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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.