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SPEAKERS

Learn from visionary leaders across industries.

Suhail Aratsu

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

Juan Arcereto

Binational Director, City of Juarez, Mexico

Stephen Kenyah Arthur

Bahamas and Ghana Sister Cities President

Juan Ayala

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

Lt. David Bacarreza

San Antonio Police Department, Texas, USA

Jag Badwal

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

Professor Jean Bailey

Professor at Howard University

Elaina Ball

Chief Strategy Officer, CPS Energy, San Antonio, Texas

Karen Ballard

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

Paul Bardwil

Economic Development at Duran HCP

Antonio Arelle Barquet

Director of the Museo de Arte de Querétaro

Fernando Barrera

Associate Director of Origination North American Development Bank

Carlos Bañuelos Barrios

Director of Creative Industries, Guadalajara, Mexico

Kevin Barthold

City Auditor, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA

Fatima Benge

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

Fred Blanton

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

Bill Boerum

Sister Cities International Representative to the Organization of American States

Patsy Boozer

Chief Security Officer (CSO) and Director of the Alamo Regional Security Operations Center (ARSOC) for the City of San Antonio.

Alfred Breuer

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

Kent Britton

Chief Executive Officer for the Port of Corpus Christi

Janis Burke

CEO at Harris County - Houston Sports Authority

Marisa Calder

Director of Operations for Students of Service (SOS)

Felipe Cardenas

President of the LGBT Chamber of Merchants of Colombia

Jenny Carnes

President & CEO at San Antonio Sports

Jorge Canavati

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

Carlo Capua

Chief of Strategy and Innovation for the City of Fort Worth

Virginia Carefoote

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

Teresa Garcia Castro

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

Ramiro Cavazos

President & CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Sudeshna Chatterjee

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

Jonathan "J.J." Childress

Community Engagement Manager, Microsoft, USA

Chelsea Collier

Founder of Digi.City

Rachel Connell

Vice President of NASCO

Caitlin Cowart

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

Ambassador James Creagan

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

Phil Cullen

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

Mario D'Agostino

Deputy City Manager, City of El Paso, USA

Nana John Canoe II (Christopher Davis)

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

Joshua Dean

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

Mayor Alix Desulme

Mayor of North Miami

Commissioner Laura Dominguez

Miami Beach City Commissioner

Sherry Dowlatshahi

Chief Diplomacy & Protocol Officer for the City of San Antonio

Carlos Ealy

Assistant Secretary for Mexican and Border Affairs, Texas Secretary of State

Herbert Espinoza

Consul General of Costa Rica

Joao Martins Esteves

Secretary of Government, Attorney General, Londrina City Hall, Brazil

Jeff Fair

Vice President, Economic Development, The Greater San Antonio Chamber

José Luis Falconi

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

Pam Foley

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

Dionísio Manuel da Fonseca

Minister of Local Government of the Republic of Angola

David Fonseca

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

Brenda Frinks

President at Sun City Events & Entertainment

Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia

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

Pete Garcia

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

Ricki Garrett

Interim President and CEO of Sister Cities International

Lieutenant Jacob Garza

San Antonio Police Department, Texas, USA

Dan Geddes

San Antonio Region President at Frost Bank

Chairman Oliver G. Gilbert III

Chairman of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners

Dr. Maria Giner

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

Doug Greene

San Antonio Police Department

Vincent Robinson

Pastor: Harper’s Chapel

Sacha Francois Heppell

Executive Director, Denver Sister Cities International, Colorado, USA

Richard Hernàndez

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

Owen Herrnstadt

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

Brenda Hicks

CEcD, Director of Economic Development Department, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA

Daedelus Hoffman

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

Dr. Rafael Hoyle

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

Ruth Hughs

Former Secretary of State, Austin Chamber of Commerce

Peter Ives

Sister City Liaison and UNESCO Volunteer, New Mexico, USA

Emery Johnson

Founder: Against, All Odds Rise

Sunchai Khemalaap

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

Susy Osorio-Kinsky and Steve Kinsky

Lions Club of Denver, USA

Chef Jesse Kirk

Ocho Restaurant, San Antonio, Texas

Miriam Kotkowski

President of Tecma Transportation Services (TTS)

Dave Krupinski

Chief Operating Officer, Visit San Antonio

Camila Kunau

Assistant City Attorney for the City of San Antonio

Corinne LeTourneau

Principal Founder, Resilient Cities Catalyst

Gabriela Coelho Lemos

Senior Protection Officer, UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, USA

Gene Lindgren

President & CEO of Laredo Economic Development Corporation

Joseph E. Lopez

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

Carol Robertson López

Chair-Emeritus, Sister Cities International

Salvador Lopez

Chief Environmental Officer North American Development Bank

Dr. Robert Mace

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

Omar Martinez

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

Marcello Belinati Martins

Mayor of Londrina

Dinah McDougall

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

Angelique McKay

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

Rod McSherry

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

Eva A. Millona

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

Ambassador Luis G. Moreno

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

Andrés Muñoz

Chief Marketing Officer, Visit San Antonio

Valerie Narvaez

Director of Homeless Services

Ken Nelson

President, Asheville Sister Cities

Jessica Nguyen

Development Manage, Port Houston

Betsabé Rocha Nieto

Interim Mayor of the City of Monterrey

Laura Odegaard

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

Michael Orlove

Director of State, Regional & Local Partnerships

Tad Parzen

President and CEO of the Burnham Center for Community Advancement

Laura Patiño

Commissioner, City of Miami Beach Commission, Florida, USA

Councilman Manny Pelaez

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

Jim Perschbach

President and CEO, Port San Antonio

Maria Elena Perez

Compliance Auditor for the City of San Antonio

Maricarmen Plata

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

Officer Joel Pope

San Antonio Police Officer

Maggie Powers

Director of Policy and Advocacy, Mayors Migration Council, USA

Adriana Pulecio

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

José Ralat

Author of American Tacos: A History & Guide

Mayor Juan Francisco Ramírez Salcido

Acting Mayor of Guadalajara

Dona Regis-Prosper

Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)

Lynare Robbins

Member and Board of Directors, Sister Cities International, USA

Raul B. Rodriguez

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

Liz Rodrigues

Director of Governance and International Relations of the Londrina City Hall

Mayor Ron Nirenberg

Mayor of San Antonio

Michael Rosales

U.S. Commercial Service Director for the Central & South Texas Region

Mayor Jim Ross

Mayor of Arlington

Emily Royall

Smart Cities Administrator in the Information & Technology Services Department for the City of San Antonio

Judge Peter Sakai

Bexar County Judge

Jesus Saenz

Director of Airports, City of San Antonio

Celeste Nuñez Salcido

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

Amir Samandi

Founder and Executive Director of Students of Service (SOS)

Jenna Saucedo

President & CEO of greater: SATX

Donna Scantlebury

Jacksonville Sister Cities International, Florida, USA

Mayor Frank Scarpitti

Mayor of Markham, Ontario, Canada

Clint Schelbitzki

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

Gerry Schwebel

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

Major General Dustin Shultz

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

Teri Simmons

Partner, Arnall Golden Gregory, Georgia, USA

Cintia Smith

Secretary of Innovation and Open Government of the Government of Monterrey

Ambassador Juan B. Sosa

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

Rachel Mukai Stark

Smart Cities Program Manager, City of Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

Jayme Staley

Executive Director of Greater Columbus Sister Cities International

Linda Stone

Executive Director of Texas Water Mission

Alexa Storzinger

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

Colleen Swain

Director of the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office

Peter Svarzbein

Chairman, Sister Cities International

Colonel Bryan B. Tuinman

Commandant, Inter-American Air Forces Academy (IAAFA)

Marilyn Turkovich

Executive Director at the International Charter for Compassion

Walter Ulrich

President & CEO of Medical Bridges

Chef Rodolfo "Rudy" Valdes

Chef and Co-founder Pan y Agua Group, El Paso, Texas, USA

Martha Vera

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

David Vequist

Founder and Director of the Center for Medical Tourism Research

Phyllis Viagran

Councilmember, City of San Antonio

Dr. Sheila Walker

Cultural Anthropologist and Documentary Filmmaker

David West

Mayor of Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Kendee Yamaguchi

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

Barbara Simao

Head of Research, Privacy and Surveillance, InternetLab, Brazil

Rodrigo Riquelme

Water and Sanitation Senior Specialist, Inter-American Development Bank

Rev. Ann Helmke

City of San Antonio, Faith Liaison, Faith-Based Initiative and Compassionate San Antonio

Beatriz Gómez Villaseñor

Director of Institutional and International Affairs, City of Monterrey

Heather Shaw

Assistant Director of Economic Development, the City of Miami Beach, Florida, USA

2024
Sister Cities International
All Americas Summit
MAY 28-31, 2024

Hosted by

Host Sponsor

Suhail Aratsu

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

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

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

Suhail Aratsu

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

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

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.

Juan Arcereto

Binational Director, City of Juarez, Mexico

  • Sister Cities Spotlight
  • -
  • -

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

1.-Political representation and public diplomacy

2.-Economic Development and Economic Promotion

Commercial and Tourist Promotion

3.-Cultural Diplomacy

4.-Border Security and prevention

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

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

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

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

(Culiacan, Sinaloa. 2007-2008).

Juan Arcereto

Binational Director, City of Juarez, Mexico

  • Sister Cities Spotlight
  • -
  • -
Print

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).

Stephen Kenyah Arthur

Bahamas and Ghana Sister Cities President

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

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

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

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

Stephen Kenyah Arthur

Bahamas and Ghana Sister Cities President

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

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.

Juan Ayala

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Juan Ayala

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

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

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.

Lt. David Bacarreza

San Antonio Police Department, Texas, USA

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

Lieutenant David Bacarreza has served with the San Antonio Police Department for 15 years.  He is currently in the Office of the Chief of Police.  Lieutenant Bacarreza’s previous experience include various patrol assignments, major crimes investigations, sworn personnel staffing, and project lead for Department technology projects.  He believes that technology can help serve as a force-multiplier in the partnership between the Police Department and the community.

Lieutenant Bacarreza also currently serves in the United States Air Force Reserve.  He is a graduate of the Air Force’s Officer Training School.  Lieutenant Bacarreza holds an M.A. in Cyber Intelligence from American Military University.

Lt. David Bacarreza

San Antonio Police Department, Texas, USA

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

Lieutenant David Bacarreza has served with the San Antonio Police Department for 15 years.  He is currently in the Office of the Chief of Police.  Lieutenant Bacarreza’s previous experience include various patrol assignments, major crimes investigations, sworn personnel staffing, and project lead for Department technology projects.  He believes that technology can help serve as a force-multiplier in the partnership between the Police Department and the community.

Lieutenant Bacarreza also currently serves in the United States Air Force Reserve.  He is a graduate of the Air Force’s Officer Training School.  Lieutenant Bacarreza holds an M.A. in Cyber Intelligence from American Military University.

Jag Badwal

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jag is married and a proud father of two daughters.

Jag Badwal

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

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

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.

Professor Jean Bailey

Professor at Howard University

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

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

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

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

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

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

Professor Jean Bailey

Professor at Howard University

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

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.

Elaina Ball

Chief Strategy Officer, CPS Energy, San Antonio, Texas

  • Resilience and Sustainability in the Americas
  • Friday, 31 May
  • 01:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Elaina Ball leads Enterprise Risk Management & Solutions, Strategic
Alignment Planning & Performance, and Corporate Development for CPS
Energy. A key part of her role is the oversight and execution of CPS Energy’s
Vision 2027. She has over 17 years of experience working with both
investor-owned and public power utility companies. She has provided
effective leadership in power generation, transmission & distribution, market
operations, technology, and business development functions.

She has previously served as CEO for Fayetteville PWC in Fayetteville, NC,
as Chief Operating Officer for El Paso Electric and Austin Energy, as Senior
Vice President of Power Delivery at Entergy, and is a CPS Energy alumnus
serving as Vice President of Technical Services & Energy Solutions in 2012.
She also has extensive leadership experience with the South Texas Project
(STP), having served on their Board of Directors, Owners’ Committee, and
Benefits Committee.

Elaina has been actively engaged with multiple utility organizations,
including the Rocky Mountain Electrical League, the Association of Women in Energy, and the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) Board of Directors.
She has also served with many community non-profits such as the Austin
Science Education Foundation, El Pasoans Fighting Hunger, and Fayetteville
Tech Community College.

Elaina holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the
University of Texas at Austin. She is also a graduate of the University of
Idaho Utility Energy Executive program and a certified Six Sigma Black Belt.

Elaina Ball

Chief Strategy Officer, CPS Energy, San Antonio, Texas

  • Resilience and Sustainability in the Americas
  • Friday, 31 May
  • 01:30 PM to 2:45 PM
Print

Elaina Ball leads Enterprise Risk Management & Solutions, Strategic
Alignment Planning & Performance, and Corporate Development for CPS
Energy. A key part of her role is the oversight and execution of CPS Energy’s
Vision 2027. She has over 17 years of experience working with both
investor-owned and public power utility companies. She has provided
effective leadership in power generation, transmission & distribution, market
operations, technology, and business development functions.

She has previously served as CEO for Fayetteville PWC in Fayetteville, NC,
as Chief Operating Officer for El Paso Electric and Austin Energy, as Senior
Vice President of Power Delivery at Entergy, and is a CPS Energy alumnus
serving as Vice President of Technical Services & Energy Solutions in 2012.
She also has extensive leadership experience with the South Texas Project
(STP), having served on their Board of Directors, Owners’ Committee, and
Benefits Committee.

Elaina has been actively engaged with multiple utility organizations,
including the Rocky Mountain Electrical League, the Association of Women in Energy, and the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) Board of Directors.
She has also served with many community non-profits such as the Austin
Science Education Foundation, El Pasoans Fighting Hunger, and Fayetteville
Tech Community College.

Elaina holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the
University of Texas at Austin. She is also a graduate of the University of
Idaho Utility Energy Executive program and a certified Six Sigma Black Belt.\

Karen Ballard

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

  • How to Leverage the US Commercial Service in Sister City Relationships for Business Development
  • Thursday, 30 May
  • 2:00 PM to 3:15 PM
  • Travel and Tourism in the Americas
  • Friday, 31 May
  • 10:45 AM to 12:00 PM

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

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

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

Karen Ballard

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

  • How to Leverage the US Commercial Service in Sister City Relationships for Business Development
  • Thursday, 30 May
  • 2:00 PM to 3:15 PM
  • Travel and Tourism in the Americas
  • Friday, 31 May
  • 10:45 AM to 12:00 PM
Print

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.

Paul Bardwil

Economic Development at Duran HCP

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

Paul Bardwil is a graduate of Southern Methodist University where he gained degrees in business and political science. He had a successful real estate career before moving to Sacramento to study law where he practiced criminal and transaction law. As an internationalist starting in 1995, Paul has lived in Mexico, Cuba, and Spain leading trade missions and creating international study programs for universities, hospitals and numerous other special interest groups. He has successfully  worked with the Cuban ministry of culture (one of few Americans) and was recently asked to lead classes and workshops in Havana in entrepreneurship, with its newly evolving program in Cuba’s newly evolving economy. Paul has also worked with the San Diego Sister Cities society exploring the opportunity of sister cities and friendship cities with Cuba.

Paul Bardwil

Economic Development at Duran HCP

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

Paul Bardwil is a graduate of Southern Methodist University where he gained degrees in business and political science. He had a successful real estate career before moving to Sacramento to study law where he practiced criminal and transaction law. As an internationalist starting in 1995, Paul has lived in Mexico, Cuba, and Spain leading trade missions and creating international study programs for universities, hospitals and numerous other special interest groups. He has successfully  worked with the Cuban ministry of culture (one of few Americans) and was recently asked to lead classes and workshops in Havana in entrepreneurship, with its newly evolving program in Cuba’s newly evolving economy. Paul has also worked with the San Diego Sister Cities society exploring the opportunity of sister cities and friendship cities with Cuba.

Antonio Arelle Barquet

Director of the Museo de Arte de Querétaro

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

Antonio Arelle, born and raised in Mexico City, is the Director of the Museo de Arte de Querétaro, the city where he has lived for the past 15 years. He has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, another in Business Administration in UNAM, and a master’s degree in Visual Arts and Museology. He did an internship at Christie’s in NYC, where he resided for five years, and since then, he’s been auctioning art for nonprofit organizations and the museum’s yearly galas. For the past 38 years, he’s been pushing forward the career of emerging artists at his own art galleries and is now applying all his knowledge and experience at the museum. He’s also been promoting the arts in his home country and internationally. Mr. Arelle has a strong passion for figurative and modern art. He dedicates all his time to bringing great art to the people of Queretaro, Mexico.

Antonio Arelle Barquet

Director of the Museo de Arte de Querétaro

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

Antonio Arelle, born and raised in Mexico City, is the Director of the Museo de Arte de Querétaro, the city where he has lived for the past 15 years. He has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, another in Business Administration in UNAM, and a master’s degree in Visual Arts and Museology. He did an internship at Christie’s in NYC, where he resided for five years, and since then, he’s been auctioning art for nonprofit organizations and the museum’s yearly galas. For the past 38 years, he’s been pushing forward the career of emerging artists at his own art galleries and is now applying all his knowledge and experience at the museum. He’s also been promoting the arts in his home country and internationally. Mr. Arelle has a strong passion for figurative and modern art. He dedicates all his time to bringing great art to the people of Queretaro, Mexico.

Fernando Barrera

Associate Director of Origination North American Development Bank

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

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

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

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

Fernando Barrera

Associate Director of Origination North American Development Bank

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

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).

Carlos Bañuelos Barrios

Director of Creative Industries, Guadalajara, Mexico

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

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

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

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

Carlos Bañuelos Barrios

Director of Creative Industries, Guadalajara, Mexico

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

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.

Kevin Barthold

City Auditor, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA

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

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

Kevin Barthold

City Auditor, City of San Antonio, Texas, USA

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

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.

Fatima Benge

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

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

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

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

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

Fatima Benge

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

  • -
  • -
  • -
Print

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

Fred Blanton

SCI Honorary Board Chair

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

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

Fred Blanton

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

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

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.

Bill Boerum

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

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

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

Bill Boerum

Sister Cities International Representative to the Organization of American States

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

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.

Patsy Boozer

Chief Security Officer (CSO) and Director of the Alamo Regional Security Operations Center (ARSOC) for the City of San Antonio.

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

Patsy Boozer, CISSP is the Chief Security Officer (CSO) and Director of the Alamo Regional Security Operations Center (ARSOC) for the City of San Antonio. Responsibilities include cyber, data, application, and facility physical security systems.  Retired Naval Officer with 18 years in Federal, DOD and Commercial Information/Cyber and Physical Security consulting and management. In the private sector she served as Operations Manager responsible for over 150 security engineers and analyst including a 24×7 Security Operations Center as well as Director of IT Security for a FORTUNE 500® scientific, engineering, and technology company. Served as Director of Information Security Assurance at Methodist Healthcare System in San Antonio. Graduate of the University of South Carolina and earned her master’s degree in computer science from the Naval Post Graduate School.

Patsy Boozer

Chief Security Officer (CSO) and Director of the Alamo Regional Security Operations Center (ARSOC) for the City of San Antonio.

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

Patsy Boozer, CISSP is the Chief Security Officer (CSO) and Director of the Alamo Regional Security Operations Center (ARSOC) for the City of San Antonio. Responsibilities include cyber, data, application, and facility physical security systems.  Retired Naval Officer with 18 years in Federal, DOD and Commercial Information/Cyber and Physical Security consulting and management. In the private sector she served as Operations Manager responsible for over 150 security engineers and analyst including a 24×7 Security Operations Center as well as Director of IT Security for a FORTUNE 500® scientific, engineering, and technology company. Served as Director of Information Security Assurance at Methodist Healthcare System in San Antonio. Graduate of the University of South Carolina and earned her master’s degree in computer science from the Naval Post Graduate School.

Alfred Breuer

International Economic Development Manager, City of San Antonio

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

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

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

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

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

Alfred Breuer

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

  • Municipal Best Practices and Technical Exchange Seminar
  • Wednesday, 29 May
  • 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
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Alfred Breuer focuses on expanding international relationships, building collaboration across San Antonio’s economic development community, and foreign direct investment. Mr. Breuer engages international companies who are looking to expand their presence in the city and supports San Antonio companies expand through exports.

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

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

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

Kent Britton

Chief Executive Officer for the Port of Corpus Christi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kent Britton

Chief Executive Officer for the Port of Corpus Christi

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

Janis Burke

CEO at Harris County - Houston Sports Authority

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

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

Janis Burke

CEO at Harris County - Houston Sports Authority

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

Marisa Calder

Director of Operations for Students of Service (SOS)

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

Marisa Calder is the Director of Operations for Students of Service (SOS), a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to developing global citizenship in youth through local service-learning and meaningful travel abroad experiences. She leverages her professional background in international education, as well as her own high school study abroad experience as a Rotary Youth Exchange student in Hungary, to manage SOS’s programs, run day-to-day operations, and cultivate new partnerships.

Marisa attended Trinity University, where she majored in Political Science and Chinese Language and participated in the State Department’s Critical Language Scholarship Program. She went on to earn her Master’s degree in Global Policy Studies from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin with a focus on Nonprofit Management. Previously she served as a Consular Fellow at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and held roles in international student affairs and study abroad at ISEP Study Abroad, University of Texas at Austin, and the University of the Incarnate Word.

Marisa Calder

Director of Operations for Students of Service (SOS)

  • Sister Cities International Leadership Academy
  • Wednesday, 29 May
  • 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
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Marisa Calder is the Director of Operations for Students of Service (SOS), a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to developing global citizenship in youth through local service-learning and meaningful travel abroad experiences. She leverages her professional background in international education, as well as her own high school study abroad experience as a Rotary Youth Exchange student in Hungary, to manage SOS’s programs, run day-to-day operations, and cultivate new partnerships.

Marisa attended Trinity University, where she majored in Political Science and Chinese Language and participated in the State Department’s Critical Language Scholarship Program. She went on to earn her Master’s degree in Global Policy Studies from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin with a focus on Nonprofit Management. Previously she served as a Consular Fellow at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing and held roles in international student affairs and study abroad at ISEP Study Abroad, University of Texas at Austin, and the University of the Incarnate Word.

Felipe Cardenas

President of the LGBT Chamber of Merchants of Colombia

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

Colombian, strategic business advisor to Executive Committees and Corporations about Strategic Planning, Financial Models, and D.E.I. Issues.

In 2012 with the support of the US Embassy In Colombia, I Co-founded the Colombian LGBT Chamber of Commerce, since then this organization has enabled economic empowerment programs for +500 LGBT Business owners as well as supported +200 major corporations in Latin America to advance in their Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Strategies.

Joined IGLTA as Ambassador for Colombia in 2013 and since 2017 is a board member of the Association in which acted as Treasurer for 4 years. In September 2021, I was elected Board Chair as the first South American and Colombian in this role.

Felipe Cardenas

President of the LGBT Chamber of Merchants of Colombia

  • Travel and Tourism in the Americas
  • Friday, 31 May
  • 10:45 AM to 12:00 AM
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Colombian, strategic business advisor to Executive Committees and Corporations about Strategic Planning, Financial Models, and D.E.I. Issues.

In 2012 with the support of the US Embassy In Colombia, I Co-founded the Colombian LGBT Chamber of Commerce, since then this organization has enabled economic empowerment programs for +500 LGBT Business owners as well as supported +200 major corporations in Latin America to advance in their Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Strategies.

Joined IGLTA as Ambassador for Colombia in 2013 and since 2017 is a board member of the Association in which acted as Treasurer for 4 years. In September 2021, I was elected Board Chair as the first South American and Colombian in this role.

Jenny Carnes

President & CEO at San Antonio Sports

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

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

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

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

Jenny Carnes

President & CEO at San Antonio Sports

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

Jorge Canavati

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

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

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

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

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

  • Receiver of a Port San Antonio resolution for outstanding achievements in logistics (establishment of an intermodal corridor from China to the U.S. through Mexico). Sep 2006

  • Receiver of a Texas Secretary of State recognition award for outstanding economic development work for the State of Texas. 2012

  • Recipient of the San Antonio Council for International Visitors (SACIV) “International Leadership Award” for his contribution to promoting citizen diplomacy in the community. 2020

  • Recognized by the U.S. Commercial Service/Dept of Commerce during Hispanic Heritage month for facilitating fuel exports to Mexico

  • Receiver of the Export Achievement Certificate Award 2023 from the International Trade Administration- Department of Commerce. One of two San Antonio companies to receive this distinction.

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

Formerly:

  • Consultant to the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) Border Trade Advisory Committee (BTAC).

  • Chair of the International Energy Commission of ANIERM

  • Board of directors of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and co-chair of the international business committee of the same organization

  • Chair of the Logistics Subcomittee of the Asociación de Empresarios Mexicanos  (AEM) Energy Committee

HOBBIES include:

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

  • Cooking: Specializing in live fire and BBQ

  • Reading: Biographies & works on the economic history of World Trade

Jorge Canavati

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

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

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

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

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

  • Receiver of a Port San Antonio resolution for outstanding achievements in logistics (establishment of an intermodal corridor from China to the U.S. through Mexico). Sep 2006

  • Receiver of a Texas Secretary of State recognition award for outstanding economic development work for the State of Texas. 2012

  • Recipient of the San Antonio Council for International Visitors (SACIV) “International Leadership Award” for his contribution to promoting citizen diplomacy in the community. 2020

  • Recognized by the U.S. Commercial Service/Dept of Commerce during Hispanic Heritage month for facilitating fuel exports to Mexico

  • Receiver of the Export Achievement Certificate Award 2023 from the International Trade Administration- Department of Commerce. One of two San Antonio companies to receive this distinction.

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

Formerly:

  • Consultant to the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) Border Trade Advisory Committee (BTAC).

  • Chair of the International Energy Commission of ANIERM

  • Board of directors of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and co-chair of the international business committee of the same organization

  • Chair of the Logistics Subcomittee of the Asociación de Empresarios Mexicanos  (AEM) Energy Committee

HOBBIES include:

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

  • Cooking: Specializing in live fire and BBQ

  • Reading: Biographies & works on the economic history of World Trade

Carlo Capua

Chief of Strategy and Innovation for the City of Fort Worth

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

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

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

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

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

Carlo Capua

Chief of Strategy and Innovation for the City of Fort Worth

  • Leveraging the Diplomatic Corps to support sister city engagement
  • Friday, 31 May
  • 1:30 PM to 2:45 PM
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Carlo Capua is Chief of Strategy and Innovation for the City of Fort Worth,  the fastest-growing city in the U.S. He is tasked with managing special  projects, global affairs, and large sporting events like the CrossFit Games and  the FIFA World Cup.

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

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

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

Virginia Carefoote

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

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

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

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

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

Virginia Carefoote

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

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

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.

Teresa Garcia Castro

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

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

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

Teresa Garcia Castro

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

  • Immigration in the Americas
  • Friday, 31 May
  • 10:45 PM to 12:00 AM
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Teresa Garcia is the Director of Government Relations for Latin America with Emerson Collective’s Immigration team, where she leads engagement with key Latin American governments to advance migration policies that help manage the unprecedented movement of people. She works with city-level leaders to facilitate collaboration and promote and replicate city-level solutions to displacement at scale. Prior to joining Emerson Collective, Teresa worked at the Open Society Foundations as a Special Advisor and at the Washington Office on Latin America. Teresa has an M.A. in International Relations from the School of International Service at American University and graduated at the top of her class at the Higher Institute of International Relations in Havana, Cuba. In 2023, she was named a Lideres Fellow by Hispanics in Philanthropy.

Ramiro Cavazos

President & CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

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

Ramiro A. Cavazos, President & CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, is a champion for bipartisan solutions that generate wealth to advance economic opportunity for the Hispanic community. With a steadfast commitment to promoting prosperity, Mr. Cavazos has emerged as a prominent advocate for  equitable growth for Hispanics in business.

Prior to his position at the USHCC, he served as the President & CEO of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where he played a pivotal role in fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in the region for more than 10 years. Under his leadership, the organization experienced remarkable growth and was recognized for its impactful work in empowering Hispanic-owned businesses.

His career has spanned a variety of industries, including large corporations, government service and higher education, as well as worked at the City of San Antonio, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Levi Strauss Company and Levi Strauss Foundation, InterContinental
Bank Shares Corporation. He also taught at University of Texas at San Antonio.

A native of Weslaco, TX, Cavazos is chairman of the board for the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility, based in Washington, D.C., that advocates for Fortune 500 companies to invest in more equitable and fair representation for Hispanics on corporate boards and publicly traded companies. He also serves on the board of Sister Cities International, LiftFund, and is a member of Council on Foreign Relations and Bank of America’s National Community Advisory Council. Cavazos has been featured in Fortune, Forbes, Time, Newsweek, CNN, the Associated Press, The Economist, The Washington Post, El País, El Heraldo and many other media outlets. He has also been recognized by Latino Leaders Magazine as one of America’s “101 Most Influential Latinos” for the last six years. In recognition of his work, in 2015 Spain bestowed on him the Order of Isabel the Catholic, its highest award granted to foreigners.

With his innovative approach, Cavazos is shaping the future of the Hispanic business community and contributing to the overall economic vitality of the nation. His vision for USHCC centers on strengthening the bridge between Hispanic businesses and the broader American economic landscape. He continues to be a powerful advocate for policies and initiatives that create a level playing field for Hispanic-owned enterprises, advocating for the interests of more than 5 million Hispanic-owned businesses throughout the U.S.

Cavazos earned his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from St. Mary’s University, where he received the honor of Distinguished Alumnus, and his Bachelor’s Degree in Government from the University of Texas at Austin. A 7th generation Texan, he and his wife Christa are the proud parents
of two teenage boys.

Ramiro Cavazos

President & CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

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

Ramiro A. Cavazos, President & CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, is a champion for bipartisan solutions that generate wealth to advance economic opportunity for the Hispanic community. With a steadfast commitment to promoting prosperity, Mr. Cavazos has emerged as a prominent advocate for  equitable growth for Hispanics in business.

Prior to his position at the USHCC, he served as the President & CEO of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where he played a pivotal role in fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in the region for more than 10 years. Under his leadership, the organization experienced remarkable growth and was recognized for its impactful work in empowering Hispanic-owned businesses.

His career has spanned a variety of industries, including large corporations, government service and higher education, as well as worked at the City of San Antonio, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Levi Strauss Company and Levi Strauss Foundation, InterContinental
Bank Shares Corporation. He also taught at University of Texas at San Antonio.

A native of Weslaco, TX, Cavazos is chairman of the board for the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility, based in Washington, D.C., that advocates for Fortune 500 companies to invest in more equitable and fair representation for Hispanics on corporate boards and publicly traded companies. He also serves on the board of Sister Cities International, LiftFund, and is a member of Council on Foreign Relations and Bank of America’s National Community Advisory Council. Cavazos has been featured in Fortune, Forbes, Time, Newsweek, CNN, the Associated Press, The Economist, The Washington Post, El País, El Heraldo and many other media outlets. He has also been recognized by Latino Leaders Magazine as one of America’s “101 Most Influential Latinos” for the last six years. In recognition of his work, in 2015 Spain bestowed on him the Order of Isabel the Catholic, its highest award granted to foreigners.

With his innovative approach, Cavazos is shaping the future of the Hispanic business community and contributing to the overall economic vitality of the nation. His vision for USHCC centers on strengthening the bridge between Hispanic businesses and the broader American economic landscape. He continues to be a powerful advocate for policies and initiatives that create a level playing field for Hispanic-owned enterprises, advocating for the interests of more than 5 million Hispanic-owned businesses throughout the U.S.

Cavazos earned his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from St. Mary’s University, where he received the honor of Distinguished Alumnus, and his Bachelor’s Degree in Government from the University of Texas at Austin. A 7th generation Texan, he and his wife Christa are the proud parents
of two teenage boys.

Sudeshna Chatterjee

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

  • Sister Cities Spotlight
  • -
  • -

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

Her trajectory then led her to the role of Director-South Asia Development for Bournville College in Birmingham, UK, where she was instrumental in establishing and managing the College’s South Asia operations. Leveraging her profound knowledge in education and skills development, Sudeshna went on to found and manage her own companies in both India and the USA. 
 
Sudeshna’s academic background includes a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Calcutta, and an MBA from the Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad, India. With a wealth of experience and a passion for cross-border collaborations, she continues to drive global engagement initiatives forward in her current role.

Sudeshna Chatterjee

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

  • Sister Cities Spotlight
  • -
  • -
Print

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.

Jonathan "J.J." Childress

Community Engagement Manager, Microsoft, USA

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

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

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

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

Jonathan "J.J." Childress

Community Engagement Manager, Microsoft, USA

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

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.

Chelsea Collier

Founder of Digi.City

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

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

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

Chelsea Collier

Founder of Digi.City

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

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

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

Rachel Connell

President & CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

  • Supply Chains and Transportation in the Americas
  • Friday, 31 May
  • 11:15 AM to 12:30 PM

Rachel has been an integral part of NASCO since 2005, currently holding the position of Vice President. With a passion for fostering connections across North America, she collaborates closely with her NASCO colleagues to develop and implement programs that facilitate meaningful connections among members and partners, fostering business opportunities throughout the continent.

In her role as Vice President, Rachel oversees a wide range of responsibilities, spanning from operational management and advocacy to spearheading marketing campaigns and communications efforts. She meticulously plans and executes meetings, events, and collaborative projects, all aimed at serving NASCO’s members and enhancing the organization’s visibility and success. Notably, Rachel leads the coordination and programming efforts for the annual NASCO Reunion, a flagship event that rotates between the United States, Canada, and Mexico, drawing participation from prominent figures in both the public and private sectors across North America.

Rachel earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations with a minor in Marketing from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Rachel resides in Dallas with her family, where she continues to make a positive impact in both her personal and professional spheres.

Rachel Connell

Vice President of NASCO

  • Supply Chains and Transportation in the Americas
  • Friday, 31 May
  • 11:15 AM to 12:30 PM
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Rachel has been an integral part of NASCO since 2005, currently holding the position of Vice President. With a passion for fostering connections across North America, she collaborates closely with her NASCO colleagues to develop and implement programs that facilitate meaningful connections among members and partners, fostering business opportunities throughout the continent.

In her role as Vice President, Rachel oversees a wide range of responsibilities, spanning from operational management and advocacy to spearheading marketing campaigns and communications efforts. She meticulously plans and executes meetings, events, and collaborative projects, all aimed at serving NASCO’s members and enhancing the organization’s visibility and success. Notably, Rachel leads the coordination and programming efforts for the annual NASCO Reunion, a flagship event that rotates between the United States, Canada, and Mexico, drawing participation from prominent figures in both the public and private sectors across North America.

Rachel earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations with a minor in Marketing from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Rachel resides in Dallas with her family, where she continues to make a positive impact in both her personal and professional spheres.

Caitlin Cowart

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

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

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

Caitlin Cowart

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

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

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.

Ambassador James Creagan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ambassador Creagan speaks Spanish, Portuguese and Italian.

Ambassador James Creagan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ambassador Creagan speaks Spanish, Portuguese and Italian.

Phil Cullen

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

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

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

Phil Cullen

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

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

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

Mario D'Agostino

Deputy City Manager, City of El Paso, USA

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mario D'Agostino

Deputy City Manager, City of El Paso, USA

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

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 Ciudad 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.

Nana John Canoe II (Christopher Davis)

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

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

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

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

Nana John Canoe II (Christopher Davis)

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

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

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.

Joshua Dean

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

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

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

Joshua Dean

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

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

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

Alexa Storzinger

Mayor of North Miami

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mayor Alix Desulme

Mayor of North Miami

  • High Level Mayoral Dialogue - Urban Horizons: Mayor’s Perspectives on Local Priorities and Global Challenges
  • Thursday, 30 May
  • 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM
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Mayor Alix Desulme is a dynamic leader whose dedication to community service shines brightly in every aspect of his public service career. With a heart for giving back, he tirelessly champions the needs of North Miami and South Florida residents, consistently going above and beyond to make a positive impact.

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

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

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

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

Commissioner Laura Dominguez

Miami Beach City Commissioner

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

Laura was born in Miami-Dade County and resides in Miami Beach. She attended local schools and graduated from the University of Miami and Miami-Dade College. She was elected Commissioner in December 2022 when she ran in her late partner’s seat to complete his term. Laura is a business professional who spent her corporate career in strategic, marketing, and account development roles in the tourism industry before launching her digital marketing firm. As Commissioner, she recently sponsored to bring the management of the Sister Cities program back to Miami Beach and helped host one of their Sister Cities including resiliency focused meetings.

Commissioner Laura Dominguez

Miami Beach City Commissioner

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