Proudly presented by

Since 1983

Session Two Laredo, May 5-7, 2019

Enlighted Leadership for the Future: Leading in the Lone Star State

Leadership Texas is the longest-running and most successful women’s leadership program in the country. With more than 37 years in action, Leadership Texas puts women on a path to access and learn from influencers across the state – and become one themselves. Participants explore beyond the silos of career, family and local community to focus on and learn about the future of our state and global community.

As a leader today, or an aspiring leader of tomorrow, this innovative program helps women embrace their own powerful journey. Incorporating interactive learning opportunities and engagements with leading edge innovators and subject matter experts across industries and geographies, this is a one-of-a-kind experience. Participants can expect to exponentially broaden their network and understanding of the issues facing Texas and its place in the world. San Antonio, Laredo, Bryan/College Station and Austin – together we will explore each of these communities in unexpected ways.

Join us and:  learn about new leadership models and best practices  deepen your understanding of the unique cultures, resources and opportunities of these Texas communities  broaden your perspective on national issues and challenges  be a part of a diverse, influential network of women and create new collaborative possibilities  be empowered to share your new insights learnings to increase your personal impact at your workplace or community.

Welcome to the enlightened leadership for the future of Texas. Welcome to Leadership Texas 2019!

With Special thanks to the Sponsors of Leadership Women. These corporations believe in helping women advance and achieve.

Appreciation to Our Company Supporter

Appreciation to Our Session Sponsors

Special Thanks to the Laredo Graduates:

Regional Ambassador, Carolyn Schmies, LT’09, LA’16, LI’18 Minita Rameriz, PhD, LT’10 Roseanne Palacios, LT’90 Gina Gonzales, LT’12

Leadership Texas 2019 Session 2 – Laredo, Texas May 5-7, 2019

La Posada Hotel 1000 Zaragoza Street, Laredo, TX 78040 Phone: (800) 444-2099

Sunday, May 5, 2019 Suggested Dress: Business Casual Time/Location Event 12:00 Noon Welcome to Laredo Event with Local Graduates – La Posada, Poolside

1:30 p.m. Registration Available to 2:00 p.m.

2:00 p.m. Welcome & Overview of Session to 2:45 p.m.  Heidi K. Murray, Chief Operating Officer, Leadership Women, Inc.

HEIDI K. MURRAY began her career in programming and special events at the John. F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., working with logistics for international touring companies. From the performing arts arena, she began her 11-year career with Omni Hotels in various events management positions, including Director of Catering and Conference Planning at Omni’s flagship hotel, the Omni Mandalay Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

Time/Location Event Heidi has also served as the National Director of Sales for a destination management company, producing conventions, meetings, and a variety of special events throughout the U.S. Heidi’s work in the hotel business introduced her to Leadership Women and she has remained involved with the organization since graduating from the Leadership Pipeline Class of 2004. She first served as a member of the Leadership Pipeline Committee of the board and was a part-time contractor for Leadership Women before joining the team as the Director of Logistics and Alliances over 10 years ago. Now, she serves as the program director for the Leadership Texas and the Leadership International programs while also providing operational and logistics management for the Leadership America and Leadership Pipeline programs. Heidi has been a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) since 2001 and is active in the meeting planning community, regularly lecturing for Meeting Planners International. She serves as a Director of the Board of Dallas Black Theatre, VisitDallas, the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee – and as the Vice President of her HOA (by far her most challenging role). Heidi is a graduate of the 2015 class of Leadership Dallas, the 2010 class of Leadership Arts and holds an honors degree in communications with a minor in psychology from the University of North Florida.

3:00 p.m. Depart Buses to Heading down Washington Street in toward Laredo College’s original campus takes you back in time to Laredo’s early days. Nestled on the banks of the Rio Grande, the 200-acre site traces its history back to 1849, when Camp Crawford was established to protect Laredo’s frontier. It was later renamed Fort McIntosh, in honor of war hero Lieutenant Colonel James McIntosh. Since 1947, the old fort has been home to the city’s oldest institute of higher education. At the end of World War II, the Laredo Independent School District created Laredo Junior College in 1947 on the site of historic Fort McIntosh to prepare returning soldiers for America’s new workforce. With 13 junior college sophomores achieving their associate in arts diplomas, that first year was the beginning of a long tradition of higher education in Laredo. Today, the college is a two- campus district serving the diverse needs of a growing community. The downtown Fort McIntosh Campus maintains its historic origins, while history begins anew at our South Campus in South Laredo, with contemporary architecture and the latest technology, which opened in the spring of 2004. Our two campuses serve more than 12,000 students each year through a variety of affordable academic programs, technical and vocational programs, non-credit community interest courses, and adult education courses that help area adults obtain English skills, job skills or a General Educational Development diploma. Both campuses serve a three-county area composed of Webb, Jim Hogg and Zapata counties.

3:30 p.m. Welcome to Laredo College – Ft. McIntosh Campus to 3:40 p.m.  Carolyn Morgan Schmies, LT’09, LA’16, LI’18, Dean of South Campus, Harold R. Yeary Laredo College Library and CAROLYN MORGAN SCHMIES was instilled at a very early age the importance of serving Executive her community and coming to the aid of others. She graduated from Anderson University with Conference Center a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and minor in Sociology and received a Master’s Degree in Communication from Ball State University. After teaching in the Indiana Public School system, Carolyn began working with General Motors/Delphi. During her 36 plus years with GM, Carolyn held many positions, including Senior Commodity Manager where she managed purchases for all 44 plants for three commodities. In 1991, she became the Manager of the Indirect Purchasing Organization for Delco Remy, later relocating to Laredo, Texas, where she still lives today. As the first female and first African American to work in the Mexican Operations, Carolyn would later become the Training Manager for the entire Mexican Operations. In addition, Carolyn has served on many organizations and is now the SECC Chairperson of the United Way in Laredo and Laredo College. Previously she has served as Vice President of the Literacy Volunteers of Laredo. Currently Dean of the South Campus at

Time/Location Event Laredo College, she has been a Speech instructor for Laredo College (Laredo Community College) for ten years. Carolyn was recognized in 2014 with the NISOD Award, for her extraordinary work as a teacher and faculty member. Carolyn is also President of Schmies and Associates, where she prepares Motivational Speeches, Training Modules, Executive Coaching and Event Planning. Carolyn is very active in her church, previously serving as Sunday School Superintendent and now as Staff Parish Relations Chairperson. Carolyn is married to Kenneth Schmies. Together they have six children and three grandchildren.

3:45 p.m. Stories from the Top – Betty Flores: First Woman Mayor of Laredo to 4:15 p.m..  Betty Flores, LT’95, LA’07, Former Mayor of Laredo ELIZABETH GARCIA FLORES, better known as BETTY FLORES is a businesswoman who was the first female mayor of Laredo, Texas. She served an unexpired mayoral term when Laredo’s then mayor was appointed undersecretary of HUD, followed by two four-year terms from Feb. 1998 to June, 2006. Mayor Flores was the driving force behind the building of the World Trade Bridge, which brought relief to her community after an enormous increase in truck traffic after the implementation of NAFTA. It was the only promise she made to the people of Laredo, declaring that IH35 within the city limits would once more belong to the people of Laredo. After securing the diplomatic notes and financing for the bridge and its installations she worked with her Mexican counterpart to open the bridge on time and on budget. She is, however, best remembered for bringing a multi-purpose arena to the people of Laredo, the Laredo Entertainment Center, renamed Sames Ford Arena, once the home of the hockey team. Mayor Flores now serves on the Board of The Farm Credit Bank of Texas, a leading source of credit and financial services for rural America for more than 100 years. She is the first woman elected to that Board since the Farm Credit System was created by Congress in 1916. She is Chair of Laredo Mainstreet and has been married to Antonio Flores for 57 years, the Flores’ have one daughter, Cristina and grandson, Antonio.

4:15 p.m. Break to 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. Laredo College – Every Student Counts to 5:00 p.m.  Dr. Marisela Rodriguez, Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs MARISELA RODRIGUEZ is the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs for Laredo College, formerly Laredo Community College. Prior to her role as Provost, Marisela served as Dean of Arts and Sciences. She first began her teaching career at Alexander High School Magnet for Health Science in 2004 as a science teacher, before joining Laredo Community College in 2007 as a Biology Instructor. In 2012, Marisela became the Department Chair for Natural Sciences and Kinesiology at LCC. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, she obtained her BS in Biology and later received her Master’s in Biology with a concentration in Neurobiology from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Marisela received her Doctor of Education al Leadership in Higher Education Administration from at Texas A&M University – Kingsville in 2016.

5:00 p.m. The Impact of Higher Education in a Border Community to 5:30 p.m.  Dr. Ricardo J. Solis, President, Laredo College RICARDO J. SOLIS is the seventh president of Laredo College. Before joining the LC family, Solis served as Executive Dean of Academic, Professional and Technical Education at GateWay Community College in Arizona. He brings to LC 20 years of experience in international trade and workforce development, including establishing partnerships with Mexico’s Ministry of Education. Solis holds a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master of Business Administration degree in international management from the Monterey Institute of International Studies in California, and a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and economics from Trinity University in San Antonio. In addition to his work at GateWay CC, Solis has worked in the Houston Community College System, at

Time/Location Event Texas State Technical College in Harlingen, McLennan Community College in Waco and the Alamo Community College District in San Antonio. Solis follows former president Dr. Juan L. Maldonado, who retired at the end of July after 21 years of service at LC, nine of them as president.

5:30 p.m. Traditions & Celebrations in Laredo: Washington’s Birthday to 6:00 p.m.  Christine “Tina” Holliday Cerda, LT’13, Broker, Laurel Insurance Agency & Associates; President, Society of Martha Washington CHRISTINE HOLLIDAY CERDA (need bio)

6:00 p.m. Dinner at the President’s Home, formerly the Commander’s House to 7:30 p.m.  Hosted by the College President Ricardo Solis and Dr. Sylvia Solis

7:30 p.m. Depart for the Hotel

7:45 p.m. Evening concludes

Monday, May 6, 2019

Suggested Dress: Daytime – Business casual; Resort Casual for the evening’s outside dinner. Time/Location Event 8:00 a.m. Breakfast at the La Posada Hotel to 8:45 a.m. 8:45 a.m. Connecting the Dots Between Demographics, the Workforce and to 10:00 a.m. Immigration  Eddie Aldrete, Senior Vice President, IBC Bank; Board Chair, National Immigration Forum; Chair, Texas Mexico Trade Coalition. EDDIE ALDRETE is the Senior Vice President in charge of Public Affairs. Aldrete monitors local and federal legislation that directly impacts the bank, the financial industry as well as a host of other issues including international trade and immigration reform. He is the bank`s spokesperson related to border related issues in his role as treasurer of the Texas Border Coalition. Aldrete has more than 25 years of experience in strategic communications, media relations and political, governmental and public affairs.

10:00 a.m. Break to 10:15 a.m. 10:15 a.m. Nature of a Bi-National Community – Panel Discussion to 11:30 a.m.  Bradd Skinner, Assistant Director, Field Operations for Trade Operations- Customs & Border Patrol  Sister Rosemary Welsh, LT’95, Executive Director, Casa de Misericordia, Sisters of Mercy  Olivia Varela, Executive Director, Laredo Economic Development Corporation BRADD SKINNER assumed the role of Assistant Director of Trade Operations in 2015. A 33- year veteran of CBP/DHS, Bradd oversees trade operations, including processing of commercial

Time/Location Event trucks, railcars, air carriers as well as entry specialist, import specialist operations at eight ports of entry extending from Brownsville to Del Rio, Texas. This also includes oversight of the Machinery Center of Excellence and Expertise in Laredo. The Laredo Field Office processes the largest amount of land-based commercial truck traffic in the United States with $162 billion in merchandise entering in FY2014 through the 23 crossings, six airports and one seaport which comprise the eight ports of entry. SISTER ROSEMARY WELSH is a native of Springfield, Missouri; she is the youngest of four children born to Thomas and Mildred Welsh. In 1967, after becoming a Registered Nurse and attending to some personal family matters “Rosie Welsh” took a giant leap of faith and sought admission to the Sister of Mercy in St. Louis, Missouri. Sister Rosemary celebrated her Golden Jubilee in 2017. She is a nurse by education and professional choice and loves it, serving in a variety of positions in various Mercy hospitals. Sister Rosemary served as a missionary for 10 years in Guatemala and Southern Mexico in the early ‘80s and ‘90s. Upon returning to the United States in 1992, she was invited by Ernesto “Buddy” Flores, then Administrator of Mercy Medical Center, to return to Laredo and re-establish herself in ministry in Laredo. Sister Rosemary has been in Laredo for over 25 consecutive years serving in various roles and advocating for some of Laredo’s most needy and vulnerable persons. Currently she serves as Director of Outreach Services at Mercy Clinic and Executive Director of Casa de Misericordia. These two positions are supposed to be part-time but everyone who her will tell you that is not the case. Sister Rosemary also visits detainees at the local detention centers, makes home visits, hospital visits and responds to invitations for public speaking. She serves on multiple boards and committees and still manages to keep up here obligations to the religious community. OLIVIA VARELA is the Executive Director of the Laredo Development Economic Development Corporation, a private nonprofit corporation dedicated to the economic and industrial development of Laredo TX. The LEDC promotes and markets Laredo, Webb County and Nuevo Laredo as a dynamic region for global trade and market opportunities for targeted industries. Olivia is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Psychology and she received her Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

11:45 a.m. Load buses for a Tour of the World Trade Bridge to 12:15 p.m. The World Trade International Bridge is one of 4 international bridges located in the cities of Laredo, Texas, and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas that connect the United States and Mexico over the Rio Grande (Río Bravo). The 14 lane bridge is owned and operated by City of Laredo and the Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (Mexico's federal Secretariat of Communication and Transportation). It is also known as Laredo International Bridge 4. The World Trade International Bridge's construction started on September 30, 1998, and the bridge was completed on April 15, 2000. The international bridge was named in honor of a free World Trade market, because international trade is one of the key components to the Laredo / Nuevo Laredo economies. The World Trade International Bridge was built to alleviate traffic congestion in south through Laredo, Texas since most commercial traffic could only cross through the one lane dedicated to commercial vehicles at Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge or the further north Colombia-Solidarity International Bridge in Nuevo León.

12:15 p.m. Depart for Texas A&M International University Western Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) is an international university, poised at the Hemispheric Trade Gateway to Mexico and serving as the cultural and intellectual hub of a vibrant multilingual Center, Room 111 and multicultural community. A Member of The Texas A&M University System, TAMIU 5201 University provides over 7,500 students with a learning environment anchored by the highest quality Blvd. programs built on a solid academic foundation in the arts and sciences. To fulfill its mission, the University offers a range of baccalaureate and masters programs and the

Time/Location Event Doctor of Philosophy degree in International Business. Programs focus on developing undergraduate and graduate offerings with a progressive international agenda for global study and understanding across all disciplines.

12:30 p.m. Welcome to Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) to 12:45 p.m.  Minita Ramirez, PhD, LT’10, Vice President, Division of Student Success, Texas A&M International University

DR. MINITA RAMÍREZ, a Laredo native, holds her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Capella University. Her MS in School Administration was earned at Texas A&M University-Kingsville and her BA in Secondary Education from TAMIU. As VP, Dr. Ramírez oversees a broad spectrum of initiatives for the Office of Recruitment and School Relations, Admissions, Registrar, Financial Aid, Housing, Recreational Sports, Student Counseling, International Programs, Student Orientation and Leadership, and Student Conduct and Community Engagement. Through innovative, culturally sensitive, environmentally aware and community-based recruitment strategies, Dr. Ramírez has helped increase student enrollment and, by extension, Laredo’s intellectual strength. Dr. Ramirez has been part of the TAMIU family in 2001.

12:45 p.m. Lunch with Local Leadership Women Graduates to 2:00 p.m.  Sponsored by TAMIU Special Guest: Raquel Valle Sentíes RAQUEL VALLE SENTÍES is an award-winning artist, poet and playwright. Her poetry has been published in numerous literary magazines and anthologies in the United States and México. Born and raised in Laredo, Raquel lived in Veracrúz, México for 23 years and is the mother of five sons. Her words and art can be found at http://soycomosoyyque.com/

2:00 p.m. Washington Update on the Border to 2:45 p.m.  The Honorable Henry Cuellar, Representative for the 28th District of Texas, U.S. House of Representatives

HENRY CUELLAR was one of eight children born to migrant farm workers in Laredo. Congressman Cuellar was raised with strong family values and an unwavering work ethic to attain an advanced education. As the most degreed member of Congress, he points to education as the platform for his two decades of public service in Texas. After earning his associate’s degree from Laredo Community College, he used the skills and confidence he gained to enroll in Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. While attending Georgetown, he washed dishes and worked other jobs to afford his college degree, graduating from Georgetown Cum Laude. When he returned to Texas, Congressman Cuellar completed a master’s degree in International Trade at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) and earned a law degree and Ph.D. in Government from the University of Texas at Austin. In 1981, Congressman Cuellar opened his own law firm and became a licensed customs broker in 1983. He worked at his beloved alma mater, TAMIU, as an Adjunct Professor for International Commercial Law from 1984 to 1986. The following year, Congressman Cuellar decided to fully dedicate his life to public service and served as a Texas State Representative from 1987 until he was appointed as the Texas Secretary of State in 2001. Congressman Cuellar and his wife, Imelda, reside in Laredo, Texas with their two daughters, Christy and Catie.

2:45 p.m. Break to 3:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Immigration Issues from the Bench to 4:00 p.m.  The Honorable Clay N. Martin, Assistant Chief Immigration Judge, Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)

Time/Location Event  The Honorable Diana Song Quiroga, US Magistrate Judge, US District Court for the Southern District of Texas CLAY N. MARTIN was appointed an assistant chief immigration judge in August 2017. Judge Martin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1984 from Hendrix College and a Juris Doctor in 1987 from St. Mary’s University School of Law. From 2016 to 2017, he served as an immigration judge in Pearsall, Texas. From 2008 to 2016, he served as a senior attorney with the Office of the Chief Counsel, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in San Antonio. From 2002 to 2008, he served as an assistant chief for ICE, DHS, also in San Antonio. From 1995 to 2002, he served as a chief deputy prosecuting attorney for the West Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, State of Arkansas. From 1992 to 1995, he served as an assistant district attorney for the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, in San Antonio. From 1987 to 1991, he was a civil ligation attorney at various private law firms in Texas. Judge Martin is a member of the Arkansas and Texas State Bars. DIANA SONG QUIROGA was appointed by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas on December 20, 2011, a seat vacated by the appointment of then United States Magistrate Judge Diana Saldaña to a district judge position. Judge Song serves in the Laredo Division of the Southern District of Texas.

4:00 p.m. Update on the Governor’s Commission for Women to 4:30 p.m.  Imelda Navarro, LT’95, President of Retail Banking, IBC Bank; Commissioner, Governor’s Commission for Women

IMELDA NAVARRO is the first female president in IBC’s history. In addition to her duties as president, Navarro serves as CFO and COO of IBC Bank, directing the administrative functions of the bank. She is a board member for Mercy Ministries Development Council. She previously served as a director for the Laredo Chamber of Commerce and as president of the Texas A&M International University Alumni Association, Domestic Violence Coalition, Laredo Commission for Women, Financial Women International, and the Laredo Business Professional Women’s Association. Additionally, she is former chairman of the Laredo Center for the Arts and former member of the Mercy Regional Medical Center Advisory Board. Navarro received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Laredo State University.

4:30 p.m. Depart for Hotel

5:00 p.m. Break & Change – Resort Casual to 6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m. Depart for IBC’s Lago del Rio

7:00 p.m. Dinner at Lago del Rio to 8:30 p.m.  Sponsored by IBC Bank

Mines Road, IBC Bank was founded in 1966 to meet the needs of small businesses in Laredo, Texas. Laredo 78045 Today, it serves as the flagship bank of International Bancshares Corporation. Since its opening, IBC Bank has grown from less than $1 million in assets to more than $11.8 billion, making it one of Texas' largest holding companies. We now serve about 89 communities throughout Texas and Oklahoma with over 185 branches and over 285 ATMs providing full service banking seven days a week. At IBC Bank we make banking convenient for our customers by offering late and weekend hours at many of our locations.

8:30 p.m. Depart for Hotel - Evening Concludes

Tuesday, May 7, 2019 Suggested Dress: Travel Attire. Time/Location Event 8:15 a.m. Breakfast Buffet Available

9:00 a.m. From Local to Global: Business Across Borders to 10:00 a.m.  María Eugenia Calderón-Porter, LT’11, LA’12, Assistant Vice President for Global Initiatives and Director of the Bi-National Center, Texas A&M International University MARÍA EUGENIA CALDERÓN-PORTER serves as Asst. Vice-President of Global Initiatives and Director of the Binational Center at Texas A&M International University. Mrs. Calderon-Porter engages in enhancing relationships between the United States and other countries by engaging civic and social organizations and academic institutions through research, education, leadership and public service. She develops programs that train mid and upper level foreign and local administrators and elected officials in the public policy implementation process of USA governments; trains International Non-Profit Organizations in Program sustainability and engages in programs and research that benefit the U.S.A./Mexico Border communities. Ms. Calderon-Porter develops programs with governments to create models that facilitate effective transitions for citizens impacted by regional agreements between countries. As University adjunct faculty she has taught Graduate level Public Administration coursework, as well as State and Federal government classes, in addition to creating International Executive Training Seminars. Ms. Calderon-Porter holds a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Texas A&M International University. Ms. Calderon- Porter lived in Mexico for 25 years; she speaks and reads Spanish fluently.

10:00 a.m. Break to 10:15 a.m. 10:15 a.m. Your Leadership Texas Year to 10:45 a.m.  Linda Crompton, President & CEO, Leadership Women, Inc. LINDA CROMPTON is an international thought leader with a passion for helping women advance personally, financially and professionally. With more than 25 years’ experience in leading organizations to achieve both profitability and mission-driven objectives in various markets, she has served as senior executive, consultant and strategy advisor in nonprofit and for- profit sectors. Linda began her career in the Canadian banking industry in 1987, where she advocated for organizational and regulatory change. In less than 10 years, She made history, becoming Canada’s first female bank president. Linda served as Founding President and CEO of Citizens Bank of Canada in Vancouver from 1996 through 2001. Since 2001, she has called the U.S. home, when she was named President and CEO of the Investor Responsibility Research Center Institute. From 2007 to 2013, Linda was named President and CEO of BoardSource. A lifelong advocate for women, she has used a gender lens in her work to ensure equality and leadership opportunities for women. In the banking industry, Linda spearheaded the creation of Return to Work, a program designed to encourage women to stay engaged with their work while taking maternity leave. As CEO of Citizens Trust, the predecessor to Citizens Bank of Canada, she revised loan criteria in order to level the playing field for female entrepreneurs. Linda has also been a columnist for Woman to Woman magazine and, in more recent years, advocated for more women candidates in corporate board roles. Since 2013, she has been an adviser to organizations wanting to expand their capacity and respond to new market demands. In summer 2015, Linda was named CEO of Leadership Women, where her experience will help the organization expand its role in preparing women to lead in an increasingly global environment.

10:45 a.m. Final Thoughts

to 11:30 a.m.  Heidi Murray, Chief Operating Officer, Leadership Women, Inc.

11:30 a.m. Session Two Adjourns

Session 3 – College Station August 25-27, 2019 The George 180 Century Court, College Station, TX 77840 Reservation Deadline: Room Rates: Thursday, August 1, 2019 Deluxe Rooms - $169.00/night + 15.75% tax

Hotel Reservations: 844-599-3871 Online Reservations: www.thegeorgetexas.com Group Code: LT2845