Proudly presented by Since 1983 Session Two Laredo, Texas 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 Laredo College Heading down Washington Street in downtown Laredo 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 Laredo Bucks 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.