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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Hancock, Presidio, Del Rio/Amistad Dam, Laredo, Falcon Heights/Falcon Dam, and Mercedes in Texas; and Washington, DC.

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.

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.

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 “

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.