mayor Ron Nirenberg appointed Dr. Garcia to serve on the Committee on Emergency Preparedness. Since 2020, Dr. Garcia serves as one of two council liaisons to the SA Ready to Work Advisory Board. She also serves on the Visit San Antonio Board of Directors and as a liaison to the Port San Antonio Board of Directors.

Dr. Garcia is the Chair of the Committee of Six and serves on the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) board. During her first council term, she served as the Chair of the Council Aide Compensation and now is the Chair of the City of San Antonio Council Aides Local Government Corporation Personnel Subcommittee.

She is currently serving an 18-month term as an honorary commander of the US Space Force and previously served as a JBSA Air Base Wing Honorary Commander in 2019 for a two-year term.

Since December 2021, Dr. Garcia has served as the President of the San Antonio Housing Trust (SAHT), SAHT Foundation, SAHT Public Facility Corporation, and the SAHT Finance Corporation. She forms part of the Bexar Appraisal District Board of Directors since 2022. Dr. Garcia also serves on the San Antonio Fire and Police Pension Fund Board of Trustees.

Prior to being elected to City Council, Dr. Garcia served as the Chair of the City of San Antonio’s Ethics Review Board for nearly three years, where she was responsible for leading a team of ten representatives appointed to represent their districts in the recently passed changes to the Ethics and Municipal Finance Code that further enhance the public’s trust in local government. She is a Past President of the San Antonio Chapter of the Texas Exes and has served as a Chapter Advisory Board Member for the Texas Exes organization in Austin.

Dr. Garcia has served as Chair of the Finance Council, is currently on the Pastoral Advisory Council at Divine Providence Catholic Church, has led the community’s participation in multiple Archbishop’s Appeal campaigns, and the Archbishop of San Antonio’s Capital Campaign, through which the Divine Providence community invested in a multi-purpose facility for elderly residents and the extended community. Dr. Garcia also serves as a member of the Archbishop’s Appeal Steering Committee, which annually distributes the city-wide Archdiocese’s Appeal campaign funds to Catholic organizations belonging to the Diocese.

As a Board member of Chef Johnny Hernandez’s Culinary Arts Foundation, Kitchen Campus, Dr. Garcia is ushering in a new ERA of culinary arts through Education, Resources, and Advocacy for students in need and helps oversee marketing efforts for the non-profit’s annual flagship fundraiser, the Paella Challenge. She has extensive experience as a community leader as Communications Chair for the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas San Antonio Chapter.

In 2018, Dr. Garcia was named to the San Antonio Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and accepted into Leadership San Antonio 300, where she was a member of the Best Day Ever, the Civic Engagement Day team. Dr. Garcia is a single mom to her son Steve, who graduated from Our Lady of the Lake University. She visits her octogenarian parents daily in the home where she grew up in Southwest San Antonio, even if it is simply to get a good night’s blessing from them before heading home.

Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia

City of San Antonio Councilmember and Liaison to the Port San Antonio Board of Directors

“The Future is Here” Reception
Thursday, 30 May
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

She is currently serving an 18-month term as an honorary commander of the US Space Force and previously served as a JBSA Air Base Wing Honorary Commander in 2019 for a two-year term.

Dr. Rafael Hoyle

Director, Liza and Jack Lewis Center of the Americas, University of the Incarnate World, Texas, USA

Water Across the Americas: Challenges and Solutions
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 AM

Rafael Hoyle joined the University in July 2019 and became the director of the Liza and Jack Lewis Center of the Americas in June 2021. Dr. Hoyle currently sits on the Board of Directors for UIW’s Mexico campuses and served previously as UIW’s Associate Vice-President for Planning and Campus Management. Prior to joining UIW, he was the managing director of International Studies Abroad, one of the largest providers of study abroad programs for U.S. students, known for its strong offering of programs in Latin America. Dr. Hoyle’s experience in higher education also includes six years as an instructor of Spanish at the University of Arizona and the University of Texas, and most recently he taught Multicultural Education at the University of Virginia. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Spanish from the University of Arizona, and a Ph.D. in Spanish from the University of Texas at Austin. He is a native Spanish speaker and feels a strong connection to the city of San Antonio, due in no small part to his northern Mexican heritage.

Dr. Rafael Hoyle

Director, Liza and Jack Lewis Center of the Americas, University of the Incarnate World, Texas, USA

Water Across the Americas: Challenges and Solutions
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 AM

Adriana Pulecio

International Business and Trade Development Manager, City of El Paso, Texas, USA

Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
03:00 PM to 6:00 AM

Adriana Pulecio is El Paso’s International Business and Trade Development Manager with a proven track record in leading multidisciplinary teams and funding for programs and projects that drive community transformations. Ms. Pulecio has an MBA from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) where she graduated with honors and was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma Honorary Business School Society. She also
holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and an Associates of Art in Government. Ms. Pulecio also works as a consultant in government research, economic development and economic impact studies and enjoys working with entrepreneurs and El Paso’s start-up community.

At the City of El Paso, Ms. Pulecio leads the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
and international affairs programs. She develops strategy, resources and brings key manufacturing partners to the El Paso region, including Eaton, Schneider Electric, and Grupo Bafar, which combined recently committed more than $200 million in expansions and more than 700 jobs as part of economic incentive deals with the City of El Paso.

Ms. Pulecio’s expertise extends to technical and economics publications, where she has authored comprehensive economic development strategies (CEDS) for border communities along the Texan border and Accomack, VA. Her proficiency in economic analysis is evident through workforce, logistics, industry gap analyses, industrial strategy development, housing studies, and program evaluations focusing on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in underserved communities. Prior to her current role, Ms. Pulecio served as the Head of Economic Development & Strategic Initiatives at STTE Foundation, where she spearheaded funding acquisition training
programs for tech startups and helped secure substantial grants from organizations such as Hispanics in Philanthropy and Microsoft.

Driven by a commitment to continuous learning and professional development, Adriana has undertaken various courses and programs, including executive education at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and the International Economic Development Council. As a Colombian national, Ms. Pulecio is in tune with the Latino community and immigrant experience that is an integral part of El Paso’s regional identity. Supporting the Latino community and creating a more equitable future is one of her highest aspirations, particularly for the El Paso community that has become her home and a part of who she will always be.

Adriana Pulecio

International Business and Trade Development Manager, City of El Paso, Texas, USA

Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
03:00 PM to 6:00 AM

Pam Foley

City Councilmember, City of San Jose and Boardmember of Sister Cities International

Opening Ceremony: Parade of Flags and Honor Guard
Thursday, 30 May
08:30 AM to 8:30 AM

Pam Foley

City Councilmember, City of San Jose and Boardmember of Sister Cities International

Opening Ceremony: Parade of Flags and Honor Guard
Thursday, 30 May
08:30 AM to 8:30 AM

Major General Dustin Shultz

Director of Intelligence, U.S. Army Element Southern Command, Florida, USA

Humanitarian Cooperation and Security in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 AM

Major General Dustin Anne Shultz, “Dusty,” currently serves as the Director of Intelligence at U.S. Southern Command. Previously, she served as the Director of Strategic Operations and Deputy Chief of Staff in the Army G-3/5/7 at the Office of the Chief of the Army Reserve. Prior to that she served as the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7 at the U.S. Army Reserve Command and the Commander of the 1st Mission Support Command at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, where she led the Army Reserve response to Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Irma. The 1st Mission Support Command received the Superior Unit Award during her tenure.

Major General Shultz received her commission in the Military Intelligence Corps from New Mexico Military Institute in 1989. Her first assignment was as a Spanish Counter Intelligence Officer at the 142nd Military Intelligence Battalion in Provo, Utah. Since that time, she has served as the Commander of the 505th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater), the G3 of the Military Intelligence Readiness Command, and the Commander of the 373rd Military Intelligence Battalion as it deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn. During her tenure as Commander of the 373rd , the Battalion was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Reserve Officers Association Large Unit of the Year Award. Major General Shultz has also served as a Joint Planner at U.S. Southern Command J9, where she supported Operation Unified Response—Haiti, and as an Intelligence Analyst on Joint Task Force – North where she supported counter drug operations. She has extensive experience providing defense support to civil authorities, responding to natural disasters, and operating in Latin America.

Major General Shultz is a graduate of the National War College, in Washington, D.C., the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (in Spanish), the Defense Strategy Course, and the Canadian Joint Command and Staff Programme. In March 2019, she graduated from the General and Flag Officer Course, CAPSTONE, at the National Defense University. Her awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (with three Oak Leaf Clusters), the Joint Service Commendation Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Joint Service Achievement Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Achievement Medal, and the Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award.

Major General Shultz holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science with a minor in Spanish from Texas Tech University, a Master of Science in Strategic Intelligence from American Military University, and a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the National War College. She is a certified bilingual teacher. Major General Shultz and her husband, David, will be married 33 years in November 2023 and have two grown children.

Major General Dustin Shultz

Director of Intelligence, U.S. Army Element Southern Command, Florida, USA

Humanitarian Cooperation and Security in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 AM

Phyllis Viagran

Councilmember, City of San Antonio

Supply Chains and Transportation in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Phyllis Viagran was elected to serve as District 3 Councilwoman on June 15, 2021. Her deep-rooted connection to the southside and affection for San Antonio, Texas, are evident in her longstanding ties to District 3 as a proud native of the southside and her rich family heritage, most notably that of Toribio Losoya, an iconic Alamo Defender.

Councilwoman Viagran attended Providence High School and went on to earn her B.A. in Political Science and History from Texas Tech University. Later, she earned her master’s degree in Bicultural Studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Phyllis Viagran’s journey in public service began with a passion for education and a commitment to making a positive impact in her community. Before her venture into politics as a City Councilmember, she devoted herself to shaping young minds as an elementary teacher, leaving a lasting impression on the lives of her students.

After several years in the field of education, Phyllis transitioned her career to the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), where she took on the role of a Community Service Specialist. During her time at SAPD, she found her calling as a Domestic Violence Advocate, tirelessly working to support and protect survivors of domestic violence. Her dedication to this critical cause demonstrated her unwavering commitment to the well-being of San Antonio’s residents.

Phyllis later found herself contributing to the thriving tourism industry of San Antonio. Joining Visit San Antonio, she served as the Destination Services Coordinator and Membership Sales Coordinator. Her efforts in promoting the city as a desirable destination were highly valued until the unexpected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Like many others, Phyllis faced professional challenges due to the downturn in tourism. However, she remained resilient and determined to find new ways to serve her community.

In June 2020, Phyllis embarked on a new chapter of her career by joining Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) as a Community Outreach Coordinator and Trainer. During this time, the reality of the digital divide throughout the southside became even more apparent which led to her becoming a champion for bridging the digital and equity gap for San Antonio.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Phyllis has generously volunteered her time and expertise to various organizations, demonstrating her commitment to giving back to the community. She has served an active member of the Brooks Gives Back Board, The Rape Crisis Center Board showcasing her dedication to supporting survivors and promoting awareness about crucial issues.

Throughout her journey, Phyllis Viagran’s commitment to public service, community advocacy, and empowering others has been unwavering. Her diverse experiences and deep understanding of the challenges faced by various sections of the community and a vision for a more inclusive, tech-savvy, sustainable city have uniquely prepared her to take on the responsibilities of City Council and drive positive change in San Antonio.

Currently as Councilwoman, Phyllis serves as the Chair for the Audit Committee, and serves as a valued member of several essential committees such as Economic and Workforce Development Committee, the Planning and Community Development Committee, Community Health Committee. Phyllis Viagran’s influence extends beyond the city’s borders as she serves on various boards and committees with regional and national significance: San Antonio Housing Trust (SAHT), SAHT Public Facility Corporation,

Board of Directors for Visit San Antonio, CPS Rate Advisory Committee, appointed to serve in the National League of City 2023 Transportation and Infrastructure Service Committee, and is the 2023 – 2024 President-Elect for the Texas Business Women San Antonio (TBWSA).

Phyllis Viagran’s tireless efforts as a Councilwoman and her multifaceted engagement with various organizations exemplify her dedication to serving the people of San Antonio and District 3 and her vision for a vibrant, inclusive, and prosperous city.

Phyllis Viagran

Councilmember, City of San Antonio

Supply Chains and Transportation in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Juan Ayala

Major General (USMC Retired), Director, Military and Veteran Affairs Department, Honorary Member, Metropolitan Health District, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA

Humanitarian Cooperation and Security in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 PM

A native of El Paso, Texas, Mr. Ayala retired as a Major General in the United States Marine Corps after 36 years of service. He is currently the Director, Military and Veteran Affairs Department for the City of San Antonio. In this capacity, he serves as the city’s liaison to the military supporting the Mayor, City Council and city departments. He works closely with military and civilian partners to ensure military missions and installations continue to thrive and grow in the region. From March to August 2020, he was assigned to the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce where he concurrently served as the Chamber’s Interim President and CEO. Successfully completing the Chamber assignment, he was temporarily assigned from August 2020 to September 2021 as the City of San Antonio’s Operations Lead for the COVID – 19 Response Team.

Prior to his retirement, Major General Ayala commanded all 24 Marine Corps installations worldwide and was selected to lead the Department of Defense’s 2015 Warrior Games assisting the nation’s wounded, ill and injured warriors in their recuperative efforts. He is the former Inspector General of the Marine Corps and his service includes 4 combat tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, to include a year as the Senior Advisor of a Military Transition Team embedded with the 1st Iraqi Army Division.

Past military assignments include:  Coordinated humanitarian assistance programs in 50 countries throughout Africa, Eastern Europe, and former Soviet Bloc countries, served as the Chief of Staff at United States Southern Command leading a staff in the implementation of U.S. national security objectives in 31 countries throughout the Western Hemisphere, to include coordinating detainee operations in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, supported humanitarian relief operations after the Haiti Earthquake of 2010, supported Haitian/Cuban refugee operations in Cuba, and coordinated civilian law enforcement counterdrug efforts along the U.S. Southwest Border.

Mr. Ayala received an MBA from Campbell University, an MA in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College and a BA in Business Administration from the University of Texas at El Paso.

His military awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit w/ “V” Combat Distinguishing Device, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (4 stars), the Combat Action Ribbon and other distinguished awards.

He is the recipient of the 2007 Excellence in Military Service Award from the League of Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the 2022 Heroes of Military Medicine Award from the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, and the 2023 LATINA Style Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award.

He currently serves on the Governor of Texas’ Advisory Council on Cultural Affairs and is a board member of Visit San Antonio, and the National Veterans Outreach Program (GI Forum). He is the President of the Texas Mayors of Military Communities representing the 14 communities that host military installations in the state of Texas. Since 2016 he has taught Leadership and Ethics as a Visiting Instructor at the Walter Reed National Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

An avid cyclist and hiker he completed the 500-mile El Camino de Santiago walk in France/Spain in October of 2022. He is married to the former Diane K. Reyes of El Paso, Texas. They have three daughters, a son, and five grandchildren.

Valerie Narvaez

Director of Homeless Services

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Juan Ayala

Major General (USMC Retired), Director, Military and Veteran Affairs Department, Honorary Member, Metropolitan Health District, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA

Humanitarian Cooperation and Security in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 PM

Juan Ayala

Major General (USMC Retired), Director, Military and Veteran Affairs Department, Honorary Member, Metropolitan Health District, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA

Humanitarian Cooperation and Security in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 PM

Professor Jean Bailey

Professor at Howard University

African Diaspora in the Americas Symposium
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Professor Jean Bailey is a Graduate Professor of Human Development at Howard University. Additionally, she directs the Center for Drug Abuse Research, chairs the Howard University Republic of South Africa Project (HURSAP) and co-chairs the USA African National Congress (ANC) Centenary Committee (appointed by the National Chairperson of the ANC). As chair of the USA ANC Centenary Committee, she coordinated the US activities in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the ANC from 2011 – present (including Legacy Projects). From 2012 – 2016, Professor Bailey was the
Founder, Co-investigator and Cultural and Educational Outreach Director for the Mandela Washington Fellows (Young African Leaders Initiative -YALI) program at Howard University. Since 2019, Professor Bailey has directed the America’s Voices Against Apartheid Project (AVAA), a major archival research project and exhibition to be exhibited at the Apartheid Museum in South Africa (Opening 18 May 2023) and the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in September 2023. She is also the Principal
Investigator and Project Director for “Exploring Cultural Linkages Between Black Marylanders and Civil Rights Movements Abroad.”

As a member of the Board of Directors of the Sister States of Maryland, Inc. and Chair of the Maryland/KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Sister State Committee, Professor Bailey directs the Strategic Planning/Fund Development Committee. In that capacity, she has been responsible for development of the strategic plan for the organization and securing funding of over $2m for implementation of specific Sister State programs. Additionally, she has established MOUs between Maryland Departments of Higher Education, Basic Education, Social Development and Science and Technology and their counterpart departments in South Africa. In 2022, Professor Bailey chaired a Maryland high level delegation to South Africa which included receptions hosted by the U.S. Embassy as well as the three (3) consulates, meetings with Sister State governmental partners and businesses, and visits to cultural and other programs in Durban, Johannesburg, and Cape Town. In February 2023, Professor Bailey headed the Sister States of Maryland delegation to the Sister Cities International Africa Regional conference in Johannesburg
and Cape Town, South Africa.

In addition to her current position at Howard University, she has served in various capacities throughout her distinguished career, including as Undergraduate Faculty Trustee for the Howard University Board of Trustees and Professor and Chair of the Department of Human Development. Currently, she is also Secretary/Treasurer and Project Director of the National African American Drug Policy Coalition (NAADPC), a national coalition of the 25 premier African American Professional Organizations housed at the Center for Drug Abuse Research (CDAR).

As Director of CDAR, she has been responsible for many community prevention projects including the Wards 1 & 2 SAMHSA PFS Program High Needs Community Substance Abuse Prevention Grant (District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health), DC Opioid Prevention Grant (DC Department of Behavioral Health), and Wards 1 & 2 Drug Free Community Coalition – CSAP/SAMHSA (2008 – Present).

Since the establishment of HURSAP in 1996, Professor Bailey has been involved in numerous projects in South Africa, Gabon, and Nigeria, as well as other countries throughout the Diaspora, including “Substance Abuse, Crime, Violence and HIV/AIDS as Consequences of Poverty: Strategies for Prevention and Treatment in the United States and South Africa” a major international conference funded by NIDA, USAID and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in 2000. Convened at the beginning of South Africa’s
democratic government, this conference led to the establishment of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA’S) Southern Africa Drug Abuse Initiative.

Professor Jean Bailey

Professor at Howard University

African Diaspora in the Americas Symposium
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Kent Britton

Chief Executive Officer for the Port of Corpus Christi

Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Kent Britton is the Chief Executive Officer for the Port of Corpus Christi, where he oversees $200 million in revenue and more than 300 employees. In his role as CEO, Kent leads the largest United States port in total revenue tonnage and the largest gateway for U.S. produced energy exports.

An adept relationship manager, Kent credits the success of the Port of Corpus Christi to its community of customers and world-class staff.

Prior to joining the Port of Corpus Christi in 2017, Kent worked as Chief Financial Officer for the Glencore-owned Sherwin Alumina Company. His career spans more than 30 years of progressive experience in the accounting and finance fields, including leadership and executive roles at Alcoa, the world’s leading integrated aluminum company, and Blackbaud, Inc., the premiere software provider to non-profit organizations.

A seasoned finance executive, Kent was named Chief Financial Officer for the Port of Corpus Christi in 2019. In 2023, the Port of Corpus Christi Commission voted to promote Kent to Chief Executive Officer.

Kent is an advocate for his communities and is a staunch believer in service to others. In addition to volunteering with a variety of area organizations, Kent has served as Treasurer of the London Independent School District Athletic Booster Club and separately as Treasurer and President of Padre Little League. Currently, Kent serves as a Board Member for the local United Way and is the Chairman of the American Association of Ports Audit Committee.

Kent holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial management from Georgia Tech and is a licensed CPA. He has been happily married to Angie Britton for nearly 24 years, and they have two college-age sons, Zach and Tanner.

Kent Britton

Chief Executive Officer for the Port of Corpus Christi

Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

An adept relationship manager, Kent credits the success of the Port of Corpus Christi to its community of customers and world-class staff.

Salvador Lopez

Chief Environmental OfficerNorth American Development Bank

Resilience and Sustainability in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Mr. Lopez was appointed by NADBank’s Board of Directors as the first Chief Environmental Officer of the bank in 2017. Salvador is responsible for overseeing the environmental integrity of the bank’s operations, including evaluating and endorsing the projects being considered for approval and financing. During his time at the Bank, he has overseen the development of a Green Finance initiative that has led to the development of a Sustainable Finance Framework aligned to international standards, which has been used to issue debt in international markets in the amount of $668 million.

In addition, Salvador has led or co-led a number of new initiatives such as the creation of a Green Loan Program to provide financing through financial intermediaries, an ESG risk management system, and the expansion of the types of projects that are eligible for NADBank financing. He has endorsed 69 projects with a total investment of $3.1 billion for approval by the Board of Directors.

Mr. Lopez has broad professional experience in diverse sustainability matters, including water resources and climate change.

Prior to joining NADBank, Salvador was Country Representative for Mexico and Peru of the Global Green Growth Institute, an international organization tasked with supporting member countries in their transition toward a greener economy. He also has nearly 20 years of experience in consulting working for renown international companies.

Mr. Lopez holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Stanford University, and an MBA from the University of California, San Diego.

Salvador Lopez

Chief Environmental OfficerNorth American Development Bank

Resilience and Sustainability in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Mr. Lopez has broad professional experience in diverse sustainability matters, including water resources and climate change.

Carlos Bañuelos Barrios

Director of Creative Industries, Guadalajara, Mexico

Creative Cities Collaborating Across the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 AM to 12:00 PM

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs and a Master’s degree in Government and Public Administration from the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain. With a focus on Economic Development, International Cooperation, and Creative Industries, he’s held key roles in public administration, such as serving as the International Relations Director of Zapopan and Coordinator of “Creative Confluence”, an initiative to boost the creative ecosystem of the same municipality.

At Guadalajara Government, he established the first public local Office in Mexico, to enhance the creative industries in the city in order to consolidate Guadalajara as the main hub in Latin America. Currently leading the Economic Development Coordination for the Guadalajara Government, he also serves on prominent committees such as Expo Guadalajara’s Executive Council and the Organizing Committee of the FIFA 2026 World Cup in Guadalajara.

Recognized for his expertise, he’s been awarded scholarships by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the British Council, to represent Mexico and amplify cultural leadership skills. He has showcased his insights as a speaker at various international events like book fairs and film festivals, both domestically and abroad.

Carlos Bañuelos Barrios

Director of Creative Industries, Guadalajara, Mexico

Creative Cities Collaborating Across the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 AM to 12:00 PM

Miriam Kotkowski

President of Tecma Transportation Services (TTS)

Supply Chains and Transportation in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Miriam Baca Kotkowski has carved a notable path in the realm of cross-border trade and logistics, particularly between Mexico and the United States. As the President of Tecma Transportation Services (TTS), she oversees an asset-based logistics transportation group catering to industries like manufacturing, construction, wind blade, and industrial equipment freight. TTS is an integral part of TECMA, a renowned Shelter for Manufacturers throughout Mexico.

Miriam’s journey is marked by significant milestones and accolades. Notably, she received the prestigious “Mexicana Distinguida” award from the Mexico Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2020. An honor that recognizes individuals with outstanding careers, particularly in resolving international issues and empowering others.

In 2016, Miriam’s contributions to exporting cargo to Mexico were acknowledged with the “New Mexico Exporter of the Year” award by the Small Business Administration. A recognition that underscores her role in facilitating cross-border trade and strengthening economic ties between the US and Mexico.

Additionally, Miriam was honored as the recipient of the “Border Trade Champion Award” in 2012 by the US Department of Commerce International Trade Administration, highlighting her advocacy for border trade issues and her dedication to advancing cross-border commerce.

Miriam’s background, rooted in her bilingual and bicultural upbringing, coupled with her educational achievements—a BBA in Finance and an executive MBA from the University of Texas at El Paso—and lifetime of experience in the cross-border trade industry, have equipped her with the expertise and insight to be invited to serve as a Lecturer Professor at The University of Texas in El Paso Business School. This role has led to educating up-and-coming professionals in the complexities of international trade and its supply chain and logistics nuances.

Throughout her career, Miriam has also been actively involved in various committees and organizations, demonstrating her passion for trade, border issues, and supply chain management. Her leadership and commitment continue to leave a lasting impact on the industry, further solidifying her reputation as a trailblazer in cross-border commerce.

Miriam Kotkowski

President of Tecma Transportation Services (TTS)

Supply Chains and Transportation in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Jenny Carnes

President & CEO at San Antonio Sports

Moderator, Sports Diplomacy Across the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

A native of Uvalde, Texas, college basketball lured Carnes to San Antonio in 1995 with a scholarship to the University of the Incarnate Word where she was an All-American for UIW’s nationally ranked basketball team and a member of the tennis team as well. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, specializing in Sports Management. In addition to being named the business school’s “Top Business Management Student” and UIW’s “Student-Athlete of the Year” in 1999, Carnes was inducted into the University’s Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the 2005 Inaugural Class.

Carnes remains rooted to the sports community through her work with San Antonio Sports, as a regular speaker for local university sports management classes and as a student mentor for sports management students. She began working at San Antonio Sports in September of 1999 as an intern.

Most of her free time is spent chasing after daughters, Evie and Kate and
supporting her partner Elizabeth, who is a Hematology/Oncology physician. In addition to her career in the San Antonio sports community, Jenny has also served as a FIBA Technical Delegate and Commissioner for the International Federation of Basketball throughout the qualification windows for the 2019 World Championship and the 2020 Olympics.

Jenny Carnes

President & CEO at San Antonio Sports

Moderator, Sports Diplomacy Across the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

Fernando Barrera

Associate Director of OriginationNorth American Development Bank

Water Across the Americas: Challenges and Solutions
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

Mr. Barrera has more than 26 years of professional experience. He has worked in Mexico as cost, economic engineering and contracting specialist under the Department of Corporate Engineering and Project Development at Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX), as Project manager under the Border Affairs Coordination at the Mexican Water Commission (Conagua), and as an engineering consultant at EFE Asesores, S.A. de C.V.

Since 2010 he has worked at the North American Development Bank, in San Antonio, Texas, where he has held different positions, being since May 2022, Associate Director of Origination for Public Projects and Mobility. In this capacity, his duties include project origination and development; the coordination of the necessary procedures with clients, suppliers, investors and government authorities, to advance internally and conform the portfolio of public and public-private projects and operations, both in Mexico and the United States, in which NADBank participates as a financial creditor.

Mr. Barrera holds a degree in Civil Engineering from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and has a Master of Sciences in Project Planning and Management from the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom, where he received a scholarship from the Chevening Program with the British Government_._ He also has a diploma in Administration from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM).

Fernando Barrera

Associate Director of OriginationNorth American Development Bank

Water Across the Americas: Challenges and Solutions
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

Peter Ives

Sister City Liaison and UNESCO Volunteer, New Mexico, USA

Creative Cities Collaborating Across the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 AM to 12:00 PM

Born in 1954, Peter was educated at Harvard College (A.B. cum laude Philosophy, 1976) and Georgetown University Law Center (J.D. 1983). While in Washington, D.C., Peter worked for the Community Nutrition Institute, Van Ness Feldman Sutcliffe & Levenberg, and Senator Jeff Bingaman. Moving to Santa Fe in 1983, Peter worked for Campbell & Black, P.A., later forming a new firm with several other attorneys. In Santa Fe, Peter met and married Patricia Salazar Ives. They have three children, who all live in New Mexico. In 1987, Peter joined The Trust for Public Land as the organization’s attorney in its Southwest Regional Office, where he worked on hundreds of land conservation transactions, creating parks, open space, trails, national refuges, and protecting agricultural lands, as well as various large remediation projects, including several BRAC projects. In 2019, Peter became General Counsel to the NM Department of Cultural Affairs, working for the State museums, historic sites, Historic Preservation Division, State Library and New Mexico Arts, until his retirement in December 2022.

In retirement, Peter remains active in his community. Peter volunteers on several city commissions/boards and for several city programs (Buckman Direct Diversion Board, Sister Cities Committee, UNESCO Creative Cities Program, and the Santa Fe Food Policy Council). He also serves on Boards of Directors of the Institute of American Indian Arts Foundation, Global Santa Fe (formerly the Santa Fe Council on International Relations), Solace Sexual Assault Services, Jamii Running Club, Friends of the Old Pecos Trail Scenic Corridor, and the New Mexico Foundation. He is a member of the Santa Fe Rotary Club, the Old Santa Fe Association, and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assis Choir. Significantly, he is working with a group addressing attainable workforce housing issues in Santa Fe, to ensure that the people who work in Santa Fe, can live in Santa Fe and raise their families here. He also consults in the areas of land conservation, cultural patrimony preservation and museum issues, and is working as a portrait and landscape photographer.

Peter Ives

Sister City Liaison and UNESCO Volunteer, New Mexico, USA

Creative Cities Collaborating Across the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 AM to 12:00 PM

Dr. Robert Mace

Executive Director of Financial Services, Corporate and Public Sectors, North American Development Bank

Water Across the Americas: Challenges and Solutions
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

Robert Mace is the Executive Director and Chief Water Policy Officer of The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment and a Professor of Practice in the Department of Geography at Texas State University. Robert has over 30 years of experience in hydrology, hydrogeology, stakeholder processes, and water policy, mostly in Texas. Robert has a B.S. in Geophysics and an M.S. in Hydrology from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology and a Ph.D. in Hydrogeology from The University of Texas at Austin.

Dr. Robert Mace

Executive Director of Financial Services, Corporate and Public Sectors, North American Development Bank

Water Across the Americas: Challenges and Solutions
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

Tad Parzen

President and CEO of the Burnham Center for Community Advancement

Sister Cities Spotlight
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Tad Seth Parzen is the President and CEO of the Burnham Center for Community Advancement, which he co-founded alongside longtime civic leader Malin Burnham in 2021. The Burnham Center seeks to create a thriving future for the San Diego region through building collaborative efforts to solve problems and maximize our opportunities. Tad is well known for his long-standing commitment to community and civic causes, and expertise in collaborative community development. With extensive executive experience in the legal, education, philanthropy, government, and nonprofit sectors, he brings a unique and multi-faceted perspective to his work. Recognizing his exceptional leadership and contributions to the Burnham Center and the community, Tad was named a 2023 Nonprofit CEO of the Year by the San Diego Business Journal and the 2023 Champion for Community & Education at IQ Podcasts’ Annual San Diego Academia Awards.

Tad Parzen

President and CEO of the Burnham Center for Community Advancement

Sister Cities Spotlight
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Susy Osorio-Kinsky and Steve Kinsky

Lions Club of Denver, USA

Humanitarian Cooperation and Security in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 PM

Susy Osorio-Kinsky’s journey through life has been marked by a commitment to fostering cultural understanding and providing essential services to communities in need. Her passion for humanitarian work and intercultural exchange traces back to her early experiences as an exchange student and a member of the Quito Lions Club in her native Ecuador.

After immigrating to Denver, Colorado in 2000, Susy’s penchant for service took root. She found herself at the Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning, where her bilingualism proved invaluable. Immersed in the Supporting Immigrant and Refugee Families Initiative (SIRFI), Susy embraced her role, leveraging her skills to support those most vulnerable in her community.

Susy’s humanitarian spirit further flourished through her involvement with organizations like Volunteers Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH), where she developed her skills in providing essential eye care services to underserved populations. Her marriage to fellow Lion Steve Kinsky catalyzed a shared commitment to global vision health initiatives.

Together, Susy and Steve embarked on numerous international eyesight screening campaigns, spanning continents from Ecuador to Nepal, Senegal to Mongolia, and beyond. Their efforts have improved the lives of countless individuals, bringing clarity and hope to those in need.

In recognition of her dedication and service, the General Consul of Ecuador in Phoenix appointed her as its temporary Honorary Consul in Denver during the pandemic. And her work with Denver Sister Cities International (DSCI) has facilitated meaningful exchanges between diverse populations in Denver and two of its Sister Cities, Cuernavaca (Mexico) and Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia).

As the Chair of the Cuernavaca Committee of Denver Sister Cities International, Susy intends to strengthen the bond between Denver and Cuernavaca. Last year, she and Steve and the Denver Lions Club conducted an eyesight screening campaign there; this year, Susy is organizing a student exchange program, and she and Steve plan another eyesight screening.

Through their unwavering dedication to humanitarian causes, Susy & Steve personify the motto of Lions Clubs International: We Serve.

Susy Osorio-Kinsky and Steve Kinsky

Lions Club of Denver, USA

Humanitarian Cooperation and Security in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 PM

Through their unwavering dedication to humanitarian causes, Susy & Steve personify the motto of Lions Clubs International: We Serve.

Colonel Bryan B. Tuinman

Commandant, Inter-American Air Forces Academy (IAAFA)

Humanitarian Cooperation and Security in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 PM

Colonel Bryan B. Tuinman is the Commandant, Inter-American Air Forces Academy (IAAFA), Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. He is responsible for providing military education and training, in Spanish, for more than 900 students annually to eligible military forces and governmental partners of 21 Latin American and Caribbean countries. IAAFA consists of 115 personnel in the 318 TRS, 837 TRS, and International Student Support section.

Colonel Tuinman is a 2002 graduate of the U.S. Air Force’s Officer Training School. He has served in various roles as an instructor pilot, evaluator pilot and combat aviation advisor. He has deployed in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and OBSERVANT COMPASS. Prior to his current assignment, Colonel Tuinman was the Director, Resourcing (SOJ8), Special Operations Command – Pacific (SOCPAC), Camp Smith, Hawaii.

Colonel Tuinman is a command pilot with more than 2,700 flying hours, including 220 combat hours.

Colonel Bryan B. Tuinman

Commandant, Inter-American Air Forces Academy (IAAFA)

Humanitarian Cooperation and Security in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 PM

Colonel Tuinman is a command pilot with more than 2,700 flying hours, including 220 combat hours.

Judge Peter Sakai

Bexar County Judge

Opening Ceremony
Thursday, 30 May
8:30 AM to 9:30 AM

It is our honor to welcome you to the first regional Sister Cities International All Americas Summit. This event is special to Bexar County, as San Antonio’s Involvement with Sister Cities International has been a labor of love and benefit to our community.

Bexar County is the most opportune place for these relationships because of who we are. Our community comes from all cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds. We all share a dedicated vision to make our world a better place to live for ourselves and future generations.

We always welcome new opportunities and relationships to enhance economic development. Our downtown is bright, vibrant, and diverse, offering a number of excellent cuisines, experiences, and opportunities to learn about our rich history. We are home to the historic Alamo, the beautiful Riverwalk, and the artistically prodigious Blue Star district. We host the San Antonio Missions, a UNESCO World Heritage site and enjoy lively and colorful Fiestas and parties throughout the year.

Bexar County is the place we are proud to call home. We value family, cultural diversity, and community. We hope that you will enjoy our company and friendship, and take your memories back home to share. let us all come together and make a better world of understanding and compassion. Let us never forget how important that is for all of us.

Judge Peter Sakai

Bexar County Judge

Opening Ceremony
Thursday, 30 May
8:30 AM to 9:30 AM

Kevin Barthold

City Auditor, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Kevin is the City Auditor for the City of San Antonio. In this role, he leads a team responsible for conducting performance, compliance and information technology audits of City departments, offices, agencies, and programs. He has over 34 years of internal audit experience across multiple industries and has been in his current role over 13 years.

Kevin Barthold

City Auditor, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Richard Hernàndez

Administrator, Municipal Integrity Office, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Richard’s unwavering dedication to public service led him to join the City of San Antonio in 2002, following his retirement from California’s Department of Justice.

Richard’s tenure in the OMI, which commenced in 2004, has been marked by transformative leadership. His strategic initiatives have significantly curbed fraud, waste, and abuse within a workforce of approximately 10,000 city employees. Despite a decrease in staff, their responsibilities have expanded to include allegations of workplace violence and complaints of equal employment opportunity discrimination. Through a combination of new policies and proactive training, investigations involving fraud, waste, and abuse have plummeted by over 70%.

Richard’s dedication to promoting compliance and high ethical standards is further exemplified by his current role as the president of the Greater San Antonio Ethics and Compliance Roundtable (GSAECR). The GSAECR, under his leadership, strives to foster collaboration and professional development among groups from business, non-profit, governmental, academic, and other sectors.

Richard Hernàndez

Administrator, Municipal Integrity Office, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Richard’s unwavering dedication to public service led him to join the City of San Antonio in 2002, following his retirement from California’s Department of Justice.

Dr. Maria Giner

U.S. Commissioner of the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico

Water Across the Americas: Challenges and Solutions
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

President Joe Biden in August 2021 appointed Maria-Elena Giner to serve as the United States Commissioner of the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico. Dr. Giner is the second woman and first Latina to hold the post. She previously served as General Manager of the Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC), an institution that developed environmental infrastructure along the U.S. Mexico border in association with the North American Development Bank. During her tenure at the BECC, she focused on policies that addressed U.S.-Mexico cooperation on water, energy, and climate change. With the support of the BECC staff, she led the development and financing of $9 billion in environmental infrastructure, benefitting about 100 communities and over 10 million residents.

Dr. Giner is well regarded among state agencies and local communities in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and the six Mexican border states. In addition, she has published extensively on water policy and transboundary bilateral cooperation.

Dr. Giner’s education includes a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Loyola Marymount University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at El Paso, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the University of Texas at Austin. She is also a registered professional engineer, first-generation college graduate, and daughter of an immigrant. Dr. Giner is from the border region and attended Loretto Academy High School in El Paso, Texas. She is bicultural and bilingual.

The International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, is responsible for applying the boundary and water treaties between the two countries and settling differences that arise in their application. The Commission operates and maintains flood control levees, international storage reservoirs, diversion dams, wastewater treatment plants, and boundary monuments at various locations on the U.S.-Mexico border. In addition to its Headquarters in El Paso, Texas, the U.S. Section has offices at San Diego, California; Nogales and Yuma, Arizona; Las Cruces, New Mexico; El Paso/American Dam, Ft. Hanco*ck, Presidio, Del Rio/Amistad Dam, Laredo, Falcon Heights/Falcon Dam, and Mercedes in Texas; and Washington, DC.

Dr. Maria Giner

U.S. Commissioner of the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico

Water Across the Americas: Challenges and Solutions
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

Daniel Richetti

Deputy Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy, U.S. Department of State

Opening Ceremony
Thursday, 30 May
8:30 AM to 9:30 AM

Diplomacy Across the Americas Strengthening Hemispheric Bonds
Thursday, 30 May
12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

Daniel Ricchetti serves as the Deputy Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy. In this role, he works with mayors, governors, and other municipal officials to strengthen local government engagement on the international stage and help bring the benefits of foreign policy to the local level. Previously, Mr. Ricchetti served as the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs in the Bureau of Legislative Affairs and as a Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security.

Prior to joining the Department, Mr. Ricchetti served on the staff of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee for seven years. Mr. Ricchetti holds an M.A. in Security Studies from Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service and B.A. in History and Government from the College of William and Mary. He is from Arlington, Virginia.

Daniel Ricchetti

Deputy Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy, U.S. Department of State

Opening Ceremony
Thursday, 30 May
8:30 AM to 9:30 AM

Diplomacy Across the Americas Strengthening Hemispheric Bonds
Thursday, 30 May
12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

Dan Geddes

San Antonio Region President at Frost Bank

High Level Mayoral Dialogue: “Urban Horizons: Mayors' Perspectives on Local Priorities and Global Challenges”
Thursday, 30 May
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

Dan Geddes is the region president in Frost Bank’s San Antonio region. In that position, he oversees all aspects of banking operations in the region. Dan was appointed to the region president position in 2021 after leading the Commercial Real Estate Group in Frost’s Houston region for seven years as sales manager. While in Houston, Dan was chosen to draw on his commercial real estate experience to lead Frost’s expansion effort, which resulted in the opening of 25 new financial centers – nearly doubling Frost’s size in the market – in a little over two years. In his role leading the project, Dan oversaw all aspects of the expansion, including site selection, timing of new financial center openings, and staffing. The expansion project was even more successful than expected, with the new sites far surpassing initial goals for deposits, loans and new households. In addition to the expansion, Dan was instrumental in helping businesses secure loans through the 2020-21 Paycheck Protection Program

Dan has been with Frost Bank since January 1997, starting as a credit analyst in the Credit Department before working in the Commercial Real Estate Lending Group in San Antonio. He moved to Houston in December 1999 as a commercial lender focused primarily on commercial real estate lending, and later became a production credit officer.

Dan is active in the community serving as Chair of the Finance Committee of The Remember the Alamo Foundation, an advisory board member of UT Health San Antonio Center for Medical Humanities & Ethics and was a member of Leadership San Antonio’s 46th class in 2022.

His ties to San Antonio go back to the fall of 1992 when he enrolled at Trinity University graduating in 1996, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration with concentrations in accounting and finance.

Dan Geddes

San Antonio Region President at Frost Bank

High Level Mayoral Dialogue: “Urban Horizons: Mayors' Perspectives on Local Priorities and Global Challenges”
Thursday, 30 May
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

Angelique McKay

Head of the Department, The Orange Economy Unit of the Bahamas

African Diaspora in the Americas Symposium
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Angelique Fredricka McKay is a Bahamian cultural warrior from Cat Island in The Bahamas. McKay holds a master’s degree in Cultural Project Development and is an internationally Certified Festival and Events Executive and the recipient of the prestigious Cacique Award.  She is the C.E.O. Founder and Project Manager of The Cacique Award Winning Junkanoo Commandos and C.E.O, Founder and Artistic Director of The Bahamas Junkanoo Art and Music Festival. Angelique McKay has traveled the world extensively in her capacity as a project manager executing successful projects in places like Africa, The United Kingdom, Europe, The United States of America, throughout the Caribbean and The Bahamas. Ms. McKay was bestowed the honor of QUEEN MOTHER ASAFOKYEREBA of Pokesu and The Ahanta People of Western Ghana and has been executing cultural projects in that region of Ghana from the date of her coronation to date. Angelique McKay’s passion for The Culture of The Bahamas has caused her to be one of the forerunners in the exportation of various aspects of Bahamian Culture around the World, bringing awareness to Bahamian Culture, her most notable work has been with JUNKANOO, and bringing global awareness to The number one cultural expression of The people of The Bahamas She is known as THE JUNKANOO GODDESS because of her extensive work with the creative arts of Junkanoo on both the national and international stage  for over two decades . Ms. McKay currently is the Head of The Department that holds The Orange Economy Unit of The Bahamas and is a constant feature in the cultural community of The Bahamas. There are several phrases that have been coined by Ms. McKay that clearly defines her passion and purpose in life “The CULTURE of The Bahamas is WHY It’s Better in The Bahamas “, “I AM JUNKANOO ““WE ARE JUNKANOO “ ”JUNKANOO IS THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH “

Angelique McKay

Head of the Department, The Orange Economy Unit of the Bahamas

African Diaspora in the Americas Symposium
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Daedelus Hoffman

Curatorial and Education Director at the Oklahoma State University Museum of Art, USA

Sister Cities Spotlight
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Daedelus Hoffman is an artist, publisher, oral historian, podcast producer, and curator. Currently, he is Curatorial & Education Director at the Oklahoma State University Museum of Art, Editorial Director of Cattywampus Press, commissioned documentary producer for National Public Radio affiliate KUT in Austin, TX, and Museum Education Chair of the American Song Archive. As an artist Hoffman’s work has been featured in the Texas Biennial, California Biennial, and the Biennial of the Americas as well as held in a number of public collections including the MFA Tallahassee, the Harn Museum of Art, and Wright State University. Hoffman has also received fellowships from the Mellon Foundation, Harvard University’s Project Zero,Chinati Foundation, and Voces Oral History Center.

Daedelus Hoffman

Curatorial and Education Director at the Oklahoma State University Museum of Art, USA

Sister Cities Spotlight
Thursday, May 30
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM

Celeste Nuñez Salcido

Chair of the Albuquerque-Guadalajara Committee, Albuquerque Sister Cities International, USA

Sister Cities Spotlight
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Celeste Nuñez is the Director of International Business Resources for the New Mexico Trade Alliance, a nonprofit economic development organization. She connects New Mexico companies with local, state, federal, and international resources to help them gain and grow global sales. Of these resources, Celeste manages the SBA-funded State of New Mexico STEP State Trade Expansion Program Grant.

Celeste sits on the Albuquerque Sister Cities Foundation Board and is Chair of the Albuquerque-Guadalajara Sister City relationship where she supports Stem and Art exchanges. In 2019, Celeste served as the organizer for the Albuquerque – Chihuahua Sister City Bilateral Commission under Mayor Keller and then Mayor Maru Campos, which worked to promote projects of mutual benefit in the areas of economic development, tourism, cultural exchange, public safety, and education.

In 2020, Celeste was selected as the Next Gen Global Leader representing New Mexico with the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC). She is currently a member of the USGLC New Mexico Advisory Board.

Celeste is a member of the World Affairs Council in Albuquerque. She is also a member of Global Shapers Albuquerque Hub, a youth community impact group under the World Economic Forum where she serves as the Business Development and Mentorship Project Lead. In addition, Celeste is a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Celeste graduated summa cum laude from the University of New Mexico’s Anderson School of Management with a BBA focused on International Management and Marketing.

Celeste Nuñez Salcido

Chair of the Albuquerque-Guadalajara Committee, Albuquerque Sister Cities International, USA

Sister Cities Spotlight
Thursday, May 30
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM

Celeste graduated summa cum laude from the University of New Mexico’s Anderson School of Management with a BBA focused on International Management and Marketing.

Sudeshna Chatterjee

Global Engagement Officer, Miami-Dade County International Trade, Florida, USA

Sister Cities Spotlight
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Currently serving as the Global Engagement Officer for the Miami-Dade County International Trade Consortium, Sudeshna Chatterjee brings an extensive background in international trade, investment, and education. In the early stages of her career, Sudeshna dedicated over a decade as a Trade and Investment Advisor with UK Trade & Investment, operating from the British High Commission in India.

Her trajectory then led her to the role of Director-South Asia Development for Bournville College in Birmingham, UK, where she was instrumental in establishing and managing the College’s South Asia operations. Leveraging her profound knowledge in education and skills development, Sudeshna went on to found and manage her own companies in both India and the USA.

Sudeshna’s academic background includes a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Calcutta, and an MBA from the Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad, India. With a wealth of experience and a passion for cross-border collaborations, she continues to drive global engagement initiatives forward in her current role.

Sudeshna Chatterjee

Global Engagement Officer, Miami-Dade County International Trade, Florida, USA

Sister Cities Spotlight
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Bill Boerum

President and Chief Executive Officer, Brooks, San Antonio, Texas, USA

Food as Love: a Conversation on Culture and Cuisine in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

Bill Boerum of Sonoma, California is Chair Emeritus of Sister Cities International, currently serving as SCI’s Legal Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS), previously having been Board Vice Chair and as Treasurer. His business is conducting private wine tours in Napa and Sonoma. An international wine tourist himself, he has toured the premier wine regions of France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, and China. Bill’s main civic interest has been serving for over 17 years as a publicly-elected, member of the governing board of Sonoma Valley Hospital, where he is Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee. Also in the healthcare domain, he was for several years, Chair of the Northern California Healthcare Authority, and Vice Chair of the Association of California Healthcare Districts and Chair of its Advocacy Committee. He has an MBA from Cornell University.

Bill Boerum

Sister Cities International Representative to the Organization of American States

Food as Love: a Conversation on Culture and Cuisine in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

Leo Gomez

President and Chief Executive Officer, Brooks, San Antonio, Texas, USA

Supply Chains and Transportation in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

President & Chief Executive Officer Leo Gomez is responsible for leading the Brooks Development Authority and Brooks Gives Back by working with the Board of Directors and staff to establish long-range strategic plans and policies to implement the redevelopment of Brooks and regional prosperity. He leads the organization’s efforts to attract marquee employers by working closely with public officials, economic development partners, and the private sector.

Leo became Vice President of Public and Government Affairs for Spurs Sports & Entertainment in 1996. He left Spurs Sports & Entertainment for two years to serve as General Manager of Administration with Toyota Manufacturing, Texas before returning to Spurs Sports & Entertainment in 2005. His distinguished career also includes serving as President of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. Leo began his professional career as an intern with the U.S. General Accounting Office in Washington, D.C. He also worked with the Research and Planning Division with the Texas Department of Commerce before being named the Assistant Director for the Tomas Rivera Center at Trinity University.

Leo is very active in the San Antonio community serving on the Board of Directors of numerous organizations including greater:SATX, Arboretum of San Antonio and SA Report. He also graduated from the FBI San Antonio Citizens Academy.

Leo has received a number of local and national recognitions, including being featured in the Notable People of San Antonio 2020 Exhibit, named to the San Antonio Business Journal’s list of national commercial real estate influencers in 2019 and earning Power Broker recognition from the San Antonio Express-News. Leo also received the San Antonio Business Journal’s C-Suite Award in September 2018 and was named a “Legend” for his lasting impact on the Southside by the South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce in 2017.

Leo Gomez

President and Chief Executive Officer, Brooks, San Antonio, Texas, USA

Supply Chains and Transportation in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Omar Martinez

Grants and Strategic Initiatives Manager, City of El Paso, Texas, USA

Supply Chains and Transportation in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Omar Martinez is a public program portfolio manager with 12+ years of proven experience in administering public projects ($187+ million), securing and administering federal and state grant funding ($179+ million), implementing state and federal legislative priorities, and developing strategic plans for economic development, transportation and international port of entry infrastructure, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and clean energy and water resources development.

Mr. Martinez is an alumni of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and a lifelong resident of the U.S.-Mexico border. His professional aspirations are focused on supporting and advocating for the region that he and his two children call home.

Omar Martinez

Community Engagement Manager, Microsoft, USA

Supply Chains and Transportation in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Jonathan "J.J." Childress

Community Engagement Manager, Microsoft, USA

People Centered Smart Cities across the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

J.J. Childress is a passionate leader in economic development and technology enabled community transformation, currently leading Microsoft’s TechSpark Initiative in Texas and co-leading TechSpark’s national expansion. This transformative program is dedicated to nurturing talent and equipping communities for the opportunities of the 21st century.

J.J. has played a pivotal role in establishing innovation accelerators, broadband access, digital inclusion, computer science education and entrepreneurship programs across the United States and Mexico. J.J. has founded a range of successful businesses, earning him the Small Business Administration’s Young Entrepreneur award in 2017.

He holds a BBA in Finance and Accounting and an MBA from the University of Texas at El Paso. He has also completed graduate education in entrepreneurship and social transformation from Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Evan’s School of Policy from the University of Washington.

Jonathan "J.J." Childress

Community Engagement Manager, Microsoft, USA

People Centered Smart Cities across the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Rod McSherry

Associate Vice President and Director, Institute for Economic Development, UTSA, Texas, USA

Diplomacy Across the Americas Strengthening Hemispheric Bonds
Thursday, 30 May
12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

Mr. Rod McSherry is the Associate Vice President for Innovation and Economic Development at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Mr. McSherry oversees the Valdez Institute for Economic Development and the Office of Commercialization and Innovation and manages a staff of over 100. His mission includes expanding the reach of current programs, building new relationships with stakeholders, and developing new funding sources, both from the public and the private sectors. He reports to the Vice President for Research.

Established in 1979, UTSA’s Valdez Institute for Economic Development hosts ten centers and a variety of programs that facilitate economic, community, and business development at the local, regional, and national levels. The ten centers are the South-West Texas Border Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network; the UTSA Small Business Development Center; the SBDC International Trade Center; the SBDC Technology Commercialization Center; the SBDC National Information Clearinghouse; the SBDC Center for Government Contracting; the Apex Accelerator; the Center for Community and Business Research; the Southwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center; and the Minority Business Development Center. Programs serve a range of entrepreneurs, from those who are just starting a business to experienced business owners looking for new markets to communities seeking to improve their economic health.

Mr. McSherry has over 36 years of experience in the field of global economic, community, and business development. He has held a variety of positions, most recently as the Associate Provost, International and Border Programs, at New Mexico State University. He has over 30 years of service in the United States Department of Agriculture culminating in his service as a Senior Foreign Service Officer. Additionally, he held postings in Afghanistan, the United Kingdom, Iraq, Thailand, Venezuela, Mexico, and Russia.

Mr. McSherry earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Chemistry, and Biology degree from New Mexico State University in 1984, a Master of Arts in International Agricultural Economics degree from New Mexico State University in 1986, and is currently a Doctor of Economic Development Candidate at New Mexico State University. He is fluent in both English and Spanish and is proficient in Russian, Thai, and French.

Rod McSherry

Associate Vice President and Director, Institute for Economic Development, UTSA, Texas, USA

Diplomacy Across the Americas Strengthening Hemispheric Bonds
Thursday, 30 May
12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

Stephen Kenyah Arthur

Bahamas and Ghana Sister Cities President

African Diaspora in the Americas Symposium
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Stephen Kenyah Arthur, affectionately called “Steve Wonders” is a Native of the Ahanta tribe, a Youth Activist, and a descendant of the Great Whale – King Badu Bonso II. Stephen from an economical home of 13 children has steadily risen as a Local Government representative of his people and President of Ahanta West District SC Commission because of his selfless dedication to the preservation of history, heritages, culture, and norms.

His passion for tourism promotion and development as an economic tool landed him the Chairman of the Tourism, Culture and Arts Subcommittee of the Ahanta West Municipal Assembly. Stephen holds a Degree in Mechanical Engineering and has worked within the Oil & Gas industry for over 7years gaining numerous experiences. Passionate about changing the narrative about the Ahanta people, Stephen and Members of Ahantaman Youth Association developed Edutainment programs notably “Ahantafest-focus on tourism, arts, culture and food preservation and “Miss Ahanta” – focus on Girl Child education, climate change, peace promotion and gender empowerment.

Stephen has over the last 3years been actively involved with the research works of Christopher Davis and Bahamian Counterpart. His role as a Liaison Officer uniquely assisted in the appointment of A Bahamas Ambassador to Ghana, Signing of Sister cities Agreement between Ahanta & Bahamas and the signing of VISA waivers between Ghana and Bahamas. Stephen is a young Pan-African who want the World to know of the Story of Ahanta people, their involvement in freedom fighting that lead to the beheading of their King Badu Bonso II, connecting the African Diaspora to Ahanta and the opportunities and challenges facing his tribe. Ahanta is on the rise again, Stephen’s believe.

Stephen Kenyah Arthur

Bahamas and Ghana Sister Cities President

African Diaspora in the Americas Symposium
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Teri Simmons

Partner, Arnall Golden Gregory, Georgia, USA

Transformative Impact of the Arts in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Teri A. Simmons is a partner at Arnall Golden Gregory in Atlanta, Georgia, where she has practiced for over 30 years. Arnall Golden Gregory employs over 200 attorneys at its offices in Atlanta, Georgia and Washington DC. She directs the International/ Immigration Practice Group which focuses on the holistic representation of multi-nationally owned companies in the US in the areas of corporate, employment, and immigration law. The group employs 12 professionals fluent in German along with additional language expertise in Dutch, French, Romanian, Portughese, Mandarin and Spanish.

Ms. Simmons is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Georgia School of Law where she teaches the course on Business Immigration Law.

Active in the international community, and fluent in both spoken and written German, Ms. Simmons served as the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s (AILA’s) Customs & Border Protection liaison chair for Atlanta Hartsfield Airport for many years, on the national AILA CBP committee and as Mentor Chair for Chapter Chairs of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She chaired the Ga./Ala . Chapter of AILA from 1999- 2001. She currently serves on the board of AILA’s Latin America/ Caribbean Chapter, on AILA’s national faculty for online E visa coursework, on the national honorary board of NGO Sister Cities International, on the Boards of the Dean Rusk Center for International and Comparative Law, the German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southeastern U.S. and the German American Cultural Foundation. She served formerly as the Mayoral appointed Chair of the Atlanta Sister Cities Commission. The Federal Republic of Germany has awarded her with the Friendship Award, and the City of Nürnberg has presented her with the International Prize of Honor in 2008 and 2023 for her work with the Atlanta/ Nürnberg Sister Cities programming.

Teri Simmons

Partner, Arnall Golden Gregory, Georgia, USA

Transformative Impact of the Arts in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Ms. Simmons is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Georgia School of Law where she teaches the course on Business Immigration Law.

Ken Nelson

President, Asheville Sister Cities

Sister Cities Spotlight
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Ken Nelson is serving his second term as President of Asheville Sister Cities Inc. (ASCI), which has been recognized several times with the Best Overall Program Award for the small city category. Asheville currently lists six sister cities including two in Mexico – Valladolid and San Cristóbal de las Casas – and he is excited to present highlights from ASCI’s Mayan Melipona Bee Sanctuary Project. The project links the original Bee City USA with Valladolid, the self-proclaimed “World Capital of Honey”, building on our shared environmental, cultural and commercial interests, and was presented the 2023 SCI Innovation in Arts and Culture Award (small city category).

Besides his involvement with ASCI, Ken is passionately committed to building a sustainable, low-carbon energy future and co-founded and serves as president of Blue Delta Energy, a firm focusing on sustainability finance, and serves on the Boards of the Environmental Markets Association and M-RETS, a Minneapolis-based sustainable energy tracking software company. He is also a member of the Rotary Club of Asheville and served on Asheville’s Blue Horizons Project Community Council working on a “100% Renewable Energy Plan” for the city and county.

Ken Nelson

President, Asheville Sister Cities

Sister Cities Spotlight
Thursday, May 30
11:15 PM to 12:30 PM

Sacha Francois Heppell

Executive Director, Denver Sister Cities International, Colorado, USA

Leveraging the Diplomatic Corps to support Sister City Engagement
Friday, 31 May
1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Sacha Francois Heppell is an accomplished advocate for cultural exchange and international relations, with a career deeply rooted in empowering future leaders and fostering global friendships. Serving as the Executive Director of Denver Sister Cities International, he has significantly contributed to its mission of promoting diplomacy and connection between Denver, Colorado, and its ten sister cities. Sacha’s nearly decade-long volunteer service prior to his leadership role underscores his commitment to creating impactful exchange programs that cover a wide range of interests, including governance, education, music, art, entrepreneurship, brewing, and culinary arts.

Under his guidance, Denver Sister Cities International earned the 2023 Sister Cities International Innovation in Arts and Culture award, highlighting its dedication to creativity, culture, and collaboration. Beyond his work with the sister cities program, Sacha founded a youth media leadership program in 2006, aiming to develop young talents and their media capabilities. His efforts to break down racial and gender barriers were nationally recognized during a 2012 interview with Don Lemon on CNN.

Sacha’s influence extends into the digital health and education sectors, earning him a spot in the ’40 Under 40′ list by Medical Media + Marketing magazine. His diverse roles have allowed him to build a vast network within pharmaceutical and medical device industries, connecting with experts and thought leaders. Sacha remains dedicated to his vision of a more interconnected and harmonious world, continually working to empower the next generation and enhance cultural exchanges globally.

Sacha Francois Heppell

Executive Director, Denver Sister Cities International, Colorado, USA

Leveraging the Diplomatic Corps to support Sister City Engagement
Friday, 31 May
1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Phil Cullen

Senior Director of Organizational Development and Basketball Operations, San Antonio Spurs, San Antonio, Texas, USA

Sports Diplomacy Across the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

Is in his eighth season in the Spurs front office … in his current role, he also oversees processes related to basketball operations and project management of The Rock at La Cantera, a state-of-the-art human performance campus featuring the Victory Capital Performance Center, Frost Bank Plaza, a human performance research center, a 22-acre park and space for medical, hospitality and office use … prior to making the move to San Antonio spent four seasons at the University of Utah where he served as the team’s director of basketball operations during the 2015-16 season … spent the previous three seasons as the Utes director of player development and camps, following a three-year stint as an assistant coach at Grand Canyon University … played for Utah from 1998-2002 and helped the Utes to a 90-35 record during that span … also played baseball for the Utes … the right-handed pitcher was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2000, appearing in a total of 46 games for two Seattle minor-league affiliates in three seasons … received his bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from Utah in 2006 and earned his master’s in leadership from GCU in 2012 … he and his wife, Tara, have five children.

Phil Cullen

Senior Director of Organizational Development and Basketball Operations, San Antonio Spurs, San Antonio, Texas, USA

Sports Diplomacy Across the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

Gerry Schwebel

Executive Vice President, Corporate International Division, IBC Bank, USA

International Trade and Investment in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 PM

Gerry Schwebel widely regarded as one of America’s leading experts on international trade and finance, is a graduate of Texas A&I University at Laredo (now Texas A&M International University). His knowledge and unique overview have resulted in his being called upon on numerous occasions to testify before Congress on issues of the U.S.-Mexico trade, including the North America Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the U.S. Mexico Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA); U.S.-Mexico Transportation and Logistics issues; issues related to international finance and immigration. Schwebel was directly involved in the negotiations of the new USMCA as a representative of the private sector team.

As Corporate Head of the International Division of IBC Bank since 1996, Schwebel is part of the executive management team of the bank. His position has also allowed him to become engaged in key leadership roles in
numerous local, state, national and international organizations including as Chair of the Border Trade Alliance (BTA) in 1993 (the year NAFTA was adopted); Chair of the North America Strategy for Competitiveness (NASCO) in 2013; Bi-national Director of the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce; Member of the transportation, Logistics and Infrastructure Committee of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Member of the Texas Border Trade Advisory Committee (BTAC); Member of the Texas Freight Mobility Committee; Appointed Member of the Lt. Governor Dan Patrick’s Transportation and Ports Advisory Committee as well as Vice Chair of the I-69 Alliance of Texas and Member of I-27 Advisory Committee. In addition, Mr. Schwebel was invited to serve as a member of the prestigious Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) Advisory Council. In the Institute’s 70-year history they address and work on complex transportation challenges and opportunities with innovation, objectivity, and unmatched technical expertise.

Most recently, Mr. Schwebel is involved with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as a member of the U.S.-Mexico Economic Council (USMXECO). This council serves as a platform for both the U.S. and Mexico private sectors to work together in the creation of innovative solutions to shared policy challenges, all in the name of boosting growth and creating goods and services jobs in the United States and across North America. It stems from the existing U.S.-Mexico CEO Dialogue, which was established in 2013 by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Consejo Coordinador Empresarial (CCE) (Mexican Business Council) as a bilateral private sector forum fostering conversation on key economic and trade issues that impact the relationship between the two countries.

Gerry Schwebel

Executive Vice President, Corporate International Division, IBC Bank, USA

International Trade and Investment in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 PM

Juan Arcereto

Binational Director, City of Juarez, Mexico

Sister Cities Spotlight
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As Binational Director, City of Juarez Mexico, there are four guiding axes of the Binational strategy of the Municipality of Juarez.

1.-Political representation and public diplomacy

2.-Economic Development and Economic Promotion

Commercial and Tourist Promotion

3.-Cultural Diplomacy

4.-Border Security and prevention

Advisor to the National Commissioner for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture (CONAPESCA) 2013 to 2016.

President of the State Sport Fishing Association of Sinaloa A.C. and Treasurer of the National Federation of Sport Fishing A.C. Interlocutor organizations recognized by CONADE and CONAPESCA in matters of Sport Fishing.

Advisor in the Secretariat of Special Projects of the Government of the State of Sinaloa, with C. Jesús Aguilar Padilla being Governor, participating in the development of investment promotion strategies for new hotels; Promotional tours; Creation of Magical and Stately Towns; And, development of specialized Tourist Products such as sport and recreational fishing. (Culiacan, Sinaloa. 2008-2010).

First Undersecretary of Planning, Investment and Tourism Development of the Sinaloa State Tourism Secretariat, with C. Jesús Aguilar Padilla being Governor.

(Culiacan, Sinaloa. 2007-2008).

Juan Arcereto

Binational Director, City of Juarez, Mexico

Sister Cities Spotlight
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As Binational Director, City of Juarez Mexico, there are four guiding axes of the Binational strategy of the Municipality of Juarez.

1.-Political representation and public diplomacy

2.-Economic Development and Economic Promotion

Commercial and Tourist Promotion

3.-Cultural Diplomacy

4.-Border Security and prevention

Advisor to the National Commissioner for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture (CONAPESCA) 2013 to 2016.

First Undersecretary of Planning, Investment and Tourism Development of the Sinaloa State Tourism Secretariat, with C. Jesús Aguilar Padilla being Governor.

(Culiacan, Sinaloa. 2007-2008).

Carol Robertson López

Chair-Emeritus, Sister Cities International

Travel and Tourism in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 AM to 12:00 PM

Carol Robertson López is the Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors of Sister Cities International.  During her tenure Covid presented challenges and opportunities for the organization and saw new ways of connecting through an expanded Country Representative program.  She served six years as Mayor Protempore of Santa Fe, New Mexico and eight years as City Councilor.  Her current project is the Sixth U.S. China Sister Cities Summit in Tacoma, Washington on July 18-19, 2024.  Carol Chairs the Santa Fe Sister Cities Committee which serves ten sister cities. She is a Founding Board Member of the Santa Fe International Folk Art Market celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Carol Robertson López

Chair-Emeritus, Sister Cities International

Travel and Tourism in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 AM to 12:00 PM

Nana John Canoe II (Christopher Davis)

Head of Research and Museum Department, Clifton Heritage National Park (Bahamas)

African Diaspora in the Americas Symposium
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Born to a Trinidadian mother and Bahamian father, a love and appreciation for history and Afro-Bahamian culture was instilled in Christopher Davis from a young age, always proud of his roots in Cat Island. Davis has rapidly risen as a dynamic force weaving history, sport, and PanAfricanism into an electrifying tapestry. From the sandy shores of The Bahamas to the revered halls of African scholarship, his journey has been nothing short of legendary. Former Goalkeeper turned Safohene (Warrior King), he was a regional pioneer in Beach Soccer and is now a global ambassador for PanAfricanism. He unveiled hidden truths of Junkanoo, the Saltwater Underground Railroad, and the African Diaspora, captivating audiences worldwide. He now works at the Clifton Heritage National Park (Bahamas), spearheading a new research and museums department.

John Canoe II has put The Bahamas on the map in the world of black scholarship, bringing a much-needed perspective to the history of Africans. His research has influenced the appointment of a Bahamian Ambassador in Ghana, influenced The Bahamas’ national curriculum and a resurgence among the Ahanta people. John Canoe II’s seminal work has strengthened bonds among the African Diaspora, leading to numerous accolades; the most profound was his coronation as Nana Safohene John Canoe II by the Ahanta Traditional Council in June 2022. Witness the resurgence of John Canoe – a beacon of Afrocentric perspective and a catalyst for change.

Nana John Canoe II (Christopher Davis)

Head of Research and Museum Department, Clifton Heritage National Park (Bahamas)

African Diaspora in the Americas Symposium
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Clint Schelbitzki

Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs, Union Pacific, San Antonio, Texas

Supply Chains and Transportation in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Clint Schelbitzki is the Assistant Vice President, Public Affairs for Union Pacific Railroad located in Spring, Texas. In this position, he leads a team that represents America’s largest freight railroad before the legislatures and communities in eight of the railroads Southern Region states. Prior to this role, he was based in California where he led the company’s Public Affairs team across its six western states.

Clint started with Union Pacific Railroad in 2005 and has since held roles in the railroads Marketing and Sales, Public Affairs, and Network Planning departments.

Clint holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of North Texas and an MBA from the University of Houston. Clint and his wife, Sarah, have two young boys Lincoln and Logan.

Clint Schelbitzki

Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs, Union Pacific, San Antonio, Texas

Supply Chains and Transportation in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Clint started with Union Pacific Railroad in 2005 and has since held roles in the railroads Marketing and Sales, Public Affairs, and Network Planning departments.

Clint holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of North Texas and an MBA from the University of Houston. Clint and his wife, Sarah, have two young boys Lincoln and Logan.

Peter Svarzbein

Chairman, Sister Cities International

Opening Ceremony
Thursday, 30 May
8:30 AM to 9:30 AM

Mayor's Reception
Wednesday, 29 May
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Sister Cities Spotlight
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“The Future is Here” Reception
Thursday, 30 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Transformative Impact of the Arts in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Food as Love: a Conversation on Culture and Cuisine in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

The son of immigrants and the grandson of a holocaust survivor, Peter Svarzbein is an artist-curator, municipal consultant, and recent two-term El Paso City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tempore. During graduate school at the School of Visual Arts, Svarzbein created the “El Paso Transnational Trolley Project,” a self-created activist/artist project that resulted in a $97 million state grant for a Intra-city trolley route using the Original PCC Streetcars that once ran between Juaréz, Mx, & El Paso, Tx. This project is currently scheduled to be published as the “Trolley Solution,” a limited edition fine-art book by Harvard University Press in 2024.

He has been a board member of Sister Cities International since 2016, and currently serves as national Chairman of Sister Cities International, the first Latino to do so.  He currently focuses on art, advocacy and community oriented consulting and has been featured on national and international media and speaking engagements on trade, transportation and international relations.

Svarzbein has exhibited work both nationally and internationally including video installation in the Guggenheim’s “Still-Spotting NYC” exhibition, at UTEP’s Rubin Gallery in a bi-national exhibition “El Flow” and in the “Puro Border” exhibition at the INBA Museum of Fine Art in Juaréz, Mx. His most recent installation “Conversos Y Tacos Kosher Gourmet Trucks est. 1492” was funded through a National Endowments for the Arts grant and featured on NPR’s “Here and Now.” He has taught at the Texas Tech College of Architecture, NMSU, and has lectured at Harvard University and UTEP.

Peter Svarzbein

Chairman, Sister Cities International

Opening Ceremony
Thursday, 30 May
8:30 AM to 9:30 AM

Mayor's Reception
Wednesday, 29 May
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Sister Cities Spotlight
Thursday, May 30
11:15 PM to 12:30 PM

“The Future is Here” Reception
Thursday, 30 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Transformative Impact of the Arts in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Food as Love: a Conversation on Culture and Cuisine in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

Mario D'Agostino

Deputy City Manager, City of El Paso, USA

Immigration in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 AM to 12:00 PM

Mario D’Agostino, with more than 30 years of public service experience, is the Deputy City Manager of Public Health and Safety for the City of El Paso, Texas, the 21st largest city in the United States and the largest metropolitan area along the Texas-Mexico border.

As a critical member of the El Paso executive leadership team, D’Agostino has led the region’s response to several community emergencies, including the August 3, 2019, hate-motivated mass shooting, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the migrant surges impacting the nation’s southern border.

Under his guidance, the City of El Paso continues to work proactively to assist migrants with sheltering and getting them to their next destination while ensuring that the health and safety of the El Paso community are maintained. The migration surges have been dynamic, with people from all over the world crossing the U.S.-Mexico border into El Paso from Cuidad Juárez. During the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic, D’Agostino’s leadership was instrumental in the border community ranking among the cities in the nation with the highest vaccination rates.

D’Agostino oversees approximately a third of the City’s workforce, including the Office of Emergency Management, Police, Fire, Public Health, the 911/311 Call Centers, Animal Services, Municipal Courts, and Code Enforcement. Before being named Deputy City Manager, D’Agostino served as Chief of the El Paso Fire Department, which has consistently earned an ISO Class 1 rating for its fire protection services.

D’Agostino earned a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis on Public Administration from Columbia Southern University. He is an Ex-Officio Board Member of the El Paso Chapter of the American Red Cross and an active member of the Board of Directors for the El Paso 911 District. He has earned numerous recognitions throughout his public service career, most recently the Texas Emergency Management Leadership Award and the Lucy G. Acosta Humanitarian of the Year Award through Project Amistad.

Mario D'Agostino

Deputy City Manager, City of El Paso, USA

Immigration in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 AM to 12:00 PM

Martha Vera

Honorary Consul of Spain in El Paso, Sister Cities International Country Representative to Spain, Fellow, Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness, El Paso, Texas, USA

Leveraging the Diplomatic Corps to support sister city engagement
Friday, 31 May
1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Honorary Consul of Spain, Martha Vera, is a native of El Paso, TX. She was appointed as Honorary Consul of Spain in El Paso in 2015. She owns The Vera Group, LLC.

She holds a master’s in International Law, Foreign Trade, and Foreign Relations from Instituto Superior de Derecho y Economia in Madrid, Spain. She also holds a master’s and bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at El Paso in Biology, Cell Biology and Virology. She is a Corresponding Academic and Delegate of the Instituto de Estúdios Historicos Bances y Valdes in Oviedo, Spain. She also holds an Executive Diploma from the United Nations’ Institute for training and Research in International Diplomatic Law for Honorary Consuls. She is President of the Board of the Paso del Norte World Affairs Council. She is a member of Sister Cities
International working as the Country Representative to Spain and is Marketing Chair for the 2024 All Americas Summit.

She is a Fellow at the Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness at the University of Texas at El Paso researching the USMA Rules of Origin in the Automotive Industry and its impact on supply chains. She is currently giving courses on International Law with respect to business and human resources with CELOGIS for the program Horizonte 2030.

She promotes the true history of Spain in the New World, with special focus along the Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. She has lectured in over 25 cities in Spain. She received the Medal of the Regiment of Infantry in Asturias, created in 1663, by the Cuerpo de la Nobleza del Principado de Asturias. She is currently translating the 5th Volume of the Mystical City of God on the life of Sor Maria de Jesús de Ágreda which will be out in early fall.

Martha Vera

Honorary Consul of Spain in El Paso, Sister Cities International Country Representative to Spain, Fellow, Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness, El Paso, Texas, USA

Leveraging the Diplomatic Corps to support sister city engagement
Friday, 31 May
1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Honorary Consul of Spain, Martha Vera, is a native of El Paso, TX. She was appointed as Honorary Consul of Spain in El Paso in 2015. She owns The Vera Group, LLC.

Andrés Muñoz

Chief Marketing Officer, Visit San Antonio

Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Andrés Muñoz is the Chief Marketing Officer for Visit San Antonio, the sales and marketing organization promoting San Antonio as a premier tourism and meeting destination.

Muñoz started with the organization in February 2012. He brings more than 20 years of diverse experience in the marketing and communications field, most recently serving for three years as the SACVB Group Account Director at Bromley Communications.

His award-winning experience includes marketing efforts for McDonald’s, Colgate, Visa and Sony. Global creative agency DDB brought him from Colombia to the U.S. to lead the McDonald’s USA Hispanic account.

A native of Colombia, Muñoz is married and has two children.

Hospitality is a leading industry in San Antonio, which attracts 41 million visitors a year. 1 in every 8 residents is employed in the industry, which has an overall annual economic impact of $15.2 billion.

Andrés Muñoz

Chief Marketing Officer, Visit San Antonio

Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Andrés Muñoz is the Chief Marketing Officer for Visit San Antonio, the sales and marketing organization promoting San Antonio as a premier tourism and meeting destination.

A native of Colombia, Muñoz is married and has two children.

Jim Perschbach

President and CEO, Port San Antonio

“The Future is Here” Reception
Thursday, 30 May
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Perschbach leads the team developing the 1,900-acre Tech Port innovation campus as a national destination for advanced technologies, including aerospace, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure resiliency, defense, manufacturing and global trade.

The Port is one of South Texas’ fastest-growing economic engines—home to over 80 tenant customers with 18,000 employees—with an annual economic impact of over $5.6 billion.

Perschbach also serves his community in other leadership roles. He’s on the board of Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) and is a member of the Texas Advanced Air Mobility Committee—a body supporting the development of legislation and policies to implement emerging air transportation technologies statewide.

He has been named by the American Business Journals as one of the country’s top 100 executives to watch.

Perschbach holds an undergraduate degree in business administration from The George Washington University and a law degree from The University of Houston Law Center.

Jim Perschbach

President and CEO, Port San Antonio

“The Future is Here” Reception
Thursday, 30 May
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

The Port is one of South Texas’ fastest-growing economic engines—home to over 80 tenant customers with 18,000 employees—with an annual economic impact of over $5.6 billion.

He has been named by the American Business Journals as one of the country’s top 100 executives to watch.

Perschbach holds an undergraduate degree in business administration from The George Washington University and a law degree from The University of Houston Law Center.

Councilman Manny Pelaez

San Antonio's City Council for District 8

Mayor’s Welcome Reception
Wednesday, 29 May
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Opening Ceremony
Thursday, 30 May
8:30 AM to 9:30 AM

International Trade and Investments in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 PM

Manny Pelaez was elected to San Antonio’s City Council for District 8 in June 2017. He is an experienced business and community leader and attorney.

During his time practicing law, Manny represented more than 175 homeowner associations, hundreds of homeowners, small businesses, and some of the larger employers throughout San Antonio. He was Toyota Motor Manufacturing’s first hire and served as their attorney for many years. He helped create the 4,000+ jobs that have transformed San Antonio’s manufacturing landscape. After Toyota, Manny went on to represent some of the world’s largest manufacturers in the automotive industry, creating more jobs and bringing serious investment to San Antonio.

He also served as Chairman of the Brooks City Base Board where he led the transformation of the former air force base to a thriving community and the live-work-play campus it is today. Manny’s leadership was instrumental in the development of over 3,000 jobs.

Today, he continues to represent homeowners, business owners, schools, banks and international companies from Japan, Spain, and Latin America.

Manny is a former Trustee of the VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority, the Metropolitan Transit Authority, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the Advanced Transportation District.

He also served as the General Counsel for the Bexar County Battered Women and Children Shelter for 10 years.

Currently, Manny serves on several San Antonio City Council Committees including as the chair of the Economic and Workforce Development Committee.

Additionally, he has several appointments including to the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) Board of Directors, BioMed SA, Committee of Six, Economic Development Corporation Committee, Ready to Work Advisory Board, and Sister Cities International.

Councilman Manny Pelaez

City of San Antonio Chair of the Economic and Workforce Committee & Board Member of Sister Cities International

Mayor’s Welcome Reception
Wednesday, 29 May
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Opening Ceremony
Thursday, 30 May
8:30 AM to 9:30 AM

International Trade and Investments in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 PM

Manny Pelaez was elected to San Antonio’s City Council for District 8 in June 2017. He is an experienced business and community leader and attorney.

Today, he continues to represent homeowners, business owners, schools, banks and international companies from Japan, Spain, and Latin America.

Manny is a former Trustee of the VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority, the Metropolitan Transit Authority, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the Advanced Transportation District.

He also served as the General Counsel for the Bexar County Battered Women and Children Shelter for 10 years.

Currently, Manny serves on several San Antonio City Council Committees including as the chair of the Economic and Workforce Development Committee.

Virginia Carefoote

Harvard Fellow, Economic Development Department, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Virginia Carefoote is the inaugural Fellow for the Harvard Kennedy School Taubman Center for State and Local Government Economic Development Fellowship, a one-year program that embeds graduates of the Harvard Kennedy School in state and local economic development offices. As part of the program, Virginia has focused on two primary areas within the City of San Antonio’s Economic Development Department: (1) utilizing public procurement as a tool for economic development, and (2) mitigating the impacts of large-scale construction projects on local small businesses. Raised in a small business household, Virginia is passionate about entrepreneurship and small business ownership as pathways to economic mobility.

Virginia is energized by the role of cities as the “doers” – as the most trusted government institutions and those that are most proximate to residents, local governments are uniquely positioned to affect change. She earned her master’s in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School with a concentration in Urban Development. During her master’s program, Virginia became actively involved in programming focused on urban policy issues, including participating in the Economic Development Seminar Series, co-organizing the urban/rural policy spring break trek to Alaska, and participating in Governor Maura Healey’s transition team, where she supported the governor-elect’s team in translating their campaign agenda into an actionable governing plan.

Virginia began her career in public accounting in New York City, working on financial and operational audits for Fortune 500 banking clients, but left New York after realizing her heart was in the public sector. She then served as a community and economic development volunteer with the U.S. Peace Corps in Senegal and as an AmeriCorps member in New York City’s Division of Housing Policy, where she fell in love with local government. Virginia is from Toronto, Canada, and earned her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business.

Virginia Carefoote

Harvard Fellow, Economic Development Department, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Caitlin Cowart

Small Business Development Manager, Economic Development Department, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Caitlin Cowart has worked for the City of San Antonio since 2013. She worked for the Library as the Communications & Public Relations Manager for 8 years and currently serves as an Economic Development Manager for small business development for the Economic Development Department. Prior to joining the city, she worked in project management, marketing and communications for various industries for more than a decade including healthcare and real estate development. She holds an M.A. in Organizational Leadership from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and a B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She loves her adopted hometown San Antonio and enjoys all the city has to offer alongside her husband and three-year old son.

Caitlin Cowart

Small Business Development Manager, Economic Development Department, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Doug Greene

San Antonio Police Department

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Officer Doug Greene has been a member of the San Antonio Police Department for 14 years. He has served as a public information officer for six years in the department’s Media Services Unit. He currently serves in the Chief’s Office as a Community Engagement Officer. Officer Greene spearheads the department’s Success Through Respect and Handle with Care programs as well as The Brave Cowboy presentation. Prior to joining the department, Officer Greene worked in the TV production industry for ten years. Officer Greene has an associate degree in Radio, TV, and Film, and a BA in Communications-Media. In 2016, Officer Greene was named Officer of the Year for SAPD. He currently serves as a board member for Community Bible Church. He is married to his lovely wife Christine of 20 years. They have three children, two dogs and two hamsters.

Doug Greene

San Antonio Police Department

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Lieutenant Jacob Garza

San Antonio Police Department, Texas, USA

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Lieutenant Jacob Garza has approximately 23 and half years with the San Antonio Police Department. Throughout his career he has worked in the patrol division, investigations, and is currently in the Office of Chief Police. Lieutenant Garza oversees several details and projects in his current role to include the Community Engagement Detail. Lieutenant Garza is committed to building relationships and collaborating with the community members to enhance the goals of quality of life and public safety in San Antonio. Lieutenant Garza served in the United States Air Force from 1995-1999. Lieutenant Jacob Garza holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Lamar University.

Lieutenant Jacob Garza

San Antonio Police Department, Texas, USA

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Walter Ulrich

President & CEO of Medical Bridges

Humanitarian Cooperation and Security in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 PM

Walter Ulrich is President & CEO of Medical Bridges, a leader in global health equity and a life-changing and lifesaving nonprofit serving the global poor by providing needed medical supplies and equipment to clinics and hospitals. In the last 24 months, Medical Bridges prepared, staged, and shipped nearly 500 tons of desperately needed medical supplies and equipment valued at more than $22 million to Ukraine, Gaza, Afghanistan, and developing countries in the Americas, Africa, and Asia while also providing PPE to support rural clinics and charitable hospitals in Texas. Medical Bridges was named the Astros Foundation Charity of the Year for 2022. Walter is a member of the Texas Advisory Committee of the bipartisan US Global Leadership Coalition and is also a member of the Houston Sports Philanthropy Network Leadership team. He was recently awarded the Order of Merit by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for extensive medical relief to the people of Ukraine. Sigma, the international nursing honor society, awarded him its Archon “First to Lead” award at its international biennial event with participants from 40 countries. He was recognized in 2023 as a Global Leader of Influence by the World Affairs Council at the 25th anniversary Jesse H Jones Luncheon and was honored with the Global Impact award at the HITDC 2022 G7 Annual gala. He served as one of 17 founding members of the Governor’s Texas Emerging Technology Fund Committee. Previously he was awarded the prestigious NASA Silver Achievement Medal, and in 2013 the Texas Black Expo bestowed to him their Community Builder Award. A graduate and former Trustee of Stevens Institute of Technology, Mr. Ulrich proudly served his country in the US Marine Corps.

Walter Ulrich

President & CEO of Medical Bridges

Humanitarian Cooperation and Security in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 PM

Susan Harper

Consul General of Canada in Dallas, Texas, USA

International Trade and Investment in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:00 PM

In November 2022, Susan became Consul General in Dallas, the senior representative of the Government in Canada, responsible for Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana and Arkansas. Her office, the Consulate General, covers economic, political, and public affairs, and provides consular and commercial services. The Consulate of Canada in Houston, which focuses on commercial issues, also reports to her office. In addition, these offices coordinate with several other key federal government departments, which focus on a range of issues including energy, environment, security and defence, as well as with Canadian provinces who are active in the territory.

Previously, Susan was Consul General in Miami (2016-2022), Canada`s Senior Arctic Official (2013-16), and Director General in the trade policy area, covering policy, negotiations and regulatory issues (2009-13). She was at the Embassy of Canada in Washington DC (2004-09), where she became the Minister (Economic Affairs). In 2001-04, she was Canada`s Ambassador in Montevideo, Uruguay. She previously held trade positions in Yaoundé, Paris and Buenos Aires.

Prior to joining the Government of Canada, Susan taught at both Cambrian College in Sudbury, and George Brown College in Toronto. She holds an MBA from the Ivey School of Business, at Western University, and an Honours BA in Math and English, from Queen’s University.

Ms. Harper has two children, who keep her diplomatic, financial and cross-border travel skills honed.

Susan Harper

Consul General of Canada in Dallas, Texas, USA

International Trade and Investment in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:00 PM

Ms. Harper has two children, who keep her diplomatic, financial and cross-border travel skills honed.

Suhail Aratsu

Advancement Director, Musical Bridges Around the World, San Antonio, Texas, USA

Sister Cities International Leadership Academy
Wednesday, 29 May
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Suhail Arastu was raised in San Antonio, Texas and studied Neurobiology and Classics at The University of California, Berkeley. He has lived in Japan, and traveled the world by ship under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Now, Suhail works in Institutional Advancement for Musical Bridges Around the World, a non-profit performing arts company charged to unite, educate and inspire through culturally diverse visual and performing arts. Suhail is the Mayor’s appointee to the Public art Commission and has served Sister Cities International Board of Directors. Suhail was appointed Chair of the Arts and Culture for America 250 in preparation for the US Semiquincecentennial in 2026. He leads Yoga privately and at Yoga in Motion while service on the Advisory Council of International Yoga Day – a declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014.

Suhail Aratsu

Advancement Director, Musical Bridges Around the World, San Antonio, Texas, USA

Sister Cities International Leadership Academy
Wednesday, 29 May
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Raul B. Rodriguez

Community and Thought Leader, Nonresident Fellow, Rice University's Baker Institute Center for the U.S. and Mexico, USA

Diplomacy Across the Americas Strengthening Hemispheric Bonds
Thursday, 30 May
12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

Raul Rodriguez is a Nonresident Fellow at the Baker Institute at Rice University in Houston, ranked worldwide as the best university-affiliated think tank. He has participated in leadership roles in academic, business, civic, and government affairs based in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

Raul has served as CEO of the North American Development Bank; Associate VP for International Affairs at Tecnológico de Monterrey (Tec); Mexico’s Trade Commissioner in Canada; Executive Director at the Mexican Foreign Trade Bank; Founding Chairman of the North American Center at Arizona State University; and Chairman of the U.S.-Mexico Foundation in New York.

He was the host of a weekly Univision TV interview newscast on business and economic issues in Texas. He organizes and hosts “fireside chats” and public interviews with distinguished speakers on economic and geopolitical trends: Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee, Microsoft´s President Brad Smith, Bill Gates, MIT President Rafael Reif, Ernesto Zedillo, Yuval Harari, Jeffrey Sachs, Fareed Zakaria, David Rubenstein, Anne Applebaum, Michael Crow, and Darren Walker, among others. He has published business essays in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, the U.K., and the Netherlands, and has participated as a speaker and lecturer in over 30 countries.

Raul has been recognized with Spain´s King Felipe VI Order of Civil Merit and Mexico´s Ohtli award, among others. He is a graduate of Tec and Harvard University, where he was recognized as a Littauer Fellow. A U.S. citizen born in Mexico, Raul and his family have lived in the U.S. and Canada for over 30 years.

Raul B. Rodriguez

Community and Thought Leader, Nonresident Fellow, Rice University's Baker Institute Center for the U.S. and Mexico, USA

Diplomacy Across the Americas Strengthening Hemispheric Bonds
Thursday, 30 May
12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

Ruth Hughs

Former Secretary of State, Austin Chamber of Commerce

Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Ruth Ruggero Hughs, former Texas Secretary of State, is a partner at Kelly Hart’s Austin office and Co-Chair’s the firm’s Public Law group. Her practice is focused on Public Law, assisting businesses to manage the intersection of law, policy and government, including advising on international transactions and trade matters, government procurement, energy regulatory and policy matters, corporate governance and crisis counseling, federal and state regulatory matters, and public policy. Ms. Hughs brings decades of combined legal, government, and political experience to the comprehensive array of services she provides to corporate, public, and non-public clients at the federal, state, and local levels.

Ms. Hughs most recently served the State of Texas as the 113th Secretary of State, appointed by Governor Greg Abbott in 2019. As Secretary, she was the State’s Chief Election Officer, Chief International Protocol Officer, and the Governor’s Chief Advisor and Liaison to Mexico and the border region. While Secretary of State, she served as the Texas’ Border Commerce Coordinator and Chair of the Border Trade Advisory Committee (BTAC), which advises the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to advance infrastructure projects that facilitate cross-border trade between Texas and Mexico. In that role, she convened the BTAC, which included over 30 stakeholder groups and worked to advance the Texas-Mexico Border Transportation Master Plan (BTMP) to completion.

“Throughout her time as Secretary of State, Ruth has been a faithful servant to the people of Texas, and I thank her for her commitment to our state,” said Governor Abbott. “Ruth’s exceptional leadership has helped strengthen the Texas brand on the international stage and grow our businesses and trade relationships around the world. Ruth also served as a trustworthy steward of our elections. I am grateful for our collaboration over the past few years to build an even brighter future for the Lone Star State.”

In addition, she served as a member of the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response (IDTF) and was a member of the Governor’s Strike Force to Open Texas (COVID-19 Response). Hughs also led the partnership program for Texas Businesses Against Human Trafficking (TBAT). Prior to her appointment as Secretary of State, Hughs served as Chair and Commissioner Representing Employers at the Texas Workforce Commission, where she worked to foster opportunities for economic growth by partnering with the business community to provide employers with a variety of resources to expand their businesses. Hughs also previously served at the Office of the Texas Attorney General as the Director of Defense Litigation. She was responsible for successfully managing and overseeing the civil litigation divisions representing agencies across the state. Before her tenure in public service, Hughs worked as a licensed attorney and was a small business owner.

Hughs is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the New Jersey State Bar. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin and a Juris Doctor degree from Rutgers Camden School of Law, where she was named Top Ten Best Oralist and was on the Jessup International Moot Court team. She is fluent in Spanish.

Ruth Hughs

Former Secretary of State, Austin Chamber of Commerce

Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

David Fonseca

Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Jockey Ventures Latin Americas, Bogota, Colombia

International Trade and Investment in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 PM

David Fonseca, CEO of Jockey Ventures, drives impactful ventures across the Americas. Formerly helming VelocityTX, he spearheaded innovation projects for institutions like the EDA, City of San Antonio, and UT Health. A board member of Alamo Angels, Geekdom, and InBIA, he shapes thriving ecosystems. As a professor at Universidad del Rosario, Colombia, David fosters global entrepreneurship and advises Growth Wheel Inc. Recognized by Texas A&M and Pontificia Universidad de Huatusco, David is a Texas 100
List honoree, a San Antonio Business Journal’s 40 under 40, and the 502d Air Base Wing Honorary Commander.

David Fonseca

Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Jockey Ventures Latin Americas, Bogota, Colombia

International Trade and Investment in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 PM

Ricki Garrett

Interim President and CEO of Sister Cities International

Sister Cities International Leadership Academy
Wednesday, 29 May
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Ricki Garrett is Interim President and CEO of Sister Cities International. She has also served as Alderwoman at Large and Mayor Pro Tempore of Clinton, Mississippi since 2017. Ricki served as Executive Director of the Mississippi Speech-Language-Hearing Association from 2015 to 2023.

In 2014, Ricki founded the first nurse practitioner association in Mississippi, The Mississippi Association of Nurse Practitioners, and served as its first Executive Director.

From 2004 until 2011, Ricki served as Executive Director of the Mississippi Nurses Association. During her tenure, MNA became one of the leading nursing organizations in the country through its advocacy efforts, educational offerings, and collaborations with nursing and other organizations state-wide and nationally.

Prior to her tenure at MNA, Ricki spent twelve years on the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, governing Mississippi’s eight publicly supported universities. Ricki has also served as a gubernatorial appointee to the Mississippi Ednet Board, the Mississippi Commission on Volunteer Service, the Mississippi Humanities Council, and the Governor’s Task Force on Health Information Exchange. She has also served as president of the Mississippi Stadium Commission and the Mississippi University for Women Alumni Association. In 2005, she was named one of the 50 Leading Business Women by the Mississippi Business Journal and in 2004, was named Woman of the Year by the Mississippi University for Women. She has recently served as the Board Chair of Goodwill Industries of Mississippi and as the President of the Mississippi Society of Association Executives. She currently serves as a Board Member of the Mississippi Municipal League and on the Board of the Mississippi Council on Economic Education.

Ricki has a doctorate in higher education from Jackson State University, an M.A. in English from the University of Mississippi, and a B.A. in English from Mississippi University for Women. Her dissertation on Women in Governance won a national Council of Historical Black Graduate Schools/Proquest award in 2008.

Ricki is married to Jesse Garrett, a retired pharmacist with the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and has two sons, Walker, a cyber security systems architect with Northrop Grumman in Huntsville, Alabama; and Oliver, an assistant director in Burbank, California.

Ricki Garrett

Interim President and CEO of Sister Cities International

Mayor's Reception
Wednesday, 29 May
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Opening Ceremony
Thursday, 30 May
8:30 AM to 9:30 AM

“The Future is Here” Reception
Thursday, 30 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Sister Cities International Leadership Academy
Wednesday, 29 May
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Closing Event
Friday, May 31
6:00 PM to 7:00PM

In 2014, Ricki founded the first nurse practitioner association in Mississippi, The Mississippi Association of Nurse Practitioners, and served as its first Executive Director.

Joseph E. Lopez

Manager of Irving International Affairs and Sister Cities for the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce

Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Joseph E. Lopez currently serves as Manager of Irving International Affairs and Sister Cities for the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce, a collaborative partner of the Irving Economic Development Partnership. In this capacity he supports the relational and international economic development interests for the City of Irving, Texas, coordinating investment opportunities and other relevant activities with foreign diplomatic and trade officials, foreign investors and numerous trade and business organizations across the North Texas region and the globe.

Joseph E. Lopez

Manager of Irving International Affairs and Sister Cities for the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce

Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Owen Herrnstadt

The Honorable Owen Herrnstadt, Member, Board of Directors of the U.S. Export Import Bank

International Trade and Investment in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 AM

Diplomacy Across the Americas Strengthening Hemispheric Bonds
Thursday, 30 May
12:30 AM to 2:00 PM

On July 13, 2022, the U.S. Senate confirmed Owen E. Herrnstadt to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Mr. Herrnstadt was sworn in on July 15, 2022. Owen Herrnstadt served as the Chief of Staff to the International President and Director of Trade and Globalization, at the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. As Chief of Staff, he assisted in running one of the largest manufacturing and transportation unions in the world. As Director of Trade and Globalization, he developed policy for international trade, economic investment, international labor standards, and human rights matters.

Mr. Herrnstadt has taught employment and labor law as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s National Law Center and international employment and labor law at American University’s Washington College of Law. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a former member of the U.S. Export-Import Bank Federal Advisory Committee, U.S. State Department Federal Advisory Committee on International Economics, Co-Chair of the State Department’s Stakeholder Advisory Board on OECD Guidelines, Independent Mexico Labor Expert Board and the Industry Trade Advisory Committee 1 (Aerospace). Mr. Herrnstadt has also served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Baltimore Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. He has made numerous presentations on labor and employment law, international employment and labor law, corporate social responsibility, trade, manufacturing policy, human rights, and industrial relations in the U.S. and abroad.

Mr. Herrnstadt has written numerous articles and has testified before Congress and federal agencies on numerous matters, including labor and employment law, as well as trade and manufacturing policy. He is a Fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Law and served as a Research Associate at the Economic Policy Institute. He has received the Outstanding Practitioner Award and the Practitioner Fellow Award by the Labor and Employment Research Association and the Georgetown University Silver Vicennial Award in recognition of service to the Georgetown community.

Mr. Herrnstadt was born in Ames, Iowa and received his BS, MS (Industrial Relations) and JD degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Owen Herrnstadt

The Honorable Owen Herrnstadt, Member, Board of Directors of the U.S. Export Import Bank

International Trade and Investment in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 AM

Diplomacy Across the Americas Strengthening Hemispheric Bonds
Thursday, 30 May
12:30 AM to 2:00 PM

Mr. Herrnstadt was born in Ames, Iowa and received his BS, MS (Industrial Relations) and JD degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Officer Joel Pope

San Antonio Police Officer

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Joel Pope is a San Antonio Police Officer who is currently assigned to the Chief’s Office Community Engagement Unit.

Joel’s current assignment is focused on creating meaningful community relationships with an emphasis on projects that lead to increased police legitimacy and promote procedural justice.

Before his current assignment Joel spent 16 years developing police training programs centered around enhancing quality law enforcement services intended to bolster police legitimacy. These programs are based in realistic scenario training, with an emphasis on stress control techniques and performance phycology as it relates to critical police response. Joel supports data driven improvements in training and is a published author in this field. Joel supports officer career and life development by implementing Performance Recovery Optimization techniques, a first within the San Antonio Police Department. Based on Joel’s work with San Antonio Police psychological services, San Antonio was chosen and presented to the U.S. Congress as an example of health and wellness programs designed to provide successful law enforcement mental health and wellness strategies. Joel has consulted for the International Association of Chiefs of Police working with major cities across the United States.

Joel currently consults for The Department of Justice implementing community engagement and officer wellness programs internationally. Preparing police officers to be healthy and effective inspires Joel’s work due to the direct impact it has on the community they are serving and their wellbeing.

Joel is a local, state and federal trained police instructor with 28 years of law enforcement experience. Joel has trained and provided training programs for numerous police agencies, corporate and community members alike. Joel works closely with multiple community youth groups throughout San Antonio

Joel holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Texas State University- [1996]; and a TCOLE Master Peace Officer License.

Officer Joel Pope

San Antonio Police Officer

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Joel Pope is a San Antonio Police Officer who is currently assigned to the Chief’s Office Community Engagement Unit.

Joel’s current assignment is focused on creating meaningful community relationships with an emphasis on projects that lead to increased police legitimacy and promote procedural justice.

Joel holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Texas State University- [1996]; and a TCOLE Master Peace Officer License.

Mayor Frank Scarpitti

Mayor of Markham

High Level Mayoral Dialogue- Urban Horizons: Mayor’s Perspectives on Local Priorities and Global Challenges
Thursday, 30 May
9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

Immigration in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 aM to 12:00 AM

Mayor Frank Scarpitti was elected as Mayor of Markham in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022.

He is Markham’s second longest serving Mayor.

Mr. Scarpitti was first elected to Markham Council in 1985, as a Regional Councillor. In total, the people of Markham have elected him ten times. He has served on both the Councils of the City of Markham and York Region for 30 years.

Mayor Scarpitti serves on York Regional Council and is the current Chair of York Region Rapid Transit Corporation (VIVA Transit).

He serves as a member on the Alectra board, one of the largest municipally-owned electrical utilities in North America.

Mayor Scarpitti gives his time to a number of non-profit organizations related to health, social programs, arts and culture. As Co-Chair of Markham Stouffville Hospital’s Capital Campaign, his efforts contributed to surpassing the hospital’s $50 million fundraising goal.

He led Markham’s initiative to secure the Markham Pan Am Centre and attract a Markham campus for York University.

Mayor Frank Scarpitti

Mayor of Markham

High Level Mayoral Dialogue- Urban Horizons: Mayor’s Perspectives on Local Priorities and Global Challenges
Thursday, 30 May
9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

Immigration in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 aM to 12:00 AM

Mayor Frank Scarpitti was elected as Mayor of Markham in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022.

He is Markham’s second longest serving Mayor.

Mayor Scarpitti serves on York Regional Council and is the current Chair of York Region Rapid Transit Corporation (VIVA Transit).

He serves as a member on the Alectra board, one of the largest municipally-owned electrical utilities in North America.

He led Markham’s initiative to secure the Markham Pan Am Centre and attract a Markham campus for York University.

Martha Henry

International Relations Manager, Global Engagement Division, Economic Development Department, City of San Antonio

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 PM to 3:30 PM

A native of San Antonio, Martha Henry spent many years studying and working abroad, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe, before settling in her current position at the City of San Antonio’s Global Engagement Division. As an International Relations Manager, Ms. Henry focuses on coordinating official visits to San Antonio, facilitating relationships with local international organizations, and conducting research pertaining to the city’s international interests.

Ms. Henry has been involved extensively in cultural and educational exchange, and has worked with high school and college students and adult learners. She holds a Master’s degree in International Education and Exchange Management from the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont and received a Fulbright fellowship to study higher education in the European Union.

Ms. Henry is also active in the local community and very engaged in the restoration of the San Antonio River, one of the largest urban ecosystem restoration projects in the nation. She is particularly intrigued by the international attention generated by this and other innovative San Antonio projects and by the exchange of best practices with visiting foreign delegations.

Martha Henry

International Relations Manager, Global Engagement Division, Economic Development Department, City of San Antonio

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 PM to 3:30 PM

Maricarmen Plata

Secretary for Access to Rights & Equity, U.S. Mission to the Organization of American States

Diplomacy Across the Americas Strengthening Hemispheric Bonds
Thursday, 30 May
12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

Maricarmen Plata received her undergraduate degree in law and political science at the Universidad Santa María La Antigua (Panama) and an LLM at the University of Cambridge. While focusing on her private legal practice, Maricarmen actively participated in civil society engagement on public policies with a focus on gender equity, women’s leadership and representation in government and private sector boards. Among others, she represented the private sector in the governance working group of the Panamanian Gender Parity Initiative from 2019 to 2021. Maricarmen has also been involved in academic projects for the study and promotion of human rights and was recognized by Chambers Diversity & Inclusion as Highly Commended attorney for Central America. She is presently the Secretary for Access to Rights and Equity at the OAS, overseeing the areas that work with OAS Member States on initiatives pertaining to inclusion and access to rights of vulnerable populations, the promotion of equity, and civil society engagement.

Maricarmen Plata

Secretary for Access to Rights & Equity, U.S. Mission to the Organization of American States

Diplomacy Across the Americas Strengthening Hemispheric Bonds
Thursday, 30 May
12:30 PM to 2:00 PM

Marcello Belinati Martins

Mayor of Londrina

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Marcelo was born in Londrina, he graduated in Medicine at State University of Londrina – UEL, and he specialized in Orthopedics and Traumatology at the University Hospital – HU. Then he completed a postgraduate degree in Health Audit and Management at Gama Filho University. He is a public servant, worked as a Doctor at the SAMU – Mobile Emergency Care Service (ambulance), and also at the INSS – National Social Security Institute, being admitted to a public examination in both. He is also a Lawyer, graduated in Law at State University of Londrina – UEL. He was elected the most voted Councilor in Londrina, in the elections of the years 2004 and 2008. In both terms he presented more than 500 Bills in the most diverse areas. During this period, he continued working normally as a doctor for half of the day. In 2014, he was elected federal deputy with 137.817 votes. In the Chamber of Deputies he served as a member of the Social Security and Family Committee (Health area), and the Consumer Protection Committee, as well as specific subcommittees in the area of Health and Education.

Marcello Belinati Martins

Mayor of Londrina

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Luis G. Moreno

Former U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica, Texas, USA

Moderator: Humanitarian Cooperation and Security in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 PM

Luis G. Moreno, a career member served as Ambassador to Jamaica from December 2014 to June 2017 when he retired from the Foreign Service. He is currently a member of the Foreign Service Grievance Board.Prior to Jamaica, Ambassador Moreno served as the Deputy Chief of Mission in Madrid, Spain. From 2010 to 2011, he served as the Political-Military Minister Counselor and Force Strategic Engagement Cell Director in Baghdad, Iraq. From 2007 to 2010, Ambassador Moreno served as the Deputy Chief of Mission in Tel Aviv, Israel. From 2004 to 2007, he was the Consul General and Principal Officer in Monterrey, Mexico. Ambassador Moreno served as the Deputy Chief of Mission in Port-au-Prince, Haiti from 2001 to 2004 From 1997-2001, Ambassador Moreno served as the Narcotics Affairs Director in Bogota, Colombia. He was instrumental in planning and implementing Plan Colombia.

In 1995, Ambassador Moreno was assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Panama as the Narcotics Director and Law Enforcement Coordinator. Shortly after his arrival he was detailed as the Kurdish Refugee Coordinator. He oversaw the U.S. government effort in moving Kurdish refugees to Guam and assisted them in their resettlement to the United States. In 1993, Ambassador Moreno was assigned to Port-au-Prince, Haiti as Refugee Coordinator. While in Haiti, he repatriated tens of thousands of Haitians, as well as directed three political asylum in-country processing centers. After the United Nations intervention in 1994, Ambassador Moreno became the Embassy’s first political-military officer. He was also the U.S. government’s primary advisor to the International Police Monitors.

Earlier in his career, Ambassador Moreno served as the Colombia Desk Officer for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement in Washington, DC; Deputy Director of the Narcotics Affairs Section in Lima, Peru; Staff Assistant in the Bureau of Latin American Affairs in Washington, DC; American Citizens Services Chief in Managua, Nicaragua; and Vice-Consul in Bogota, Colombia.

Ambassador Moreno has received 11 Senior Performance Awards, four Superior Honor Awards, three Meritorious Honor Awards, and the American Foreign Service Association William Rivkin Award for Creative Dissent. He won the Department of State’s James Clement Dunn Award for Excellence in Diplomacy in 2001. He received the Department of State’s Heroism Award in 2004. In 2012, he received a Presidential Meritorious Service Award for his achievements in 2010 as the Principal Officer in Monterrey, Mexico and the Deputy Chief of Mission in Tel Aviv, Israel. Ambassador Moreno received a B.A. from Fordham University and a M.A. from Kean College. He speaks Spanish, French, and some Haitian Creole.

Ambassador Luis G. Moreno

Former U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica, Texas, USA

Moderator: Humanitarian Cooperation and Security in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 PM

Laura Patiño

Commissioner, City of Miami Beach Commission, Florida, USA

Resilience and Sustainability in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Laura Patiño, a native Colombian, is the Chief Resilience Officer for the City of San Antonio. As the CRO, Laura leads the development and implementation of city-wide resilience efforts which will help our communities equitably prepare to, bounce back from, and withstand shocks – natural and human-driven disasters – and stresses – vulnerabilities that afflict our communities on an every-day basis.

Prior to her role in San Antonio, Laura served as the Chief Resilience Officer for the City of Austin, where she developed and comprehensive resilience framework, One Austin, created grant programs to enhance community organizations capacity before, during, and after disasters, and implemented a resilience hubs program. Prior to Austin, Laura served the City of Houston for four years, focusing on Harvey Recovery efforts, the Resilient Houston strategy, Houston’s Climate Action Plan.

Laura has a background in environmental engineering with a focus on integrated bioresources and water resources management. In the engineering field, she has contributed to the private, academic, and government sectors advancing environmental justice and remediation, climate mitigation and adaptation, and disaster recovery research, projects and programs.

Laura earned her Master’s Degree from McGill University in Montreal, Canada and her Bachelor’s Degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. She is a contributing author to the Fifth National Climate Assessment, serves in multiple task forces and advisory council across Texas and the U.S., and was named a GreenBiz 30 under 30 honoree. Though she was born in Colombia, Laura has called Texas home for over 6 years, and now lives in San Antonio with her spouse, daughter, and dog. Together, they enjoy the outdoors – cycling, camping, and water sports – and share a passion for environmental conservation.

Laura Patiño

Commissioner, City of Miami Beach Commission, Florida, USA

Resilience and Sustainability in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Karen Ballard

Global Travel & Tourism Team Leader, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, USA

How to Leverage the US Commercial Service in Sister City Relationships for Business Development
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

Travel and Tourism in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 AM to 12:00 PM

In 2014 Karen joined the U.S. Department of Commerce as a Foreign Commercial Officer. Her overseas posts included Sydney, Australia and Buenos Aires, Argentina. She returned to Idaho in 2021 to join the local U.S. trade office where she focused on helping Idaho companies export. Recently she was invited to lead the Global Team for Travel & Tourism for the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, working closely with the National Travel and Tourism Office. Both the Commercial Service and NTTO are part of the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Before joining the International Trade Administration as a foreign service officer, Karen was a client of the Commercial Service. Karen worked for the Idaho Department of Commerce for twenty years, first as an International Tourism Trade Specialist and then as the Administrator of the Idaho Tourism and Film office. While promoting and marketing Idaho, her travels included Governor’s trade missions to Mexico, Brazil, China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan all supported by U.S. Embassies. She also worked closely with the Commercial Service’s overseas offices to develop markets for Idaho tourism in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Scandinavia, New Zealand and Australia.

Karen received her degree in Legal Studies from UC Berkeley before relocating to Idaho. She began her career with Elkhorn Resort in Sun Valley, which is where she met her future husband Brian when he asked to join her round of golf.

Karen Ballard

Global Travel & Tourism Team Leader, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, USA

How to Leverage the US Commercial Service in Sister City Relationships for Business Development
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

Travel and Tourism in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 AM to 12:00 PM

Ambassador Juan B. Sosa

Former Ambassador of Panama to the US and President of the Panama-Business Council

Supply Chains and Transportation in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Moderator: Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Juan B. Sosa was in 1987-89 Ambassador of Panama to the White House representing the Government of President Delvalle and led a coalition of forces in the United States in a fight to overthrow the dictatorial regime of Noriega.

Ambassador Sosa has been in the private sector since 1963, having worked for Colgate Palmolive Company from 1969 to 1988, as Chairman of the Board of his own marketing consulting company. Between 1985 and 1989 he served as Chairman of the Board of Air Panama, the national airline, and between 1987 and 1989 as Member of the Board of Directors of the Panama Canal Commission. President of the U.S.-Panama Business Council. He was appointed Consul General of Panama in Houston, Texas from 2014-2019.

A graduate in Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma, Ambassador Sosa is married to Margaret de Sosa. The Sosa’s have fraternal twins, and reside in Houston, Texas.

Ambassador Juan B. Sosa

Former Ambassador of Panama to the US and President of the Panama-Business Council

Supply Chains and Transportation in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Moderator: Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

A graduate in Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma, Ambassador Sosa is married to Margaret de Sosa. The Sosa’s have fraternal twins, and reside in Houston, Texas.

João Luiz Martins Esteves

Lawyer, PhD in Legal Sciences from the Doctoral Program of the Federal University of Santa Catarina – UFSC

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

João Luiz Martins Esteves is a Lawyer, PhD in Legal Sciences from the Doctoral Program of the Federal University of Santa Catarina – UFSC. Master in State Law and Citizenship at Gama Filho University. He is Specialist in Political Philosophy and in Philosophy: History of Brazilian Thinking, at the State University of Londrina – UEL. He is effective Attorney of the Londrina City Hall and effective Professor of the undergraduate Law course at the State University of Londrina. He is an associate member of the Brazilian Institute of Public Advocacy – IBAP.

João Luiz Martins Esteves

Lawyer, PhD in Legal Sciences from the Doctoral Program of the Federal University of Santa Catarina – UFSC

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Jessica Nguyen

Trade Development Manage, Port Houston

Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Jessica Nguyen joined Port Houston as Trade Development Manager in May 2021.

In her present position, Nguyen is responsible for business development involving US West coast interests, Asia/transpacific route, and promotion of Port Houston’s capabilities for handling retail products, agriculture/cotton, and general imports. She generates international and national trade that benefits the local economy by educating the public and maritime industry interests about the high quality of various specialties offered by Port Houston.

She has 16+ years of professional experience with ocean carriers, drayage providers, and BCOs. Her most recent position prior to joining the port was as Sales Executive with Hapag-Lloyd (America), LLC where she had a 7-year tenure responsible over the US Gulf region.

Nguyen earned her bachelor’s degree in English with a masters in Advanced International Affairs from Texas A&M University.

Jessica Nguyen

Trade Development Manage, Port Houston

Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Jessica Nguyen joined Port Houston as Trade Development Manager in May 2021.

Nguyen earned her bachelor’s degree in English with a masters in Advanced International Affairs from Texas A&M University.

Jayme Staley

Executive Director of Greater Columbus Sister Cities International

Sister Cities International Leadership Academy
Wednesday, 29 May
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Jayme Staley serves as Executive Director of Greater Columbus Sister Cities International where she is responsible for developing and managing the Sister City relationships on behalf of the City of Columbus and Franklin County. At Greater Columbus Sister Cities she works to build community relationships around the world through education, economic development, and arts and culture.

Prior to joining Greater Columbus Sister Cities International, Staley served as Vice President for Public Affairs of Triumph Communications where she worked with corporate, nonprofit, and political clients to develop strategic initiatives and public affairs campaigns on wide-ranging local, state and national priorities. She also served as Executive Director for the Columbus and Central Ohio Children’s Chorus Foundation.

Staley remains active in her advocacy for children and the arts and serves on the Greater Columbus Arts Council Board of Trustees. She received her Bachelor of Arts in International Business from The Ohio State University and speaker German.

Jayme Staley

Executive Director of Greater Columbus Sister Cities International

Sister Cities International Leadership Academy
Wednesday, 29 May
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Janis Burke

CEO at Harris County - Houston Sports Authority

Sports Diplomacy Across the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

In 2006 Janis Burke became the third senior executive and the first woman to hold the position of Chief Executive Officer since the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority’s creation in September 1997. In addition to leading the organization responsible for overseeing the 1.2 billion dollars of bond debt service for Houston’s professional sports stadiums, Burke has led the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority to be awarded numerous major sporting events, among them the FIFA World Cup, college football championships, NCAA Men’s Final Four, Olympic trials, AAU Junior Olympics, and various national and world championships. The Harris County-Houston Sports Authority has earned constant national recognition under Burke’s leadership. In addition to being selected on several occasions as the best sports commission in the country, the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority has also earned the distinction of “Best Employer in Sports,” awarded by Front Office Sports. Individually, Burke has been recognized by numerous organizations for her impactful community work. Distinctions conferred by Conference USA and Rice University acknowledge her for her outstanding contributions as a woman in the Houston sports industry. Additionally, Burke has been named one of “Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women” by Houston Woman Magazine, received the Sports Industry Impact Award from Sam Houston State University, and was identified by the Houston Business Journal as one of Houston’s Most Admired CEOs. Burke also served as Board Chair for Sports ETA, the leading sports tourism trade association in the United States.

Janis Burke

CEO at Harris County - Houston Sports Authority

Sports Diplomacy Across the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

Jag Badwal

Ontario Agent General, representing Government of Ontario in Southern States of US

Leveraging the Diplomatic Corps to Support Sister City Engagement
Friday, 31 May
1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

The premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, appointed Jag Badwal as Agent-General to represent the province in the Southern United States. Based in the Consulate General of Canada office in Dallas, Texas, Jag is responsible for enhancing trade and investment between Ontario and the southern United States. He works together with government officials and stakeholders to create and implement business growth plans and initiatives related to investment attraction and export promotion.

Jag brings over two decades of advocacy and government knowledge to the role, as well as experience in the real estate industry. He has worked with elected officials both at the provincial and federal level delivering positive impacts in communities.

Notably, he was elected President of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party in 2018, after served as Regional Vice President for numerous years.

Jag is a firm believer in giving back to the community. He has served as a board member of Ontario’s Peel Region Children’s Society and has volunteered for the Bereaved Families of Ontario. In 2017, he was awarded the Ontario Volunteer Service Award for his years of dedication to community service.

Jag is married and a proud father of two daughters.

Jag Badwal

Ontario Agent General, representing Government of Ontario in Southern states of US

Leveraging the Diplomatic Corps to Support Sister City Engagement
Friday, 31 May
1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Notably, he was elected President of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party in 2018, after served as Regional Vice President for numerous years.

Jag is married and a proud father of two daughters.

Fred Blanton

SCI Honorary Board Chair

Sister Cities International Leadership Academy
Wednesday, 29 May
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Fred Blanton got his start with Sister Cities International in 1983, through a summer business internship exchange between local businesses in his college town of St. Louis and companies in small villages around St. Louis’ sister city of Stuttgart, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.  After Fred returned from “the summer of a lifetime”, he took his first full time job with Boeing and decided to stay in St. Louis, so the local Sister Cities organization asked Fred to become their “first young board member”.  After several years of actively supporting various local sister cities programs in St Louis and in smaller towns around Missouri, Fred helped host SCI’s very successful annual conference in St. Louis in 2003.  Fred has served on the SCI Board of Directors and Honorary Board and the SCI Virginia State Representative. In addition to supporting about 15 vibrant city programs throughout Virginia, Fred also supports SCI’s Membership Department with requests from member cities across the SCI network to help revitalize various aspects of their local programs.

Fred Blanton

State Representative for the State of Virginia, Sister Cities International, Staunton, Virginia, USA

Sister Cities International Leadership Academy
Wednesday, 29 May
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Fatima Benge

Member, SCI Board of Directors and CountryRepresentative to Angola - President, Houston Luanda Sister City Association

Professional Experience: With three decades of diversified experience in the oil and gas industry at BP Angola, BP Gulf of Mexico and Cobalt International Energy, Fátima has taken on a variety of roles— Environmental Advisor, Management Systems Manager, Operations Team Leader and Corporate Health Safety Security and Environmental (HSSE) Manager. She was employed by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) as a Water and Environmental Sanitation Project Officer.

Additional Experience: In addition to a career as an oil & gas professional, Fátima is a fledgling entrepreneur and business owner of FCS International, LLC. She is also the President of the Houston-Luanda Sister City Association (HLSCA), Member of the SCI Board of Directors and SCI Angola Country Representative. She is a founding member of the Angola US Business Association (ANUSBA) and a Member of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA).

Education: Fátima earned a bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering from Agostinho Neto University (Angola). She also holds a MSc in Water and Environmental Management from Loughborough University in the U.K.
She attended a BP Executive Program – Operations Academy at the MIT Sloan School of Management from 2008 – 2010.

A certified Pilate’s instructor, she is married and lives in Houston, Texas. Their
daughter is the Angolan Singer & Actress– Jacira Araújo

Fatima Benge

Member, SCI Board of Directors and CountryRepresentative to Angola - President, Houston Luanda Sister City Association

A certified Pilate’s instructor, she is married and lives in Houston, Texas. Their
daughter is the Angolan Singer & Actress– Jacira Araújo

Dr. Sheila Walker

Cultural Anthropologist and Documentary Filmmaker

Africa Diaspora in the Americas Symposium
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Relevant works include the edited volumes African Roots/American Cultures: Africa in the Creation of the Americas and Conocimiento desde adentro: Los afrosudamericanos hablan de sus pueblos y sus historias (in Spanish and Portuguese); and the documentaries Scattered Africa: Faces and Voices of the African Diaspora, Slave Routes: A Global Vision with Georges Collinet for the UNESCO Slave Route Project, and Familiar Faces/Unexpected Places: A Global African Diaspora. Familiar Faces was shown at the United Nations in 2018 for the International Decade for People of African Descent, and was sent for showing at UN Information Centers in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, and Europe.
She was a professor of Anthropology and Director of the Center for African and African American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, then a Distinguished Visiting Professor, Professor of Anthropology, and Director of the African Diaspora and the World Program at Spelman College, holding endowed chairs at both institutions.

Dr. Sheila Walker

Cultural Anthropologist and Documentary Filmmaker

Africa Diaspora in the Americas Symposium
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Sheila S Walker, PhD is a cultural anthropologist, writer, documentary filmmaker and the Executive Director of Global African Diaspora, a non-profit organization that creates and shares with the public information about the African Diaspora. She has done field research, lectured, consulted, and organized and participated in intellectual and cultural events in most of Africa and the Global African Diaspora. Relevant works include the edited volumes African Roots/American Cultures: Africa in the Creation of the Americas and Conocimiento desde adentro: Los afrosudamericanos hablan de sus pueblos y sus historias (in Spanish and Portuguese); and the documentaries Scattered Africa: Faces and Voices of the African Diaspora, Slave Routes: A Global Vision with Georges Collinet for the UNESCO Slave Route Project, and Familiar Faces/Unexpected Places: A Global African Diaspora.

Familiar Faces was shown at the United Nations in 2018 for the International Decade for People of African Descent, and was sent for showing at UN Information Centers in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, and Europe.
She was a professor of Anthropology and Director of the Center for African and African American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, then a Distinguished Visiting Professor, Professor of Anthropology, and Director of the African Diaspora and the World Program at Spelman College, holding endowed chairs at both institutions.

Dionísio Manuel da Fonseca

Minister of Local Government of the Republic of Angola

Africa Diaspora in the Americas Symposium
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Currently serves as Minister for Local Government of the Republic of Angola (Since 2022). He is a Member of the Angolan Parliament. Former Deputy Governor of Luanda Province for Political and Social Affairs (2019 – 2022). Holds a Master Degree in Law from the University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom – Scotland, and two Executive Degrees from John Kennedy
School of Government, Harvard University, in “Driving Government Performance: Leadership Strategies that Produces Results” and in “Infrastructure in a Market Economy: Public Private Partnership in a Changing World.”
In his current position, he has been a leading person in promoting the twinning of Angola’s towns and their counterparts across the world.

Dionísio Manuel da Fonseca

Minister of Local Government of the Republic of Angola

Africa Diaspora in the Americas Symposium
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Donna Scantlebury

Jacksonville Sister Cities International, Florida, USA

Sister Cities International Leadership Academy
Wednesday, 29 May
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Donna Scantlebury is presently Florida State Representative for Sister Cities International. A passionate and visionary individual, she is leading Florida’s Sister Cities into a new era in which economic development and education are at the center of all programs. Her organizational skills have served Florida’s three hundred sister cities well, through her support and assistance with programs that assist members raise funds nationally and internationally.

Donna Scantlebury

Jacksonville Sister Cities International, Florida, USA

Sister Cities International Leadership Academy
Wednesday, 29 May
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Colleen Swain

Director of the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office

Creative Cities Collaborating Across the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 AM to 12:00 AM

Colleen Swain has served as Director of the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office since April 2016. The office was established to promote the San Antonio Missions, the first and only World Heritage site in Texas, through the implementation of a work plan developed with community input. The work plan was created to maximize the socio-economic benefits of the designation while balancing the needs of both the visitor and resident.

In 2017, Ms. Swain coordinated the City’s successful application to become a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the category of gastronomy. San Antonio is currently one of nine Creative Cities in the U.S. and one of two in the category of gastronomy. Ms. Swain serves as the Focal Point for San Antonio and Coordinator for all the UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy. In 2024, the City of San Antonio was also accepted into the prestigious Delice Network, joining two other U.S. Cities in linking food and gastronomy to city development, promotion, and over wellbeing of its citizens.

Additionally, the office manages the historic Mission Marquee Plaza, the former 1940’s Mission Drive-in Theatre, that today provides free cultural programming to the community, and Spanish Governor’s Palace, a National Historic Landmark constructed in the early 18th century and restored in the 1930s.

Ms. Swain is a member of U.S. ICOMOS and serves on the Bureau of the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Cultural Tourism (ICTC). She is active in the Organization of World Heritage Cities, a Certified Professional Guide through the Professional Tour Guide Association of San Antonio, a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association of Interpretation, and a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier.

Colleen Swain

Director of the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office

Creative Cities Collaborating Across the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 AM to 12:00 AM

Camila Kunau

Assistant City Attorney for the City of San Antonio

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Camila W. Kunau is an Assistant City Attorney IV with the City of San Antonio, Texas. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and her J.D. from St. Mary’s University. Ms. Kunau is a member of the Texas Bar, the College of the State Bar of Texas, and the Texas Bar Foundation. Her practice for the City focuses on Open Government, Ethics, Campaign Finance and Elections, City Council, the City Charter, boards and commissions, records retention and destruction, emergency and disaster management, municipal court, legislative matters, and special projects. In December, she will celebrate her 29th year with the Office of the City Attorney.

Camila Kunau

Assistant City Attorney for the City of San Antonio

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Brenda Frinks

President at Sun City Events & Entertainment

Sister Cities International Leadership Academy
Wednesday, 29 May
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Brenda Frinks is an impressive individual who has made significant contributions to various causes. She has served in several leadership positions, including as Vice President of Florida Sister Cities International and the Africa Summit (Cape Town) Special Events Chair. Ms. Frinks was also the former President of Jacksonville Sister Cities Association, where she served for over 25 years, coordinating relationships between Jacksonville and international cities in eight different countries. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the organization, she was named Sister Cities International’s (SCI) Volunteer of the Year for 2022-23.

Ms. Frinks serves as a consultant to businesses, municipalities, and NGOs, and has several certifications in Business Development, Hospitality, Healthcare, and Youth Development.

Brenda Frinks

President at Sun City Events & Entertainment

Sister Cities International Leadership Academy
Wednesday, 29 May
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Ms. Frinks serves as a consultant to businesses, municipalities, and NGOs, and has several certifications in Business Development, Hospitality, Healthcare, and Youth Development.

Betsabé Rocha Nieto

Interim Mayor of the City of Monterrey

Sports Diplomacy Across the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 AM

Master in Regulation with Focus on Energy and Master in Administration with Specialization in International Business from Universidad Regiomontana (2012). Bachelor of International Business from Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM, 2004). She has more than 15 years of experience in the Public and Private Administration in matters of economic development.

She served as General Director of the Electrical Appliances Cluster in Nuevo Leon.

In the Economic Development Secretariat of the Government of the State of Nuevo Leon, she served as Technical Secretary, Director of Productive Chains, Coordinator of Foreign Investment and Head of Supplier Analysis of the Business Linkage Center.

From October 2021 to February 2024, she served as the Secretary of Economic Development of the City of Monterrey. Most recently, she was named Interim Mayor of the City of Monterrey.

Commitment to Monterrey

Promote initiatives for the development of economic vocations with a higher added value, in order to successfully compete in the global economy and provide the best opportunities for the citizens of Monterrey.
Support the efforts of the entrepreneurs in Monterrey through actions that promote the development of micro, small, medium and large companies in the city.
Implement a comprehensive training and employment promotion program.
Integrate the city’s touristic and cultural promotion efforts under the same governing concept in order to promote urban recovery and the reactivation of local tourism.
Provide comprehensive support to entrepreneurs of technology-based projects to promote the necessary conditions for the generation of a unicorn Project in Monterrey.

Betsabé Rocha Nieto

Interim Mayor of the City of Monterrey

Sports Diplomacy Across the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 AM

She served as General Director of the Electrical Appliances Cluster in Nuevo Leon.

From October 2021 to February 2024, she served as the Secretary of Economic Development of the City of Monterrey. Most recently, she was named Interim Mayor of the City of Monterrey.

Commitment to Monterrey

Promote initiatives for the development of economic vocations with a higher added value, in order to successfully compete in the global economy and provide the best opportunities for the citizens of Monterrey.
Support the efforts of the entrepreneurs in Monterrey through actions that promote the development of micro, small, medium and large companies in the city.
Implement a comprehensive training and employment promotion program.
Integrate the city’s touristic and cultural promotion efforts under the same governing concept in order to promote urban recovery and the reactivation of local tourism.
Provide comprehensive support to entrepreneurs of technology-based projects to promote the necessary conditions for the generation of a unicorn Project in Monterrey.

Ambassador James Creagan

Former US Ambassador to Honduras & Ambassador in Residence, University of the Incarnate Word 4. Martha V

Leveraging the Diplomatic Corps to Support Sister City Engagement
Friday, 31 May
1:30 PM to 2:45 AM

Serving under nine U.S. presidents, Ambassador Creagan began his career at the Agency for International Development under President Kennedy and was appointed to the Foreign Service by President Lyndon B. Johnson. During a diplomatic career spanning three decades, he held positions as Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Ambassador to Italy and, separately, the Holy See; Consul General in Sao Paulo, Brazil; Political Counselor in Brazil and Portugal; U.S. Consul in Naples, Italy; political officer in U.S. Embassies in Lima, Mexico City, San Salvador and Rome. He was named U.S. Ambassador to Honduras by President Clinton in 1996. In 2009, under President Obama, Ambassador Creagan served as Chargé d’Affaires to Bolivia and Chief of the US Mission there. He was an International Observer for presidential elections in Honduras.

Creagan retired from the Foreign Service in 1999, and became president of John Cabot University in Rome, Italy. Under his leadership the university more than doubled its enrollment, and it achieved American accreditation. In August 2005, he was named President Emeritus. Creagan was Guest Scholar at the Kellogg Institute, University of Notre Dame in 2005. In 2006 Ambassador Creagan joined the University of the Incarnate Word as Ambassador in Residence and Professor. In 2016, Ambassador Creagan was named Professor of International Diplomacy at St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas. In 2022 Creagan returned to the University of the Incarnate Word as Ambassador in Residence, professor and Fellow of the Liza and Jack Lewis Center of the Americas.

Creagan’s awards include Honorary Citizen of Honduras, Boston Archdiocese’s Caritas Christi Award for Humanitarian Service, Cavalier of the Order of St. Gregory from the Holy See and the Italian Order of Merit, Commendatore, along with numerous U.S. government awards.

Ambassador Creagan is a member of the Cosmos Club of Washington, D.C. He is a Member of the Board of the San Antonio World Affairs Council, and member of the Latin American Advisory Council of the University of Notre Dame. He is on the board of the Texas Water Mission and the Advisory Council of the US Global Leadership Coalition. He is also on the board of the San Antonio Council for International Visitors. He works with the Fulbright Association of San Antonio. Creagan has been a Trustee of Hiram College, Ohio and has given the Commencement addresses at Hiram and Wesley Colleges.

Ambassador Creagan graduated from the University of Notre Dame and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. He has been professor at Texas A&M as well as UIW and St. Mary’s Universities.

Ambassador Creagan speaks Spanish, Portuguese and Italian.

Ambassador James Creagan

Former US Ambassador to Honduras & Ambassador in Residence, University of the Incarnate Word 4. Martha V

Leveraging the Diplomatic Corps to Support Sister City Engagement
Friday, 31 May
1:30 PM to 2:45 AM

Ambassador Creagan graduated from the University of Notre Dame and holds a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. He has been professor at Texas A&M as well as UIW and St. Mary’s Universities.

Ambassador Creagan speaks Spanish, Portuguese and Italian.

Alexa Storzinger

Mayor of North Miami

High Level Mayoral Dialogue - Urban Horizons: Mayor’s Perspectives on Local Priorities and Global Challenges
Thursday, 30 May
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

Mayor Alix Desulme is a dynamic leader whose dedication to community service shines brightly in every aspect of his public service career. With a heart for giving back, he tirelessly champions the needs of North Miami and South Florida residents, consistently going above and beyond to make a positive impact.

As a lifelong educator, Mayor Desulme has touched the lives of countless students, from at-risk youth to gifted learners, with his unwavering commitment to their growth and success. His entrepreneurial spirit as a small business owner further demonstrates his versatility and drive for
excellence.

In 2009, Mayor Desulme made history as North Miami’s first Black City Clerk and the youngest Haitian American to hold such a position in the United States. His trailblazing journey continued in 2015 when he was elected to the North Miami City Council, representing District 4. His leadership was further recognized in 2016 when he became the youngest Vice-Mayor, and in 2019, he was re-elected with an overwhelming 65% of the vote. During his tenure as Vice Mayor, Mayor Desulme spearheaded numerous community-enrichment initiatives, including the Golden Silver Senior Program, which provides a nurturing environment for seniors to thrive. His “Peoples’ Councilman” moniker is a testament to his deep connection with the community, exemplified by his innovative “Let’s Eat Healthy” initiative, which ensures residents have access to fresh, nutritious food.

Mayor Desulme’s advocacy for creating the City’s first Housing and Social Services Department is a monumental achievement. Since its inception, the department has been instrumental in fostering a vibrant urban community by providing essential housing and social services to those
in need.

As an educator, Mayor Desulme’s commitment to youth development is unwavering. He founded the NoMi Leaders in Training Program (L.I.T.) to prepare the next generation of public servants and ensure a seamless transition into the City’s Youth Opportunity Board (YOB) Summer Internship Program.

Mayor Alix Desulme

Mayor of North Miami

High Level Mayoral Dialogue - Urban Horizons: Mayor’s Perspectives on Local Priorities and Global Challenges
Thursday, 30 May
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

Alexa Storzinger

International Economic Development Manager, City of San Antonio

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Alfred Breuer focuses on expanding international relationships, building collaboration across San Antonio’s economic development community, and foreign direct investment. Mr. Breuer engages international companies who are looking to expand their presence in the city and supports San Antonio companies expand through exports.

Prior to join the City of San Antonio, Mr. Breuer lead outreach efforts for the San Antonio and Corpus Christi regions for the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, San Antonio Branch. In his role, he engaged with stakeholders to discuss current economic challenges and opportunities in the community and increase awareness of the mission of the Federal Reserve. He was also tasked with identifying emerging economic challenges and opportunities and gathering information to support monetary policymaking and strategic planning efforts.

Mr. Breuer has also worked for a global top 10 public relations firm, Hill+Knowlton Strategies, and served as legislative director for a Texas State Representative. In addition, he served as Deputy Director for International Affairs for an agricultural trade association in Washington, DC where he focused on the organization’s trade policy program. Throughout his career he has worked closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including Fortune 500 companies, national trade associations and U.S. and foreign public officials to build strong mutually beneficial relationships.

He holds a BA from Austin College, an MA in international commerce and policy from George Mason University and an MBA from the Instituto Panamericano de Alta Dirección de Empresa (IPADE) in Mexico City.

Alfred Breuer

International Economic Development Manager, City of San Antonio, Global Engagement Division, Economic Development Department, City of San Antonio

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Alexa Storzinger

Program Coordinator at Sister Cities International Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Sister Cities International Leadership Academy
Wednesday, 29 May
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Alexa Storzinger serves as the Program Coordinator at Sister Cities International Headquarters in Washington, D.C., where she dedicates herself to organizing impactful events and initiatives that advance the organization’s mission of fostering global connections and local prosperity. Her responsibilities include overseeing the successful execution of Sister Cities International’s signature events like the Young Artists and Authors Showcase and Youth Leadership Summit.

Alexa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies from American University, with a concentration in Environmental Sustainability and Global Health, complemented by a Minor in Communication Studies. Her academic journey was enriched by immersive experiences in Brussels, Belgium, and Nairobi, Kenya, where she deepened her commitment to community-based engagement and international relations.

Alexa finds joy in exploring new destinations, immersing herself in nature, and cherishing moments with loved ones.

Alexa Storzinger

Program Coordinator at Sister Cities International Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Sister Cities International Leadership Academy
Wednesday, 29 May
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Alexa finds joy in exploring new destinations, immersing herself in nature, and cherishing moments with loved ones.

Liz Rodrigues

Director of Governance and International Relations of the Londrina City Hall

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Liz Rodrigues is an Administrator, graduated from the University of Northern Paraná State – UNOPAR in 2003, MBA in Administration and Marketing completed in 2009, MBA in Innovation in Public Administration completed in 2021, Postgraduate in Public Governance and Strategic Planning (in progress until Dec/2024), all the three at the International University Center – Uninter.

Liz has more than 20 years of experience working as an Administrator, as well as in the National and International Commercial area in private organizations. In 2014 she was admitted to public service after passing a public examination. She works as an Administrator at Londrina City Hall, with experience in Program and Project management, team leadership and technical assessor. Currently at City Hall, she works as Director of Governance and International Relations, coordinating the Public Governance Police, management of Strategic Projects, institutional and international relations. She represents the Municipality in programs and projects of the civil society organizations, such as Industrial and Commerce Association, Londrina Development Forum, SEBRAE – Brazilian Support Service for Small Businesses, and others. As International Relations representative, she also manage the relationship with the Sister Cities of Londrina and others agreements with different nations.

Eventually she is supervisor for students in the Summer Fellowship Program, in partnership between the Londrina City Hall and International Universities. In 2021 it was two students from the University of Oxford (online) and in 2022 three students from Columbia University (one online and two in person). In 2024, a process is underway with Stanford University.

Liz Rodrigues

Director of Governance and International Relations of the Londrina City Hall

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Dinah McDougall

Senior Commercial Officer, South Texas Regional Office, U.S. Commercial Service

Leveraging the Diplomatic Corps to Support Sister City Engagement
Friday, 31 May
1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Ms. Dinah McDougall is a Commercial Officer with the U.S. Commercial Service San Antonio office since January 2024, serving the Texas Hill Country area. She previously served as the Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Santiago Chile (2020-2023), and as a Commercial Officer in New Delhi, India (2016-2020), Moscow, Russia (2013-2016), Mexico City, Mexico (2009-2012) and Brasilia, Brazil (2005-2007). She was also assigned as the Director of the U.S. Export Assistance Center in McAllen, Texas (2007-2009), where she contributed to the U.S.-Mexico Border Initiative.

Ms. McDougall has served with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration since 1998. Prior to entering the U.S. Commercial Service, she served as the Desk Officer for Chile and Brazil, working on bilateral and multilateral trade policy issues. She helped negotiate the market access and rules of origin chapters of the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement, and counseled U.S. industry on the provisions regarding origin requirements, tariff schedules and other benefits. In 2003, she served a temporary assignment with the Office of the United States Trade Representative to assist in the ratification and implementation of the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement.

Ms. McDougall is fluent in Spanish and hails from Kerrville, Texas. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Texas at Austin, and she served a Fulbright fellowship in Mexico City (1997-98). She lives in Boerne with her daughter, who is in elementary school.

Dinah McDougall

Senior Commercial Officer, South Texas Regional Office, U.S. Commercial Service

Leveraging the Diplomatic Corps to Support Sister City Engagement
Friday, 31 May
1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Kendee Yamaguchi

Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Field at the International Trade Administration

How to Leverage the US Commercial Service in Sister City Relationships for Business Development
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

Kendee Yamaguchi was appointed by President Biden to serve as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Field at the International Trade Administration. In this role, she oversees nearly 300 trade professionals in more than 100 U.S. cities. She helps U.S. businesses export their goods and services, and attracts foreign direct investment to grow jobs within the United States.

Yamaguchi has more than 20 years in executive management working closely with local, state, and national government leaders, businesses, and investors across the globe to promote job creation, public investment, and cultural diversity. She has deep experience within the aerospace, technology, agriculture, energy, and life sciences sectors of the economy. Most recently, she served as Deputy Mayor of Seattle, one of the largest cities in the nation, where her primary responsibilities included coordinating City priorities on business, cultural initiatives, and external relations.

During the Clinton Administration, she held roles managing events and in management. This includes her work on the Executive Order creating the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, an effort to advise the President on ways the public, private and non-profit sectors can work together to advance opportunity, justice, and equity. Yamaguchi earned her bachelor’s degree from American University and law degree from Seattle University.

Kendee Yamaguchi

Deputy Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Field at the International Trade Administration

How to Leverage the US Commercial Service in Sister City Relationships for Business Development
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

Carlo Capua

Chief of Strategy and Innovation for the City of Fort Worth

Leveraging the Diplomatic Corps to support sister city engagement
Friday, 31 May
1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Carlo Capua is Chief of Strategy and Innovation for the City of Fort Worth, the fastest-growing city in the U.S. He is tasked with managing special projects, global affairs, and large sporting events like the CrossFit Games and the FIFA World Cup.

As one of Fort Worth’s first social entrepreneurs, Carlo co-founded Z’s Café, creating 165 jobs for low- income men and women over 13 years and feeding 150,000 people during the COVID pandemic. In 2018, he was named “Businessman of the Year” by the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

After earning a business degree from Texas Christian University in 2000, Carlo spent 7 years teaching English in Fort Worth’s Sister Cities in Japan and Mexico, and graduated from Harvard University with his master’s in International Relations in 2022. He is past president of the Rotary Club of Fort Worth and chair-elect of the national board for Sister Cities International.

A sought-after speaker and emcee, Carlo has started and sold multiple businesses. An avid athlete, he has finished 18 marathons (one in North Korea!) and an Ironman Triathlon, and speaks Spanish and Japanese.

Carlo Capua

Chief of Strategy and Innovation for the City of Fort Worth

Leveraging the Diplomatic Corps to support sister city engagement
Friday, 31 May
1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert III

Chairman of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners

High Level Mayoral Dialogue “Urban Horizons: Mayors' Perspectives on Local Priorities and Global Challenges”
International Trade and Investment in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

remains committed to pouring into the community that helped groom him into the public figure he is today. Chairman Gilbert is a proud graduate of Florida A&M University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. Upon graduating, he enrolled in law school at St. Thomas University School of Law. He later transferred to the University of Miami School of Law where he held a senate position with the Student Bar Association and was a National Board Member of the Black Law Student Association among other accolades. Upon successfully earning his Juris Doctorate with honors, Chairman Gilbert knew his calling was public service. Chairman Gilbert is a seasoned attorney, licensed to practice law in the State of Florida; the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida; and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, Federal District Court.

With 20 years of legal experience, Chairman Gilbert’s vast knowledge extends to real estate law, municipal law, constitutional law, civil rights law and employment law. Throughout his tenure as a practicing attorney, he gained extensive experience working as a public policy maker in areas of education, criminal justice, and urban and economic development. Chairman Gilbert has served as an Adjunct Professor at Miami Dade College, teaching courses in criminology, criminal law, constitutional law, street law, drugs and violence, computer crimes and judicial policy.

In 2012, Chairman Gilbert reached what was then the pinnacle of his career when he was elected mayor of his hometown, Miami Gardens. During his tenure, he provided leadership to City Council and city employees, increased corporate expansion and was the driving force behind the exponential growth and development of new businesses within Miami Gardens. His efforts led to additional job opportunities for local residents and pumped revenue back into his beloved city. As recognition of the city’s tremendous growth, Miami Gardens was awarded All-America City in 2020, solidifying Chairman Gilbert’s city as a tri-county economic contender. Chairman Gilbert’s civic activities extended outside of Miami-Dade County as he is a former President of the African American Mayors Association and held a seat on the Board of Directors of the Florida League of Mayors, National League of Cities, U.S. Conference of Mayors Advisory Board, as well as President of the Miami-Dade County League of Cities.

His commitment to leadership has been continually recognized by his peers and he has been selected as Chairman of the International Trade Consortium (ITC), Vice-Chair of Miami-Dade County Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) and Chair of Southeast Florida Transportation Council (SEFTC), initiatives and organizations the commissioner is dedicated to advancing.

On December 6, 2022, he was unanimously elected to serve as Chairman of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners. He is the first District 1 Commissioner to serve as Chairman since the inception of single member districts. Chairman Gilbert is a proud member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and is dedicated to their cardinal principles of manhood, scholarship, perseverance and uplift.

Chairman Gilbert is also a member of Leadership Florida and a Miami Fellows, Class V. He continues to be an advocate for youth and residents he represents as Miami-Dade County Commissioner District 1.

Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert III

Chairman of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners

High Level Mayoral Dialogue “Urban Horizons: Mayors' Perspectives on Local Priorities and Global Challenges”
International Trade and Investment in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Remains committed to pouring into the community that helped groom him into the public figure he is today. Chairman Gilbert is a proud graduate of Florida A&M University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. Upon graduating, he enrolled in law school at St. Thomas University School of Law. He later transferred to the University of Miami School of Law where he held a senate position with the Student Bar Association and was a National Board Member of the Black Law Student Association among other accolades. Upon successfully earning his Juris Doctorate with honors, Chairman Gilbert knew his calling was public service. Chairman Gilbert is a seasoned attorney, licensed to practice law in the State of Florida; the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida; and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, Federal District Court.

Chelsea Collier

Founder of Digi.City

People Centered Smart Cities across the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Chelsea Collier explores how under-represented groups can co-create smart(er) cities and communities. She is the founder of Digi.City, a forum for smart cities and the social good and serves as the Editor-at-Large for Smart Cities Connect. She is pursuing her PhD at the School of Information (iSchool) at the University of Texas at Austin and a Graduate Research Assistant for Good Systems, an interdisciplinary team dedicated to the ethical design and application of AI to benefit society. She is also an NRT NSF Fellow in the Ethical AI Portfolio Program.

Chelsea is a University of Manchester (UK) Simon Industrial & Professional Fellow (2019), a Marshall Memorial Fellow (2018) and an Eisenhower Fellow (2016). She is also the co-author of the Smart Cities Playbook and the creator of the Digi.City Smart(er) Cities Toolkit. Her work has been featured in national publications including Governing Magazine, Everything You Need to Know to Start and Grow Your Business , Venture Beat and the Chicago Tribune. Her previous experience in social enterprise, tech entrepreneurship, economic development and state government inform her cross sector approach.

Chelsea Collier

Founder of Digi.City

People Centered Smart Cities across the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Sunchai Khemalaap

Deputy Chief Security Officer and Alamo Regional Security Operation Center (ARSOC), City of San Antonio, Texas

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Sunny have been with the City of San Antonio since 11 September 2017. He is a retired Naval Officer with over 21 years of service. His military services include Enlisted as Aviation Structural Mechanics (Airframes). As Officer, Gunnery Officer aboard USS ARKANSAS, the Auxiliary Engineering Officer on USS NIMITZ, IT Manager at Naval Ocean Processing Facility (NOPF) Whidbey Island, Operations Officer and Command Security Manager aboard USS Rodney M. Davis, Chief Staff Officer Mine Counter-Measures Division Three One for Mine Clearance Operations of the Persian Gulf for OEF/OIF, lastly as Executive Officer of Naval Reserve Center Pacific Northwest.  After retirement Sunny worked as a Special Agent with Federal Investigative Services for the Office of Personnel Management before moving to San Antonio to work for Department of Veterans Affairs as a Health Services Research Manager and then for the Foundation for Advancing Veterans Health Research (FAVHR). With over 30 years of Information Technology and Cybersecurity experience in various capacity with the Navy, public and private sector, Sunny decided to fully dedicate his focus and passion in Cybersecurity by joining the City of San Antonio IT Security team.  Some of his other interests and hobbies include woodworking, astronomy/astrophotography, photography, PC building and IT “exploring”, and DIY’er.

He is a graduate of Oregon State University with degrees in Computer Science and Business Administration.

Sunchai Khemalaap

Deputy Chief Security Officer and Alamo Regional Security Operation Center (ARSOC), City of San Antonio, Texas

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

He is a graduate of Oregon State University with degrees in Computer Science and Business Administration.

Herbert Espinoza

Consul General of Costa Rica

Leveraging the Diplomatic Corps to Support Sister City Engagement
Friday, 31 May
1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Mr. Espinoza is a career diplomat with 20 years of experience in the Costa Rican Foreign Service. He has a law degree from the Law Faculty of the University of Costa Rica (UCR), the most prestigious Law Faculty in his country and a Master degree on Foreign Affairs and International Law from the Complutense University of Madrid.

He was Consul General of Costa Rica in Austria, Alternate Representative of Costa Rica to the International Organizations in Vienna, Head of International Cooperation of Costa Rica with the European Union, Political Counselor at the Embassy of Costa Rica in Guatemala and Officer at the Human Rights and the Americas Departments of the Costa Rican Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Espinoza worked in the private sector as a legal consultant at KPMG Costa Rica, before joining the Costa Rican Foreign Service.

Mr. Espinoza was appointed Consul General of Costa Rica in Houston in 2018 and was designated as Dean of the Consular Corps in Houston in March 2023. He is married and has 2 sons.

Herbert Espinoza

Consul General of Costa Rica

Leveraging the Diplomatic Corps to Support Sister City Engagement
Friday, 31 May
1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Mr. Espinoza worked in the private sector as a legal consultant at KPMG Costa Rica, before joining the Costa Rican Foreign Service.

Mr. Espinoza was appointed Consul General of Costa Rica in Houston in 2018 and was designated as Dean of the Consular Corps in Houston in March 2023. He is married and has 2 sons.

Cintia Smith

Secretary of Innovation and Open Government of the Government of Monterrey

People Centered Smart Cities Across the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Dr. Cintia Smith is the Secretary of Innovation and Open Government of the Government of Monterrey.

She holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy with a focus on Political Science from the Autonomous University of Nuevo León, Mexico; a Master’s degree in Communication Sciences from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, Mexico; and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the Catholic University of Córdoba, Argentina.

She is the author and co-author of publications on political communication and public policy in specialized journals from Mexico, Spain, and Argentina.

In 2016, she was awarded the UANL 2016 Research Prize (Social Sciences).

Currently, from her position as Secretary of Innovation and Open Government of the Municipality of Monterrey, she leads the implementation of open and digital government practices at the local level. Among the strategic projects of her administration, highlights include end-to-end digitization of procedures and services, the management and exchange system of geospatial data, the open data system, participatory budgeting, citizen councils on the subject, and the construction of the Local Open Government Action Plan in partnership with the Government of the State of
Nuevo León. She is also a Member of the Government Advisory Council of the Open Wallet Foundation. In the academic field, during the current year, she has completed high-level programs, such as the “Implementing Public Policy Executive Program” at the Harvard Kennedy School and the “Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative.” These achievements underscore her commitment to excellence and continuous education to lead innovative initiatives in the public sphere.

Cintia Smith

Secretary of Innovation and Open Government of the Government of Monterrey

People Centered Smart Cities Across the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Dr. Cintia Smith is the Secretary of Innovation and Open Government of the Government of Monterrey.

She is the author and co-author of publications on political communication and public policy in specialized journals from Mexico, Spain, and Argentina.

In 2016, she was awarded the UANL 2016 Research Prize (Social Sciences).

David West

Mayor of Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Compassionate Americas
Friday, 31 May
1:30 PM to 2:45 AM

David West has served the residents of Richmond Hill since 2013, first as Ward 4 Councilor until 2022 at which time he was elected as Mayor in a by-election and re-elected in October 2022. His interest in the City of Richmond Hill and commitment to the community has been demonstrated throughout his more than three decades as a resident, during which time he has been a local business owner and has demonstrated leadership through various volunteer community positions.

As Mayor, during his 2022-2026 term David represents Richmond Hill Council on numerous committee including Chair of the Affordable Housing Strategy Implementation Committee (AHSIC), Vice-Chair of the Budget Committee of the Whole (BCW), member of the Audit Committee, Economic Development Committee (EDC) and Heritage Centre Advisory Committee (HCAC).

As a member of Regional Council he is Chair of the York Region Housing Affordability Task Force, and sits on the Committees for Public Works – Environmental Services, York Region Rapid Transit Corporation, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and TRCA’s Partners in Project Green Executive Management Steering Committee.

A husband and father, David has called Richmond Hill home for more than 30 years. He is a passionate patron of the visual arts. As lifelong learner, David enjoys reading on a wide range of topics and he appreciates any opportunity to be in the outdoors. Watch for him at community events, he loves to meet and speak with Richmond Hill constituents.

David West

Mayor of Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Compassionate Americas
Friday, 31 May
1:30 PM to 2:45 AM

Eva A. Millona

Assistant Secretary for Partnership and Engagement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, USA

Immigration in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 aM to 12:00 AM

Eva A. Millona is currently serving as the chief of the inaugural Office of Citizenship, Partnership and Engagement(OCPE) at USCIS in the Department of Homeland Security. Prior to this, she served as the DHS Assistant Secretary for Partnership and Engagement. In that role, she served as the Secretary’s primary advisor on the impact of the Department’s policies, regulations, processes, and actions on state, local, tribal, territorial (SLTT) governments, SLTT elected officials, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and the academic community, ensuring a unified approach to external engagement.

Before joining DHS, Ms. Millona was president and chief executive officer of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) for over 13 years. MIRA is the largest organization in New England promoting and enhancing integration for new Americans. In 2010, she co-founded the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA), a national organization focused on immigrant integration at the local, state, and federal levels, and served as a co-chair for 11 years. She co-founded and co-chaired the Massachusetts Business Immigration Coalition and chaired the 2020 U.S. Census Statewide Complete Count Committee in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

A native of Albania, Ms. Millona practiced civil and criminal law before becoming the youngest district judge ever appointed to Tirana’s District Court, where she served from 1989 to1992. After immigrating to the United States, she directed the refugee resettlement program in central Massachusetts. She served on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights for over 7 years, served as the co-chair of the Massachusetts Governor’s Advisory Council for Refugees and Immigrants under four governors, served on the Attorney General’s Council for New Americans, and the Advisory Board for the Boston Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement. Ms. Millona taught global policy as an adjunct professor of practice at Boston College School of Social Work.

Ms. Millona has received numerous awards for her leadership and impact, including the prestigious USCIS Outstanding American by Choice Award in 2009. She is a graduate of Clark University where she obtained a Master of Arts in political science and holds a law degree from the University of Tirana.

Eva A. Millona

Assistant Secretary for Partnership and Engagement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, USA

Immigration in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 aM to 12:00 AM

Jenna Saucedo

President & CEO of greater: SATX

Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Jenna Saucedo-Herrera is the President & CEO of greater: SATX, a regional economic partnership charged with growing and diversifying the eight county San Antonio-New Braunfels MSA.

In this role, Jenna and her team work closely with the regional businesses and public sector partners to recruit new companies, foster global business relationships, help local companies grow and build the local talent pipeline.

During her tenure at the helm of San Antonio’s economic development team, greater:SATX has secured over thirty-two thousand new jobs and $7.3 billion in capital investment for the region through recruitment and expansion projects that include: JCB, Ernst & Young, Victory Capital, Navistar, and Aisin.

Jenna has received accolades including the “2015 Women in Leadership Award” and the “2017 40 Under 40: Woman of the Year Award” from the San Antonio Business Journal, acknowledgment by the San Antonio Express-News in their “2016 Women Who Run San Antonio” feature, and recognition in Culturemap’s “Top Texans Under 30”.

She is an alumna of St. Mary’s University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing Management. She is also a member of the Texas Women’s Forum, the Texas Lyceum, and the International Women’s Forum.

Jenna also serves on several community boards and councils including Visit San Antonio (2022 Chair), BioBridge Global, San Antonio Medical Foundation, UP Partnership, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) Advisory Trustee, Texas Association of Business (TAB), and Texas Biomed.

Jenna Saucedo

President & CEO of greater: SATX

Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Jenna Saucedo-Herrera is the President & CEO of greater: SATX, a regional economic partnership charged with growing and diversifying the eight county San Antonio-New Braunfels MSA.

José Luis Falconi

Assistant Professor of Art and Human Rights at the University of Connecticut

Transformative Impact of Arts in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 PM

Born in Lima (1973), José Luis Falconi is Assistant Professor of Art and Human Rights at the University of Connecticut. He is also the President of Cultural Agents, Inc, an NGO which aims to showcase, study and promote the recognition of the arts as resources for positive change, and its efficacy in social interventions.

He received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 2010. From 2001 to 2011 he was Art Forum Curator at the David Rockefeller for Latin American Studies at Harvard University, curating more than thirty shows of cutting-edge Latino and Latin American artists in an academic setting.

Besides UCONN, he has taught in the United States at Brandeis University, and Boston University. In Latin America, he has been “Bicentennial” Visiting Professor of Aesthetics at the University of Chile (Santiago de Chile, 2012 and 2019), “International Professor” at the National University of Colombia (Bogotá, 2013), Visiting Professor at the Center for Latin American Studies “Manuel Galich” at the Universidad San Carlos of Guatemala (2016) and Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Costa Rica (2017).

His latest academic publication, Pre-Text International (2023), co-edited with Doris Sommer, has just been released by Harvard University Press.

José Luis Falconi

Assistant Professor of Art and Human Rights at the University of Connecticut

Transformative Impact of Arts in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 PM

His latest academic publication, Pre-Text International (2023), co-edited with Doris Sommer, has just been released by Harvard University Press.

Marisa Calder

Director of Operations for Students of Service (SOS)

Sister Cities International Leadership Academy
Wednesday, 29 May
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Marisa Calder is the Director of Operations for Students of Service (SOS), a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to developing global citizenship in youth through local service-learning and meaningful travel abroad experiences. She leverages her professional background in international education, as well as her own high school study abroad experience as a Rotary Youth Exchange student in Hungary, to manage SOS’s programs, run day-to-day operations, and cultivate new partnerships.

Marisa attended Trinity University, where she majored in Political Science and Chinese Language and participated in the State Department’s Critical Language Scholarship Program. She went on to earn her Master’s degree in Global Policy Studies from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin with a focus on Nonprofit Management. Previously she served as a Consular Fellow at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and held roles in international student affairs and study abroad at ISEP Study Abroad, University of Texas at Austin, and the University of the Incarnate Word.

Marisa Calder

Director of Operations for Students of Service (SOS)

Sister Cities International Leadership Academy
Wednesday, 29 May
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Mayor Jim Ross

Mayor of Arlington

Sports Diplomacy Across the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

Jim Ross was elected to the office of Mayor at the City of Arlington in June 2021. Jim has spent decades serving his community and his country. As a proud resident of Arlington for nearly forty years, he has witnessed the growth, and growing pains, this community has endured.

From 1979 to 1983, Jim served this country as a United States Marine. With assignments at home and abroad, he served the Marines in numerous capacities. Having received his Honorable Discharge in 1983, Jim moved to Texas where he was soon hired by the Arlington Police Department.

During his thirteen-year career as a Police Officer, Jim was a member of Arlington’s first full time Special Operations Unit (SWAT), taught self-defense and physical fitness at the police academy and spent over six years investigating illegal narcotics trafficking, both locally and with the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force. His commendations and accomplishments as a Marine and police officer are numerous.

In 1996, Jim decided to make a career change and go to law school, which he completed in twenty-eight months. He studied and passed the State of Texas Bar exam on his first attempt and was licensed as an attorney in May 1999. During his first ten years of practice, Jim represented thousands of clients while working environmental exposure cases for some of the country’s most prestigious law firms. In 2009, Jim left the larger firms to pursue private practice and established The Jim Ross Law Group, P.C.

In November 2017, Jim opened the Mercury Chophouse – Arlington, a fine dining steakhouse. In 2023, he opened the Hearsay Arlington lounge and restaurant in Choctaw Stadium.

As an active and proud resident of Arlington, Jim has served on the board of directors for the Arlington Police Foundation, the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, the Margarita Society, Special Olympics, and the American Heart Association. As Mayor, he serves on the boards of the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, Gene and Jerry Jones Family Arlington Youth Foundation, Texas Municipal League, and National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation; as a member of the Tarrant County Workforce Governing Board, North Central Texas Council of Governments’ Regional Transportation Council, Tarrant Regional Transportation Council, and Downtown Arlington Management Corporation; and is the co-chair of the US Conference of Mayors’ Infrastructure Law Implementation Task Force and the Veterans Affairs Task Force.

More than a passionate lawyer, businessman, and advocate for all, Jim is a family man with four children and five grandchildren.

Mayor Jim Ross

Mayor of Arlington

Sports Diplomacy Across the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

In November 2017, Jim opened the Mercury Chophouse – Arlington, a fine dining steakhouse. In 2023, he opened the Hearsay Arlington lounge and restaurant in Choctaw Stadium.

More than a passionate lawyer, businessman, and advocate for all, Jim is a family man with four children and five grandchildren.

Michael Orlove

Director of State, Regional & Local Partnerships

Transformative Impact of Arts in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Michael Orlove currently serves as the Director of State, Regional & Local Partnerships. In that capacity, Orlove provides direction concerning the National Endowment for the Arts funding and other assistance to the 56 state and jurisdictional arts agencies, the six regional arts agencies, and local arts agencies across the country. Additionally, Orlove manages the agency’s international activities. He was the Agency’s director of Artist Communities and Presenting & Multidisciplinary Works from 2012 to 2019.  Born and raised in Chicago, Orlove spent 20 years as senior program director for the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs. His tenure with the department led to nearly two decades of innovation, creativity, and passion for public service with the City of Chicago. Michael has been an invited guest speaker and panelist at numerous national and international conferences and convenings.  Honors include being named one of the ‘Chicagoans of the Year’ in music by the Chicago Tribune in both 1999 and 2009, as well as one of Chicago’s ‘Global Visionaries’ by Chicago Public Radio WBEZ and the Chicago Matters: Beyond Burnham series. As a testament to his international expertise, Orlove was named one of the ‘Seven Samurai’ at the prestigious WOMEX (World Music Expo) 2009 Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark and, in 2018, was given the inaugural GlobalFEST ‘Impact Award’ for outstanding commitment to the world music field.  He recently completed the DeVos Global Arts Management Fellowship (2018-2022).

Michael Orlove

Director of State, Regional & Local Partnerships

Transformative Impact of Arts in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Commissioner Laura Dominguez

Miami Beach City Commissioner

Resilience and Sustainability in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Laura was born in Miami-Dade County and resides in Miami Beach. She attended local schools and graduated from the University of Miami and Miami-Dade College. She was elected Commissioner in December 2022 when she ran in her late partner’s seat to complete his term. Laura is a business professional who spent her corporate career in strategic, marketing, and account development roles in the tourism industry before launching her digital marketing firm. As Commissioner, she recently sponsored to bring the management of the Sister Cities program back to Miami Beach and helped host one of their Sister Cities including resiliency focused meetings.

Commissioner Laura Dominguez

Miami Beach City Commissioner

Resilience and Sustainability in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Lynare Robbins

Owner and Operator of Culture Rise Travel Design

Sister Cities Spotlight
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

Lynare Robbins brings a diverse background in tourism, international trade, economic development, and leadership. Drawing from her extensive experience, she is steadfast in her commitment to promoting education, driving positive change, and fostering national and international partnerships to unite communities. Lynare excels in collaborating with government, non-profit organizations, businesses, and international trade groups to promote inclusive trade and economic partnerships. As the Owner and Operator of Culture Rise Travel Design, Lynare specializes in crafting bespoke travel experiences. Previously, Lynare served as Director of the Miami Chapter at Global Chamber, spearheading initiatives to foster international business connections within a global network of 525 metropolitan cities. She also led successful trade missions to various cities focusing on key industries such as life sciences, manufacturing, and technology. In her role as Operations Director at the British American Business Council, Lynare delivered top-notch member relations services and organized engaging events and educational opportunities for members and the public. She also supported virtual and inbound trade missions, further enhancing bilateral trade relations. Additionally, Lynare contributed to the international community through her work with Global Ties Miami, supporting the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) by working with cultural exchanges and fostering positive relationships between international visitors and the Miami community. Lynare’s dedication to international relations and conflict resolution is emphasized by her academic background, which includes a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and master’s degrees in international relations & Conflict Resolution and Human Behavior. In addition to her professional pursuits, Lynare is a veteran of the United States Navy and actively volunteers, serving as an appointee representing District 5 on the Miami-Dade County International Trade Consortium. She also sits on the Florida Advisory Committee for the US Global Leadership Coalition and the Board of Directors for Sister Cities International. She has been recognized for her contributions to the Miami community, receiving the 2022 International Women’s Day Award from the World Trade Center Miami.

Lynare Robbins

Member and Board of Directors, Sister Cities International, USA

Moderator-Sister Cities Spotlight
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

Lynare Robbins has a diverse background spanning tourism, international trade, economic development, and leadership. She is dedicated to promoting education, driving positive outcomes and cultivating national and international partnerships to unite communities. She is the Owner and Operator of Culture Rise Travel Design and specializes in designing bespoke travel experiences. With her experience as an international business consultant, Lynare has worked with various organizations, such as the British American Business Council of Miami, and the UK Ministry of Justice, to spearhead impactful initiatives, compelling events and educational opportunities for both members and the public. She has also facilitated virtual, inbound and outbound trade missions contributing to economic development and trade relations; and has contributed to the international community in Miami through her work with Global Ties Miami’s activities with the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) by working with cultural exchanges and fostering positive relationships between international visitors and the Miami community; as well as her work with serving as a city host for the U.S. German Marshall Fund of the United States flagship Marshall Memorial Fellowship program; and her work with re-establishing a Miami Chapter of the World Affairs Councils of America. Her dedication to international relations and conflict resolution is emphasized by her academic background, which includes a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and master’s degrees in international relations & Conflict Resolution and Human Behavior. In addition to her professional pursuits, Lynare is a veteran of the United States Navy and actively volunteers, serving as an appointee representing District 5 on the Miami-Dade County International Trade Consortium. She also sits on the Florida Advisory Committee for the US Global Leadership Coalition and the Board of Directors for Sister Cities International. She has been recognized for her contributions to the Miami business community, receiving the 2022 International Women’s Day Award from the World Trade Center Miami.

Michael Rosales

U.S. Commercial Service Director for the Central & South Texas Region

How to Leverage the US Commercial Service in Sister City Relationships for Business Development
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

Mr. Michael Rosales is the U.S. Commercial Service Director for the Central & South Texas Region, which covers 81 counties and 14 Congressional Districts and is a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration. He is a visionary and strategic leader that works directly with American exporters to advance their global market share with the support of his colleagues at U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide. Driven by professional integrity, Michael is committed to serving all members of each unique ecosystem. He listens directly to the needs of his stakeholders, customers, and global industry partners alike. He zealously leads America’s workforce, building unique and lasting relationships, and leverages the U.S. Commercial Service as the backbone of the American economy. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Michael is 100% committed to this business community and advancing international trade for the State of Texas. Mr. Rosales earned both his BA and MBA from the University of Texas – San Antonio.

Michael Rosales

U.S. Commercial Service Director for the Central & South Texas Region

How to Leverage the US Commercial Service in Sister City Relationships for Business Development
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

Patsy Boozer

Chief Security Officer (CSO) and Director of the Alamo Regional Security Operations Center (ARSOC) for the City of San Antonio.

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Patsy Boozer, CISSP is the Chief Security Officer (CSO) and Director of the Alamo Regional Security Operations Center (ARSOC) for the City of San Antonio. Responsibilities include cyber, data, application, and facility physical security systems. Retired Naval Officer with 18 years in Federal, DOD and Commercial Information/Cyber and Physical Security consulting and management. In the private sector she served as Operations Manager responsible for over 150 security engineers and analyst including a 24×7 Security Operations Center as well as Director of IT Security for a FORTUNE 500® scientific, engineering, and technology company. Served as Director of Information Security Assurance at Methodist Healthcare System in San Antonio. Graduate of the University of South Carolina and earned her master’s degree in computer science from the Naval Post Graduate School.

Patsy Boozer

Chief Security Officer (CSO) and Director of the Alamo Regional Security Operations Center (ARSOC) for the City of San Antonio.

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Maria Elena Perez

Compliance Auditor for the City of San Antonio

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Maria serves as the Compliance Auditor for the City of San Antonio, a role she has embraced since April 2019 with a deep sense of responsibility and commitment to public service. In her role, she champions ethical standards and adherence with the City’s Ethics Code. She has over 20 years of experience in compliance, investigations, and risk management, which she uses to guide and educate, reinforcing the importance of integrity and transparency in public service.

Maria holds dual Master of Arts Degrees in Business Management and Human Resources Development, as well as a Bachelor of Arts Degree in the Psychology of Organizations and Development. She is a Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP), a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and certified in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA).

Maria Elena Perez

Compliance Auditor for the City of San Antonio

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
Wednesday, 29 May
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Paul Bardwil

Economic Development at Duran HCP

Transformative Impact of Arts in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Paul Bardwil is a graduate of Southern Methodist University where he gained degrees in business and political science. He had a successful real estate career before moving to Sacramento to study law where he practiced criminal and transaction law. As an internationalist starting in 1995, Paul has lived in Mexico, Cuba, and Spain leading trade missions and creating international study programs for universities, hospitals and numerous other special interest groups. He has successfully worked with the Cuban ministry of culture (one of few Americans) and was recently asked to lead classes and workshops in Havana in entrepreneurship, with its newly evolving program in Cuba’s newly evolving economy. Paul has also worked with the San Diego Sister Cities society exploring the opportunity of sister cities and friendship cities with Cuba.

Paul Bardwil

Economic Development at Duran HCP

Transformative Impact of Arts in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Rachel Mukai Stark

Smart Cities Program Manager, City of Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

People Centered Smart Cities Across the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Rachel is an urban designer and landscape architect with over 15 years of experience solving problems in the urban context. With a background in environmental science, effective data and its use is key to her work. She has used this and her expertise of working directly with the community to build up a people-centered smart city approach in Charlotte. She leads the City of Charlotte’s strategy to deliver investments that close the digital divide and build civic innovation. She leverages the Smart Cities program of putting data to work through technology and innovative approaches to achieve community goals and advance digital inclusion. She has authored the “5 Tactics of the Co-Created Smart City” for the Knight Foundation and City of Charlotte as a reference for connecting technology initiatives and community.

Rachel Mukai Stark

Smart Cities Program Manager, City of Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

People Centered Smart Cities Across the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Amir Samandi

Founder and Executive Director of Students of Service (SOS)

Sister Cities International Leadership Academy
Wednesday, 29 May
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Amir Samandi is the founder and Executive Director of Students of Service (SOS), a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to developing
global citizenship in youth through local servicelearning and meaningful travel abroad experiences. He founded SOS in 2014 with the goal of empowering young people to make a positive difference in the world. His background in international affairs and education, including working in the San Antonio public school system and at St. Mary’s University, informs his
leadership at SOS, allowing him to use his firsthand knowledge to mentor the next generation of global leaders.

Amir was a 2020-2021 German Marshall Fund Memorial Fellow and was named one of San Antonio’s 40 Under 40 by the San Antonio Business Journal in 2018. He lives in San Antonio with his wife and two sons, and they enjoy traveling together!

Amir Samandi

Founder and Executive Director of Students of Service (SOS)

Sister Cities International Leadership Academy
Wednesday, 29 May
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Antonio Arelle Barquet

Director of the Museo de Arte de Querétaro

Transformative Impact of Arts in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Antonio Arelle, born and raised in Mexico City, is the Director of the Museo de Arte de Querétaro, the city where he has lived for the past 15 years. He has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, another in Business Administration in UNAM, and a master’s degree in Visual Arts and Museology. He did an internship at Christie’s in NYC, where he resided for five years, and since then, he’s been auctioning art for nonprofit organizations and the museum’s yearly galas. For the past 38 years, he’s been pushing forward the career of emerging artists at his own art galleries and is now applying all his knowledge and experience at the museum. He’s also been promoting the arts in his home country and internationally. Mr. Arelle has a strong passion for figurative and modern art. He dedicates all his time to bringing great art to the people of Queretaro, Mexico.

Antonio Arelle Barquet

Director of the Museo de Arte de Querétaro

Transformative Impact of Arts in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Carlos Ealy

Assistant Secretary for Mexican and Border Affairs, Texas Secretary of State

Opening Ceremony: Parade of Flags and Honor Guard
Thursday, 30 May
8:30 AM to 9:30 AM

Carlos was born in Mexico and has spent half of his life in the United States, which has given him a unique perspective encompassing both nations and cultures. He has successfully leveraged this perspective to build strong business and state relationships across borders. Carlos has held several positions in both the private and public sectors, gaining experience and expertise along the way.

Carlos has an extensive professional background, working as the Director of Economic Development at Cross-National Advisory Partners in San Antonio. In the early days of his career, Carlos gained valuable knowledge through various international experiences, including ones at Kargocard in Shanghai, El Universal Newspaper in Mexico City, and the Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce in San Antonio.

Currently, Carlos serves as the Assistant Secretary of State for Mexican and Border Affairs at the Texas Secretary of State. He has held this position since 2022. In this role, some of his responsibilities include working with Mexican federal, state, and local officials as well as companies and organizations on issues affecting Texas, Mexico, and the border region. He also serves as an advisor to the Governor’s Office and other agencies on issues that affect Texas-Mexico relations. Furthermore, he is a member of the Rio Grande Minute Negotiating Team and oversees the coordination of the Border Trade Advisory Committee meeting.

Carlos has recently completed his MBA in Strategy/Entrepreneurship and Finance from Southern Methodist University. Before this, he earned two bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration (majoring in International Business) and Economics from Trinity University. During his MBA, Carlos developed a keen interest in public finance management and microeconomics for policy analysis.

Carlos Ealy

Assistant Secretary for Mexican and Border Affairs, Texas Secretary of State

Opening Ceremony: Parade of Flags and Honor Guard
Thursday, 30 May
8:30 AM to 9:30 AM

David Vequist

Founder and Director of the Center for Medical Tourism Research

Travel and Tourism in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

David G. Vequist IV, Ph.D., the founder and Director of the Center for Medical Tourism Research – the premier academic Medical Tourism research institute. Dr. David G. Vequist IV is also a Full Professor and tenured faculty of Management in the H-E-B School of Business & Administration at the University of the Incarnate Word (3rd largest private university in state of Texas, USA). In his previous career, Dr. Vequist was an executive at the Methodist Healthcare System, a multi-billion-dollar healthcare provider (also a joint venture with HCA- the largest hospital system in the U.S.). Before that, Dr. Vequist was a consultant for Ernst & Young, LLP working with Fortune 500 companies. He is also an entrepreneur that sold a training business to Bloomberg. Professor Vequist has been a featured keynote at many conferences, worked with companies/governments/NGOs (such as the UN), and been featured in the media (e.g., the New York Times, Reuters, CNN, Washington Post, Forbes, NPR, and many more). He received his Ph.D. and master’s from the University of Tulsa and his B.S. from Northern Arizona University. Dr. Vequist is a well-known speaker, presenter, and futurist on subjects such as medical tourism, training, and human resources and the author of many articles, books and chapters.

David Vequist

Founder and Director of the Center for Medical Tourism Research

Travel and Tourism in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Dona Regis-Prosper

Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)

Travel and Tourism in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Dona Regis-Prosper is Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).  She is the first woman to assume leadership of the intergovernmental body.

With a distinguished career spanning more than 22 years, Regis-Prosper is the also the first female leader to hold the dual role of Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer of the CTO, which serves as the Caribbean’s tourism development agency.

Hailing from St. Lucia, Regis-Prosper is an exceptionally dynamic and transformative leader who has cultivated and nurtured a robust network of professionals spanning both the public and private sectors. Her collaborative efforts extend to working closely with regional government officials, tourism stakeholders, and industry experts worldwide.

Her professional journey includes pivotal roles such as Director of Marketing and Product Development at the St. Lucia Air and Seaports Authority; Director of Business Development for Margaritaville Caribbean Group in Jamaica; CEO of the Tortola Pier Park in the British Virgin Islands; and General Manager of the Antigua Cruise Port.

She holds a Master of Business Administration from Durham University Business School and is a Certified Professional Marketer. Her expertise ranges from management, business development, strategy, marketing and communications to customer service and cruise port management.

As the leader of the CTO, she serves as the organization’s chief spokesperson and bears the responsibility of translating its vision into reality, guided by the strategic direction set forth by the Council of Ministers and Commissioners of Tourism and the Board of Directors.

Her purview extends to ensuring the success of the CTO’s strategic planning, business development, policy formulation and implementation initiatives, and the development and execution of innovative strategies to enhance the competitiveness of the Caribbean tourism product on national, regional, and international stages.

She was recently honored by the Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) with its 2023 Leadership award in recognition for her contribution to Tourism development in the Caribbean

Regis-Prosper is married and lives in Barbados.

Dona Regis-Prosper

Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)

Travel and Tourism in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Dona Regis-Prosper is Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).  She is the first woman to assume leadership of the intergovernmental body.

She was recently honored by the Caribbean Media Exchange (CMEx) with its 2023 Leadership award in recognition for her contribution to Tourism development in the Caribbean

Regis-Prosper is married and lives in Barbados.

Emily Royall

Smart Cities Administrator in the Information & Technology Services Department for the City of San Antonio

Moderator, People Centered Smart Cities across the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Emily works at the intersection of public administration and technology to build inclusive futures for cities. She is currently Smart Cities Administrator in the Information & Technology Services Department for the City of San Antonio (her hometown), where she leads a team to execute San Antonio’s “Smarter Together” Smart Cities initiative and supports a multi-stakeholder smart city partnership called “SmartSA”. Emily currently serves as Vice Chair of United for Smart and Sustainable Cities, an international collaborative platform led by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), UNECE and UN-Habitat. She is also Co-Chair of the Policy Working Group for the GovAI Coalition, a network of over 150 public agencies in the United States working to promote responsible and purposeful AI in the public sector.

Previously Emily advised UN-Habitat’s “People-Centered Smart Cities Flagship Program” and authored six UN playbooks on smart cities for local governments. Emily’s professional experience spans academic, non-profit, and government agencies including working at City Form Labs a Singapore-based smart cities laboratory, the Massachusetts Office of Information Technology (MassIT), and as Data Director for a local newsroom “The San Antonio Report”. She has several years of public sector experience in digital services, data governance, public participation, and smart city strategy.

Emily has published and presented her work in national and international forums including UN-Habitat, StateScoop, UrbanAI, and GovTech Magazine, as well as the World Urban Forum 11th Session and Smart City World Expo. Across her portfolio, Emily strives deliver public services that maximize transparency, security, equity, and accessibility for all. She believes people should be at the center of smart cities, and her work focuses on creating greater public oversight over smart city technologies and the data that powers them. Emily holds a Masters in City Design & Development at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Emily Royall

Smart Cities Administrator in the Information & Technology Services Department for the City of San Antonio

Moderator, People Centered Smart Cities across the Americas
Friday, 31 May
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Felipe Cardenas

President of the LGBT Chamber of Merchants of Colombia

Travel and Tourism in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 AM to 12:00 AM

Colombian, strategic business advisor to Executive Committees and Corporations about Strategic Planning, Financial Models, and D.E.I. Issues.

In 2012 with the support of the US Embassy In Colombia, I Co-founded the Colombian LGBT Chamber of Commerce, since then this organization has enabled economic empowerment programs for +500 LGBT Business owners as well as supported +200 major corporations in Latin America to advance in their Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Strategies.

Joined IGLTA as Ambassador for Colombia in 2013 and since 2017 is a board member of the Association in which acted as Treasurer for 4 years. In September 2021, I was elected Board Chair as the first South American and Colombian in this role.

Felipe Cardenas

President of the LGBT Chamber of Merchants of Colombia

Travel and Tourism in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
10:45 AM to 12:00 AM

Colombian, strategic business advisor to Executive Committees and Corporations about Strategic Planning, Financial Models, and D.E.I. Issues.

Gene Lindgren

President & CEO of Laredo Economic Development Corporation

Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Gene Lindgren is the President and CEO of the Laredo Economic Development Corporation (previously known as the Laredo Development Foundation). Gene was chosen to continue the successes of the organization’s now 57-year history in July of 2020. He drives the staff of seasoned professionals, with the oversight of the Board of Directors, and in accordance with the City of Laredo’s Viva Laredo Comprehensive Plan.

Gene transitioned to the LEDC after completing a 35-year career with a leading global automotive supply company in several diverse areas such as manufacturing, logistics and technology that operates in North America with more than 25 maquiladora plants throughout Mexico including distribution centers in El Paso and Laredo, Texas.

Gene has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Akron and an MBA from Lake Erie College in Ohio and has been a Laredo resident for over 25 years.

Gene is active in boards and committees such as the North American Strategy for Competitiveness (NASCO), South Texas Workforce Solutions, City of Laredo Port of Entry Advisory Committee, The Laredo Rotary Club, Binational Riverfront Conservation Project Working Group, Laredo College Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership Advisory Council, and Laredo Chamber of Commerce.

Gene and his wife have two daughters, enjoy their many DIY projects, and travel to spend time with extended family in Ohio and Torreon, Mexico.

Gene Lindgren

President & CEO of Laredo Economic Development Corporation

Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Gene has a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Akron and an MBA from Lake Erie College in Ohio and has been a Laredo resident for over 25 years.

Gene and his wife have two daughters, enjoy their many DIY projects, and travel to spend time with extended family in Ohio and Torreon, Mexico.

Jesus Saenz

Director of Airports, City of San Antonio

Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

In January 2020, Jesus H. Saenz Jr., IAP, was appointed to serve as the city’s Director of Airport’s. In this role, he oversees the day-to-day operations of the San Antonio Airport System, made up of the San Antonio International Airport and Stinson Municipal Airport. Combined the airports account for economic impact of more than $ 5.2 billion annually and support approximately 46,000 jobs in the region. The Airport System is embarking on one of the largest capital programs in the City of San Antonio’s history with the design and construction of a new terminal facility set for completion at the end of March 2028.

Mr. Saenz brings a strong focus on strategic planning initiatives to enhance customer experience, shepherd the airports capital improvement projects and increase the international airports air service, both domestic and international. In September 2023, the San Antonio International Airport announced its first transatlantic service set to start in May 2024.

Previously, Mr. Saenz was Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the Houston Airport System (HAS). As the COO, Mr. Saenz oversaw strategic and business plan development, business process re-engineering, implementing of technologically complex projects and airport operations.

Jesus Saenz

Director of Airports, City of San Antonio

Texas Gateway of the Americas
Friday, 31 May
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

José Ralat

Author of American Tacos: A History & Guide

Food as Love: a Conversation on Culture and Cuisine in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

José R. Ralat is Texas Monthly‘s taco editor, writing about tacos and Mexican food. He is the author of American Tacos: A History & Guide. Ralat has written for Eater, Imbibe, Dallas Observer, D Magazine, Vice, Cowboys & Indians magazine, Gravy, and other national and regional online and print media outlets. He is a two-time James Beard award winner.

José Ralat

Author of American Tacos: A History & Guide

Food as Love: a Conversation on Culture and Cuisine in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

Mayor Juan Francisco Ramírez Salcido

Acting Mayor of Guadalajara

High Level Mayoral Dialogue “Urban Horizons: Mayors' Perspectives on Local Priorities and Global Challenges”
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

The Acting Mayor of Guadalajara, Juan Francisco Ramírez Salcido is “tapatío” (from Guadalajara), born on March 25, 1969, the oldest of three brothers, of businessman parents, married and with two children.

Graduated with a degree in Business Administration from the Universidad del Valle de Atemajac (UNIVA), he entered local and national politics with one objective: to serve the citizens.

In 2015 he assumed his first public position of popular representation as Councilor of the City Council of Guadalajara; In 2018 he was Federal Representative of Jalisco for district 14 in the LXIV Legislature.

From 2021 to October 2023, he was Councilor of the Guadalajara City Council, coordinating the Movimiento Ciudadano political party fraction. He chaired the Commission of Governance, Regulations and Surveillance and was a member of the commissions of Public Finance and Municipal Heritage, Citizen Security and Social Prevention, Metropolitan Affairs and Coordination and that of Traditional Centers and Neighborhoods. He also chaired the Restricted Business Council of the Municipality.

After October 26, 2023, he was appointed by the Guadalajara City Council as Acting Mayor. And since November of the same year he has chaired the Building Commission for Metropolitan Affairs and Coordination.

Mayor Juan Francisco Ramírez Salcido

Acting Mayor of Guadalajara

High Level Mayoral Dialogue “Urban Horizons: Mayors' Perspectives on Local Priorities and Global Challenges”
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

Graduated with a degree in Business Administration from the Universidad del Valle de Atemajac (UNIVA), he entered local and national politics with one objective: to serve the citizens.

Linda Stone

Executive Director of Texas Water Mission

Water Across the Americas: Challenges and Solutions
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

Linda Stone is Executive Director of Texas Water Mission, a San Antonio based nonprofit facilitating safe water access and health and hygiene education for communities in rural Honduras and the Navajo Nation.

Linda is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area where she graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a bachelor’s in architecture. A few years later, Linda moved to New Orleans where she continued her education and earned a master’s in urban and regional planning from the University of New Orleans.

The theme running though Linda’s career is environmental preservation. She has worked to help the planet through efforts ranging from recycling and reuse to energy policy, from green building to a green business, and currently, finding localized solutions to world water issues. In addition, Linda has studied and traveled in Spain and Mexico, and in her current position, leads annual trips to Honduras.

Significant accomplishments include founding The Green Project, a nonprofit that recycles paint and building materials; serving as Director of the Mayor’s Office of Environmental Affairs; and co-creating Casa Borrega, a B-Corp taqueria and mezcaleria – all in New Orleans. In San Antonio, Linda served as inaugural Executive Director of the Metropolitan Partnership for Energy where she founded Build San Antonio Green, San Antonio’s first green building program.

Linda Stone

Executive Director of Texas Water Mission

Water Across the Americas: Challenges and Solutions
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

Marilyn Turkovich

Executive Director at the International Charter for Compassion

Moderator, Compassionate Americas
Friday, 31 May
1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Marilyn Turkovich started with the Charter for Compassion in 2013 as the education director and since that time has moved into a number of different roles with CFC. Marilyn’s background has been primarily in higher education and most specifically in directing teacher training programs for the Associated Colleges of the Midwest, and chairing Columbia College-Chicago’s master’s program in multicultural and global education.  She has done a considerable amount of curriculum writing through the years, much of it related to international and cultural topics. She worked with Independent Broadcasting Associates on a series for airing on National Public Radio, BBC and the Australian Broadcasting organizations. There was a period of time in the 1990s when she worked in organizational development and specialized in instructional design work, strategic planning and leadership development.  She also wrote and developed training on race and social justice initiatives.

Marilyn Turkovich

Executive Director at the International Charter for Compassion

Moderator, Compassionate Americas
Friday, 31 May
1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Mayor Ron Nirenberg

Mayor of San Antonio

Thursday, 30 May

Opening Ceremony: Parade of Flags and Honor Guard
8:30 AM to 9:30 AM

Moderator, High Level Mayoral Dialogue “Urban Horizons: Mayors’ Perspectives on Local Priorities and Global Challenges
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

Friday, 31 May

Compassionate Americas
1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Ron Nirenberg is the Mayor of San Antonio, one of the nation’s fastest growing cities with the 7th largest population in the United States.

He was raised in Austin, Texas, and attended college in San Antonio. Nirenberg is the son of an immigrant from Southeast Asia and the grandson of immigrants from Eastern Europe who passed through Ellis Island. Through his personal experiences, Mayor Nirenberg developed a core commitment to civic participation and the universal values of liberty, justice, and equal opportunity for every person.

Mayor Nirenberg was re-elected to a fourth and last term on May 6, 2023.

Under his leadership as mayor, the city’s budget has been adopted with a focus on equity to ensure that all parts of the city have the same level of services and infrastructure. He is focused on making key investments necessary to accommodate the growth of San Antonio, which is expected to nearly double in population by 2040. This forward-looking approach drives the mayor’s vision of a compassionate community with a globally competitive economy. In 2018, the United States Conference of Mayors recognized Mayor Nirenberg with the Small Business Advocate award for his efforts to encourage entrepreneurism.

The Mayor’s policy priorities include: workforce development. In 2020, he successfully championed SA Ready to Work, a four-year workforce development program approved by 77 percent of voters and funded without raising the tax rate as well as nurturing an educated workforce in San Antonio through the AlamoPROMISE tuition-free college program; championing innovative transportation solutions through the city’s first comprehensive multimodal transportation plan; and in 2017, Mayor Nirenberg created the Mayor’s Housing Policy Task Force seeking to ensure that all San Antonians, regardless of income level, can find quality affordable housing within the city limits. The task force recommendations were approved by City Council in 2018.

In an effort to combat the effects of global climate change, Mayor Nirenberg spearheaded a Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, which was adopted by the City Council in October 2019. Shortly thereafter, Mayor Nirenberg joined the Climate Mayors Steering Committee, a group of 24 mayors who will serve as a leading voice in efforts to further climate action in the more than 400 cities across the U.S. that make up the Climate Mayors Coalition.

Mayor Nirenberg also played a leading role crafting a long-term solution in 2020 for funding the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program. The Edwards Aquifer in South-Central Texas is one of the most productive aquifers in the United States serving as the primary water source for much of the region, including the City of San Antonio and its surrounding communities.

Grist, a nonprofit media organization, named Mayor Nirenberg one of the Grist 50 in 2020, recognizing him as an emerging leader on climate change in the United States.

Under Mayor Nirenberg’s leadership the City of San Antonio has adopted a compassionate approach to migrants, establishing a Migrant Resource Center with non-profit partners to address the safety and logistical needs of asylum seekers passing through San Antonio as they arrange to travel to their host cities across the nation. He has been a vocal proponent of a compassionate, welcoming policy since his tenure as a City Councilman for San Antonio’s Council district with the most refugees. Mayor Nirenberg was appointed to serve on the Leadership Board of the Mayors’ Migration Council, a mayor-led coalition that accelerates ambitious global action on migration and displacement.

Mayor Nirenberg chairs the US Conference of Mayors (USCM) Mayors and Business Leaders Center for Compassionate and Equitable Cities. He spearheaded the creation of an education curriculum called CompassionateUSA, which was launched at the USCM Annual meeting in 2023 and has to date been adopted by many cities as CompassionateUSA Partners.

Mayor Nirenberg is an inaugural member of the Assembly of Local Leaders (ALL), created by the U.S. Department of State’s Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy, a new venue for the Department of State to engage with mayors, governors, and other municipal leaders on key issues that affect their communities.

Mayor Nirenberg is a Chairman Emeritus of Sister Cities International, a nonpartisan organization that connects cities across the globe through civic, educational, and cultural exchanges. The City of San Antonio enjoys active and productive Sister City relationships with 12 cities worldwide, and Mayor Nirenberg has been a participant in establishing productive, people-to-people relationships through global community partnerships and volunteer action.

He was first elected to represent District 8 on the San Antonio City Council in 2013. During his first two terms, he championed smart city and regional planning, inclusive economic development, environmental stewardship, fiscal responsibility, and governmental accountability. As councilman, he brought together a public-private coalition to save the world-renowned Bracken Bat Cave, the largest colony of bats in the world.

Prior to his public service, Mayor Nirenberg was the founder of two small-businesses, worked as the general manager of KRTU-FM San Antonio, and served as a program director for the Annenberg Public Policy Center where he developed and directed award-winning civic engagement programs.

Mayor Nirenberg graduated summa cum laude from Trinity University and received a Master’s Degree in Communication magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania. He grew up in Austin, Texas.

He and his wife, First Lady Erika Prosper, are the proud parents of their son, Jonah.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg

Mayor of San Antonio

Thursday, 30 May

Opening Ceremony: Parade of Flags and Honor Guard
8:30 AM to 9:30 AM

Moderator, High Level Mayoral Dialogue “Urban Horizons: Mayors’ Perspectives on Local Priorities and Global Challenges
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

Friday, 31 May

Compassionate Americas
1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Ron Nirenberg is the Mayor of San Antonio, one of the nation’s fastest growing cities with the 7th largest population in the United States.

Mayor Nirenberg was re-elected to a fourth and last term on May 6, 2023.

Grist, a nonprofit media organization, named Mayor Nirenberg one of the Grist 50 in 2020, recognizing him as an emerging leader on climate change in the United States.

Mayor Nirenberg graduated summa cum laude from Trinity University and received a Master’s Degree in Communication magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania. He grew up in Austin, Texas.

He and his wife, First Lady Erika Prosper, are the proud parents of their son, Jonah.

Shahrzad Dowlatshahi

Chief Diplomacy & Protocol Officer for the City of San Antonio

How to Leverage the US Commercial Service in Sister City Relationships for Business Development
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

Ms. Dowlatshahi serves as Chief Diplomacy & Protocol Officer for the City of San Antonio heading up the Global Engagement Office from within the Economic Development Department. She oversees international business, protocol, and official global relationships. More specifically, she advises, assists and supports San Antonio elected officials and executives on matters of international affairs, public diplomacy and diplomatic procedure and protocol; is responsible for coordinating official foreign travel of Mayor and Council as well as planning the program of visits for high-level foreign dignitaries, consular & diplomatic corps members working closely with Mayor and City Council; ;and public engagement with local community business, cultural, civic, and higher education, diaspora and ethnic groups. She manages the award-winning San Antonio Sister Cities Program and works closely with Sister Cities International as well as community stakeholders to foster and maintain San Antonio’s official relationships.

She has been recognized with Spain´s King Felipe VI Order of Civil Merit with rank of Officer’s Cross as well as the Government of Mexico´s prestigious Ohtli Award, and is the 2024 recipient of the World Affairs Council of San Antonio’s International Citizen of the Year award.

She currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the World Affairs Council of San Antonio, the San Antonio Mexico Friendship Council, and the San Antonio Mexico Foundation for Education. Additionally, she serves on the Global Advisory Council of Musical Bridges Around the World; is an Advisory member of the US Mexico Business Association (AEM) San Antonio Chapter, Anuja SA-San Antonio Chennai Sister City Alliance; Communities Aligned Baguio-San Antonio sister city alliance; and the San Antonio Creative City of Gastronomy Advisory Council. Furthermore, she is involved with international education initiatives in San Antonio serving on the Advisory Council of the CAST Schools’ Advanced Learning Academy, and the Alamo Colleges International Advisory Council. She is a member of the San Antonio Rotary Club serving on its International Service and Program Committees. She serves on the Honorary Board of Sister Cities International and represents the City of San Antonio in the German Marshall Fund’s City Directors of International Affairs Tran-Atlantic Network.

Ms. Dowlatshahi completed her undergraduate and graduate education in the UK at the University of Westminster in London and the University of Cambridge with study abroad at Alexandria University, Egypt, and the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico in Mexico.

Sherry Dowlatshahi

Chief Diplomacy & Protocol Officer for the City of San Antonio

Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
How to Leverage the US Commercial Service in Sister City Relationships for Business Development
Thursday, 30 May
2:00 PM to 3:15 PM

She has been recognized with Spain´s King Felipe VI Order of Civil Merit with rank of Officer’s Cross as well as the Government of Mexico´s prestigious Ohtli Award and is the 2024 recipient of the World Affairs Council of San Antonio’s International Citizen of the Year award.

Rachel Connell

President & CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Supply Chains and Transportation in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 PM

Rachel has been an integral part of NASCO since 2005, currently holding the position of Vice President. With a passion for fostering connections across North America, she collaborates closely with her NASCO colleagues to develop and implement programs that facilitate meaningful connections among members and partners, fostering business opportunities throughout the continent.

In her role as Vice President, Rachel oversees a wide range of responsibilities, spanning from operational management and advocacy to spearheading marketing campaigns and communications efforts. She meticulously plans and executes meetings, events, and collaborative projects, all aimed at serving NASCO’s members and enhancing the organization’s visibility and success. Notably, Rachel leads the coordination and programming efforts for the annual NASCO Reunion, a flagship event that rotates between the United States, Canada, and Mexico, drawing participation from prominent figures in both the public and private sectors across North America.

Rachel earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations with a minor in Marketing from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Rachel resides in Dallas with her family, where she continues to make a positive impact in both her personal and professional spheres.

Rachel Connell

Vice President of NASCO

Supply Chains and Transportation in the Americas
Friday, 31 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 PM

Ramiro Cavazos

President & CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

International Trade and Investment in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 PM

Ramiro A. Cavazos, President & CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, is a champion for bipartisan solutions that generate wealth to advance economic opportunity for the Hispanic community. With a steadfast commitment to promoting prosperity, Mr. Cavazos has emerged as a prominent advocate for equitable growth for Hispanics in business.

Prior to his position at the USHCC, he served as the President & CEO of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where he played a pivotal role in fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in the region for more than 10 years. Under his leadership, the organization experienced remarkable growth and was recognized for its impactful work in empowering Hispanic-owned businesses.

His career has spanned a variety of industries, including large corporations, government service and higher education, as well as worked at the City of San Antonio, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Levi Strauss Company and Levi Strauss Foundation, InterContinental
Bank Shares Corporation. He also taught at University of Texas at San Antonio.

A native of Weslaco, TX, Cavazos is chairman of the board for the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility, based in Washington, D.C., that advocates for Fortune 500 companies to invest in more equitable and fair representation for Hispanics on corporate boards and publicly traded companies. He also serves on the board of Sister Cities International, LiftFund, and is a member of Council on Foreign Relations and Bank of America’s National Community Advisory Council. Cavazos has been featured in Fortune, Forbes, Time, Newsweek, CNN, the Associated Press, The Economist, The Washington Post, El País, El Heraldo and many other media outlets. He has also been recognized by Latino Leaders Magazine as one of America’s “101 Most Influential Latinos” for the last six years. In recognition of his work, in 2015 Spain bestowed on him the Order of Isabel the Catholic, its highest award granted to foreigners.

With his innovative approach, Cavazos is shaping the future of the Hispanic business community and contributing to the overall economic vitality of the nation. His vision for USHCC centers on strengthening the bridge between Hispanic businesses and the broader American economic landscape. He continues to be a powerful advocate for policies and initiatives that create a level playing field for Hispanic-owned enterprises, advocating for the interests of more than 5 million Hispanic-owned businesses throughout the U.S.

Cavazos earned his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from St. Mary’s University, where he received the honor of Distinguished Alumnus, and his Bachelor’s Degree in Government from the University of Texas at Austin. A 7th generation Texan, he and his wife Christa are the proud parents
of two teenage boys.

Ramiro Cavazos

President & CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

International Trade and Investment in the Americas
Thursday, 30 May
11:15 AM to 12:30 PM

Speaker – Teresa Garcia Castro – Print Version – 2024 Sister Cities International All Americas Summit (2024)

References

https://allamericassummit.sistercities.org/speaker-teresa-garcia-castro-print-version/