The Business Week Experience

The Business Week Experience is an annual event that offers students the opportunity to connect with and learn from top business and civic leaders.

Some highlights of the event include the La Quinta Keynote Lecture, moderated panels, and workshops. The Business Week Experience concludes with an awards ceremony that celebrates student, faculty and staff achievements.

This event is a longstanding tradition in the Greehey School of Business. It began in 1975 to connect the classroom to the business world under the guidance of Brother Paul Goelz, S.M., Ph.D., a beloved member of the Society of Mary and the San Antonio business community. Brother Goelz’s vision was to bring real-world leaders to our classrooms to share, not just their expertise, but also their passion for business and community.

While the Greehey School of Business continues to innovate and grow, we have always been committed to the program’s original mission of providing relevant and responsive education that focuses on developing business professionals who are skilled, ethical, globally aware, committed to responsible business practices and prepared for careers of meaning and purpose.

The Business Week Experience allows us to showcase the successes of the Greehey School of Business. It affords local leaders an opportunity to network, renew old connections and give back to the School.

— Rowena Ortiz-Walters, Dean, Greehey School of Business

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The Business Week Experience 2024

Beyond Profit — The Intersection of Business and Societal Impact

Oct. 21 through 24, 2024

Schedule of Events

All events will be held in the Albert B. Alkek Business Building, Atrium, unless otherwise noted.

Monday, Oct. 21

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Student Registration

Tuesday, Oct. 22

8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Registration

9:45 to 11 a.m.
LaQuinta Keynote Speaker and Global Session
Introduction: Rowena Ortiz-Walters, Ph.D., Dean and NuStar Professor of Management
Goodwill: A Century Old Story of Turning Profit into Purpose

Carlos Contreras (B.A. ’81)

President and CEO, Goodwill Industries of San Antonio

Carlos Contreras serves as the President and CEO for Goodwill San Antonio where he is responsible for leading the nonprofit agency in all operational and administrative areas to include the development of the organization’s vision and strategic plans.

Prior to joining Goodwill, Contreras served as the Assistant City Manager for the City of San Antonio where he was responsible for the city’s departments of aviation, convention and sports facilities, economic development, government and public affairs, and Pre-K4SA. Contreras also led government affairs efforts for the San Antonio division of nationwide homebuilder KB Home and engaged in the practice of law for nearly 15 years, with legal concentration on administrative, legislative and regulatory law, as well as corporate and general counseling.

Contreras holds juris doctor and Master of Public Affairs degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and a B.A. in Political Science (1981) from St. Mary’s University. Carlos serves on the Community Advisory Council (CAC) for the Federal Reserve Board and was recently appointed to the Executive Committee of greater: SATX.

Carlos Contreras’ bio

11:10 a.m. to 12:25 p.m.
Faith and Work Session
Introduction: Ajaya Swain, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Quantitative Management
God, Work and Money: What Does Faith Tell Us About the Purposes of Work and Business?

Jason King, Ph.D.

Beirne Director, Center for Catholic Studies, St. Mary’s University

Jason King is Beirne Director of the Center for Catholic Studies at St. Mary’s University. He received his Ph.D. from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. His most recent research focuses on the outcomes of Catholic higher education that go beyond financial earnings.

His publications include Faith with Benefits: Hookup Culture on Catholic Campuses (Oxford University Press, 2017) and coedited Sex, Love and Families: Catholic Perspectives (Liturgical, 2020) with Julie Rubio which received the Catholic Media Association’s 2021 first-place award and the Association of Catholic Press’ 2021 first-place award. He is currently president-elect of the College Theology Society and serves as editor emeritus of The Journal of Moral Theology.

Jason King’s bio

12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
ACE Career Mentoring Program Lunch*
Rowena Ortiz-Walters, Ph.D., Dean, Greehey School of Business
Alkek Business Building, Patio
*by invitation only

1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
ACE Board Meeting*
1:30 to 2 p.m.: Jason Pierce, Ph.D., Provost and Executive Vice President, St. Mary’s University
2 to 3:30 p.m.: Rowena Ortiz-Walters, Ph.D., Dean, Greehey School of Business
Alkek Business Building, Room 233
*by invitation only

1:30 to 3:15 p.m.
Professionalism Session
1:30 to 2 p.m.
Fashion Forward – The Art of Sustainability
Amanda Alarcon-Hunter (B.A.M. ’01), owner, Minx and Onyx Vintage
2 to 3:15 p.m.
Fashion Show – Suit up: From the Runway to the Office
Facilitator: Amanda Alarcon-Hunter

Amanda Alarcon-Hunter (B.A.M. ’01)

Owner, Minx and Onyx Vintage

A San Antonio native, Amanda Alarcon-Hunter has been in the fashion and sustainability industry for more than 30 years and has been designing for herself even longer. She owns several businesses and continues to advocate for slow fashion, design and style, and she accessorizes others daily. As an artist from an early age, her art and design work have always been about empowering the individual.

Alarcon-Hunter loves to work with sustainable goods such vintage clothing, rare and one-of-a-kind vintage textiles, vintage jewelry and accessories, Mid-Century home decor and many other types of antiques and collectibles. She also enjoys collaborating with other artists and designers and has planned and executed many runway fashion shows, high-profile photo shoots and small and large events, along with many philanthropic collaborations and initiatives.

Alarcon-Hunter has a big place in her heart for the environment and as a humanitarian and advocate, her main approach is to bring focus on sustainable slow fashion and goods to the forefront. She has a unique untamed ability to take and design with broken, unwanted, discarded objects and bring them to life! She calls this Object Vertu, which in French means “the love of or taste for curious objects d’art.” Her rare, reworked, reclaimed vintage textiles and accessories are new to the runway for the Untamable Sustainable Fashion Show, a philanthropic initiative. Her works of wearable art are selling worldwide to the modern fashionista, who consciously looks for unique designs and modern trends but who also wants to address the responsibilities of the fashion industry. Her sustainable business continues to grow as she also continues to advocate for more slow fashion awareness in the industry and keep items out of landfills.

“We always encourage sustainability in more ways than one and help keep objects and clothing out of landfills. We only sell and use what is already available, circulating and what has already been in existence for many, many years and we will continue to work this way. Our passion is to work and rework and recreate while making a difference in this lifetime.”

more about Amanda

Amanda Alarcon-Hunter’s bio

4 to 7 p.m.
LaQuinta VIP Reception by invitation only
Open to Business undergraduates, MBA students and business alumni

Wednesday, Oct. 23

9:20 to 10:35 a.m.
Exploring Majors and Career Paths and Inclusive Excellence Session
Leadership Insights into Healthcare and Inclusive Excellence
Introductions: Donna Badowski, DNP, Founding Director of Nursing and Vice Dean of the School of Science, Engineering and Technology
Moderator:

Imelda Guzman (B.B.A. ’01, M.A. ’07)

Division Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, HCA Healthcare

Imelda Guzman, Division Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for HCA Healthcare, supports the San Antonio and Central West Texas Division. Guzman has 20 years of experience in human resources, 17 of those with Methodist Healthcare. During that time, she led human resources for several hospitals and partnerships, including Methodist Hospital | Stone Oak and Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant.

Other accomplishments include leading the human resources process for two major acquisitions and forming the first Leadership Development Institute with Methodist Healthcare. During that time, she helped decrease turnover, improve processes and coach young leaders. She earned a B.B.A. in Management (2001) and an M.A. in Communications (2007) from St. Mary’s University.

Imelda Guzman’s bio

Panelist:

Christine Erevelles, M.D., FACEP

System and Medical Director, US Acute Care Solutions

Christine Erevelles is an emergency physician employed by US Acute Care Solutions and currently serves as the System Medical Director for the nine Baptist Neighborhood Hospital facilities. She is the president of the medical staff for the Baptist Neighborhood Hospitals and has been in that role since 2019.

Erevelles has been practicing as an emergency physician for 31 years. She has held clinical teaching faculty positions and serves on several local and national committees. She works with hospital leadership on the STRAC (South Texas Regional Advisory Council) to help monitor and delineate certain aspects of EMS transport to micro-hospitals and freestanding facilities.

Recently she helped to draft guidelines for transport to such facilities nationwide for US Acute Care Solutions. She is passionate about patient care and believes it is the highest honor and privilege to advocate for and care for patients in the emergency department. She earned her B.S. in Biology from Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania (1986), her M.D. from Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia (1990) followed by completion of an emergency medicine residency at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Christine Erevelles’ bio

10:45 a.m. to Noon
Exploring Majors and Career Paths and Technology Session
Profiting in the Banking Industry: Financially, Socially and Technologically
Moderator: Violeta Diaz, Ph.D., Associate Dean and Jurica Professor of Finance

Panelists:

Erik Luis (B.B.A. ’07)

Executive Director, USAA Federal Savings Bank

Erik M. Luis is the Head of Deposit Servicing at USAA Federal Savings Bank. In this capacity, he leads a team of highly engaged and talented employees to build and manage end-to-end Deposit Servicing experiences for USAA’s members. Additionally, he is responsible for ensuring the team is actively managing and delivering on their risk management commitments.

Luis started his career in USAA’s Future Leaders Program. Throughout his career, he has served in various capacities at USAA, including Finance, Risk Management, Product Management, Operations and Experience Management.

He is an alumnus of St. Mary’s University, graduating with a B.B.A. in Corporate Finance and Financial/Services and Risk Management. Luis was a member of Delta Sigma Pi and Sigma Beta Chi fraternities. He received his MBA from Baylor University and holds several designations, including Certified Product Management (CPM), SAFe Agilist and Six-Sigma Green Belt.

Erik Luis’ bio

Lane Allen

Regional President, Encore Bank

Lane Allen is the Regional President of Encore Bank, where he leads the retail and commercial teams in the San Antonio Market and the Practice Finance Group, which supports dental and veterinary practices across Encore Bank’s seven-state and Southeastern U.S. footprint. Encore Bank is a boutique, commercially focused institution with a presence spanning seven states in the Southeast and Colorado.

Since joining Encore Bank in 2021, Allen has been instrumental in its launch and growth in San Antonio. His entrepreneurial role has involved raising capital, building a team and establishing a physical location. Encore Bank’s assets have grown from approximately $300 million to $4 billion in the time Allen has been with the bank.

With more than 20 years of banking experience, Allen has excelled in building commercial banking groups from the ground up and revitalizing underperforming teams. His career includes roles in both large corporate and regional banks, reflecting his versatile expertise and leadership.

Allen earned his B.B.A. in Marketing from Texas A&M University and an MBA from Southern Methodist University. His career highlights include launching new banking teams and working with underperforming teams to achieve excellence.

Lane Allen’s bio

Jeffrey Landers

Market President-Central, Third Coast Bank

Landers currently serves as Senior Vice President and Market President for Third Coast Bank in San Antonio. Landers began his banking career as a teller while attending college, then worked in multiple departments within community banks and super-regional banks while living in Little Rock, Arkansas. During this time, he gained experience in Residential
Mortgage Banking, Retail Banking and Insurance before moving to the Commercial side of the business in 2011 as a Credit Analyst, before being promoted to Commercial Lender.

In 2013, Landers relocated to San Antonio and joined Wells Fargo as a Business Relationship Manager. While in this position, he has completed the company’s College of Commercial Credit Program in Minneapolis, Minn., and won the prestigious National Golden Spoke award in 2018. In his final role at Wells Fargo, Landers served as VP Middle Market Business Banker and was the primary contact for businesses generating up to $75MM in revenue in San Antonio and the Hill Country.

In 2020, the transition over to Encore Bank was an excited opportunity for Landers to become a shareholder in an emerging bank, raise capital by adding shareholders and have the chance to help build a bank from $0 in Loans and Deposits to what is now a $250MM asset bank in San Antonio. In the first two years of operating in Texas, he was a top producer, led pilot programs to test different lending platforms and software for the bank before implementation, then was asked to create a business banking unit as the bank continued to expand.

Landers’ community involvement includes The Children’s Shelter (board member), Forum for Entrepreneurship Series at St. Mary’s University (board member) and Haiti Education Foundation (board member). He also serves on two School Boards, St. George Episcopal School (Private, JK-8th) and Laurel Heights Weekday School (Preschool).

Jeffrey Landers’ bio

12:20 to 1:35 p.m.
Self-Awareness Session/Workshop
Understanding Your Leadership Potential: The Student Leadership Challenge
Introduction: Nicole Kirpalani, Ph.D., Department Chair and Lecturer of Marketing
Facilitators:
Priscilla Dethmann (B.S. ’01, M.B.A. ’21), Assistant Dean of Students, Alumni and Career Strategy

Priscilla Dethmann, (B.S. ’01, M.B.A. ’21)

Assistant Dean of Students, Alumni and Career Strategy

Gregory Pool, Ph.D.

Professor of Industrial/Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior

1:45 to 3 p.m.
Executive-for-a-Day Sessions

Executive-for-a-Day Session 1:
Introduction: David Sommer, Ph.D., Cheever Chair in Risk Management
Scaling In Venture Capital: Building Value and Managing Risk from Seed to Exit
Room 107

Andy Vargas-Hernandez (B.B.A. ’14)

Co-Founder and Managing Partner, No Border Ventures

Vargas-Hernandez is the Co-Founding Partner and Managing Director of No Border Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm. With 10 years of experience working in big tech, venture capital, energy, and the financial services industry, his roles have included venture investing, capital markets, operations, investor relations, strategy, valuation, capital markets, treasury, program management, and renewable energy trading.

Most recently, Vargas-Hernandez has worked for several venture capital firms (Roble Ventures, Laconia Capital Group, and M1C), where he has led due diligence, fundraising, market research, sourcing, and the build of analytic capabilities. Before venture capital, Vargas-Hernandez worked for Amazon Web Services and focused on the largest private pricing deals for Amazon Web Services (AWS). executing over 150+ deals for a total value of $70B+. In this role he served as the lead for enterprises migrating to the AWS cloud platform.

Prior to his global deal strategy and deals desk finance role, he worked in an operator role in the Treasury Business Operations Team at Amazon. He managed all cash operations in North America and South America, helping establish Amazon’s first in-house LLM model and overdraft lines program and was the lead negotiator in the establishment of their credit lines. He began his career in renewable trading and later transitioned to capital markets at Marathon Petroleum Corporation (a.k.a. Andeavor). He supported capital restructuring, M&A, investor relations, cash forecasting, credit and due diligence.

Vargas-Hernandez remains an active member of his communities. He currently serves on the board of the Wharton Hispanic-American MBA Association (WHAMBA) and Wharton’s Human Capital Club (WHCC). He is a mentor for the Techstars Program. Vargas-Hernandez co-founded the Pacific Boys Rowing Club in Seattle, a nonprofit organization that helps underrepresented children in the community with resources and clothing.

Vargas-Hernandez holds an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a B.B.A. in Corporate Finance from St. Mary’s University.

Andy Vargas-Hernandez’ bio

Executive-for-a-Day Session 2:
Introduction: Hong-Hee Lee, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Quantitative Management
The Power of Purpose: Leveraging Data and Philanthropy for Business Impact
Room 105

Elyse Bernal

Vice President for Mission and Philanthropy, The Livestrong Foundation

Elyse Alaniz Bernal brings more than 15 years of distinguished nonprofit leadership and experience. Currently, she serves as the Vice President of Mission and Philanthropy at the Livestrong Foundation, a renowned national nonprofit based in Austin, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for cancer survivors.

Previously, Bernal was the President and CEO of Any Baby Can in San Antonio, where she championed services for children with disabilities and their families. She also held the position of Executive Director at Susan G. Komen San Antonio, where her leadership was instrumental in expanding the organization’s programs and impact. Bernal’s achievements have been recognized with the 2023 San Antonio Business Journal 40 Under 40 honor. Above all, she is the proud mother of a spirited 6-year-old, Xan.

Elyse Bernal’s bio

Executive-for-a-Day Session 3:
Introduction: Zecong Ma, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing
Creative Marketing Solutions: Insights from Data and Entrepreneurial Strategies
Room 108

Sonia Cisneros (B.A. ’02)

Owner, Tru Branding

Born and raised in San Antonio, Cisneros has always been proud of her Hispanic culture. Growing up in a traditional family, we had many challenges to overcome.

As a young mother entering St. Mary’s University in 1997, she was not a traditional college student. She graduated with a B.A. in Criminal Justice and started working at the University Bookstore as a General Merchandise Buyer. Education gave her the gift of learning new concepts and meeting some of the most influential people in her life.

Despite the daily grind of life challenges, she was able to fulfill her dream of becoming an owner of a promotional product business. In November of 2018, she established Tru Branding, giving her the ability to not only grow personally and professionally but also to give back to the San Antonio community. Recently, she graduated from the 2021 Alex Briesno Leadership Development Program, becoming a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, as well as a member of the Inspiring Women’s Club of San Antonio. She donates to numerous nonprofits throughout the city to raise funds and scholarships for the city’s underprivileged youths.

She understands the importance of creating a pathway of success for young women. Cisneros is committed to continuing to praise the importance of family, friends and faith, as the strengths of those relationships strongly correlate to our success.

Sonia Cisneros’ bio

Executive-for-a-Day Session 4:
Introduction: Jeff Johnson, Ph.D., Jurica Professor of International Business
The Art of Global Negotiation
Room 106

David Fonseca

CEO, Jockey Ventures

With more than a decade of global experience in venture capital, angel investing, company building and ecosystem development, Fonseca is the CEO of EquityX — transforming small businesses into thriving communities through employee ownership.

As part of his entrepreneurial journey, Fonseca invested in and became a partner in a company that distributes Bioxiplas, an innovative biodegradable plastic manufacturer. He spearheaded the company’s expansion into the U.S. market, establishing a client base in Miami and driving significant growth in business by managing inventory, logistics and operations. This experience further fueled his passion for sustainable business solutions and international growth.

Previously, he served as CEO of VelocityTX, leading innovation efforts in San Antonio’s 10-acre Downtown Innovation District. Fonseca successfully managed multi-million-dollar initiatives, collaborating with the Economic Development Administration (EDA), the City of San Antonio, UT Health and the U.S. military.

David Fonseca’s bio

3:25 to 4:40 pm
Technology Session
Blockchain for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030
Introduction: Jialin Zhao, Ph.D., Associate Dean and Pryor Chair in Finance and Quantitative Management

Seongbae Lim, Ph.D.

Professor of Information Systems Management

6 to 8:45 p.m. (Virtual)
Introduction: Ying “Caroline” Chen, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Accounting
Exploring Majors and Career Paths and Technology Session
How I Use My MBA to Create a Successful Social Impact Business – Virtual Workshop

Marcos Bosche (B.S. ’07)

Senior Solution Architect and Client Partner, Nymbl

Marcos Lacayo Bosche has firsthand experience with the frustration of witnessing widespread social and health care issues. He has dedicated his career to developing solutions that address these critical problems. Bosche graduated from St. Mary’s University with a degree in Industrial Engineering. He later earned a master’s in health care administration from Texas State University and completed a post-graduate Health Care Management Program from INCAE business school.

After working for multinational companies such as UPS and Toyota, Bosche realized his true passion lay in healthcare and entrepreneurship, where he could make a significant social impact. Bosche founded Estacion Vital, a health care social impact platform that provided free preventive services to underserved communities in LATAM. With partnerships from significant organizations like Philips and Movistar, Estacion Vital reached over half a million users and received grants to support its mission.

Bosche’s ability to merge engineering with social entrepreneurship has been critical to the platform’s success. As a recognized leader in health care innovation, Bosche has been named a Fellow by Ashoka, Agora, and CAHi. Forbes Magazine has also recognized him as one of the top entrepreneurs in LATAM two years in a row.

Marcos Bosche’s bio

Thursday, Oct. 24

9:45 to 11 a.m.
The Role of Entrepreneurship in Societal Impact
Moderator: Sergio Palacios, Ph.D., Director, Algur H. Meadows Center for Entrepreneurial Studies
Panelists:

David Fonseca

CEO, Jockey Ventures

With more than a decade of global experience in venture capital, angel investing, company building and ecosystem development, Fonseca is the CEO of EquityX — transforming small businesses into thriving communities through employee ownership.

As part of his entrepreneurial journey, Fonseca invested in and became a partner in a company that distributes Bioxiplas, an innovative biodegradable plastic manufacturer. He spearheaded the company’s expansion into the U.S. market, establishing a client base in Miami and driving significant growth in business by managing inventory, logistics and operations. This experience further fueled his passion for sustainable business solutions and international growth.

Previously, he served as CEO of VelocityTX, leading innovation efforts in San Antonio’s 10-acre Downtown Innovation District. Fonseca successfully managed multi-million-dollar initiatives, collaborating with the Economic Development Administration (EDA), the City of San Antonio, UT Health and the U.S. military.

David Fonseca’s bio

Mari Zavala-Lopez (B.B.A. ’15, M.B.A. ’17)

Director of Partnerships, Geekdom

Zavala-Lopez is an accomplished leader who has demonstrated her ability to innovate and drive success across various leadership roles. Currently, she serves as the Director of Partnerships at Geekdom in San Antonio, Texas, a position she has held since March 2023. In this role, Zavala-Lopez has developed and implemented partnership strategies that have significantly enhanced Geekdom’s collaborative efforts. Her responsibilities include cultivating and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, identifying and pursuing funding opportunities, collaborating with internal teams to align partnership goals with organizational objectives, and serving as a liaison between Geekdom and external partners to ensure mutual success.

Zavala-Lopez has achieved significant milestones at Geekdom, including securing a substantial contract with the City of San Antonio within the first 6 months and successfully managing and operating LaunchSA, valued at $1.7 million. She also achieved an additional funding milestone of $600k+ within 9 months, showcasing her proactive approach to securing financial support for Geekdom. Her efforts have been pivotal in establishing Geekdom as a key player in the local business ecosystem, strengthening relationships with external partners, and fostering a culture of strategic partnerships.

Before her role at Geekdom, Zavala-Lopez served as Executive Director of Maestro Entrepreneur Center from February 2020, where she implemented programs that provided valuable assistance to small businesses in San Antonio. During her tenure, she established key partnerships and led the center through significant growth, including launching the Buy Local Grow SA database with the City of San Antonio and Bexar County.

In 2019, under Zavala-Lopez’s leadership, Maestro Entrepreneur Center saw an increased number of participants, reaching 3,359, and a rise in incubating individuals and vendors to 142. During the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, she pivoted the center to remain open for essential businesses and initiated a Weekly Webinar Series with over 30 sessions from 68 subject matter experts, attracting 3,362 participants. She also spearheaded Maestro’s Emergency Relief Grants, providing immediate support to those in need and partnering with Bexar County to provide 56 grants of $15,000 for small business owners.

Before joining Maestro Entrepreneur Center, Zavala-Lopez served as Assistant Director for the Harvey Najim Center at St. Mary’s University, connecting students with local business owners for experiential learning opportunities. She has also worked as a marketing analyst on the creative services and branding team at Rackspace and as a portfolio manager at a local boutique wealth management firm. Zavala-Lopez holds two Bachelor’s degrees – in Corporate Finance and Finance and Risk Management – and completed her Master of Business Administration from St. Mary’s University in December 2017.

Mari Zavala-Lopez’s bio

Alejandra Zertuche (B.S. ’08, M.B.A. ’12)

CEO, Enflux

Alejandra Zertuche is an interdisciplinary scientist and the Chief Executive Officer of Enflux, an ed-tech startup that transforms educational data into actionable insights to improve decision-making that impacts student outcomes and success.

Zertuche’s areas of expertise include investigating problems with the performance of processes, finance, statistics, biomedical informatics, and academic assessment and accreditation. She serves as a Director for TransPecos Banks, was recognized as a San Antonio Business Journal 40 under 40, and a Texas Top 50 Women to Watch by The Society Diaries.

She is the leading subject-matter expert leading the commercialization of the company’s academic intelligence platform. Prior to Enflux, Zertuche worked in Academic Assessment at the University of the Incarnate Word, where she became a recognized leader in accreditation and assessment.

Alejandra Zertuche’s bio

Lorenzo Gomez

Community Building, Author and Public Speaker

Lorenzo Gomez III is a community builder, author, and speaker who has significantly contributed to San Antonio’s tech and entrepreneurial landscape. As a former director at Rackspace Technology and co-founder of Geekdom, he helped local startups raise over $422M and create nearly 2,500 jobs. Gomez also co-founded WeTree, a mental health engagement app, and the 80|20 Foundation, which invests in the city’s workforce and entrepreneurs. As its executive director, he spearheaded initiatives like Students + Startups and San Antonio Startup Week and helped establish the UTSA School of Data Science downtown.

Gomez’s impact extends to his work as a trusted advisor to Graham Weston, co-founder of Rackspace, where he helped develop the 80|20 Foundation. He also co-founded Tech Bloc, an advocacy group for San Antonio’s tech economy.

An accomplished author, Gomez has written three Amazon bestsellers —Cilantro Diaries, Tafolla Toro, and The Rack We Built — the latter two winning the 2021 International Latino Book Awards. His books detail his journey from humble beginnings to success, his middle school struggles in a high-crime neighborhood, and the rise of Rackspace from a startup to a billion-dollar company. Deeply passionate about San Antonio, Gomez’s mission is to create opportunities for future generations in his hometown.

Lorenzo Gomez’s bio

11:10 a.m. to 12:25 p.m.
Societal Impact and Culture Session
OneSATX: Weaving Cultural Heritage into San Antonio’s Transformative Future
Introduction: Gregory Pool, Ph.D., Professor of Industrial/Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior

Jenna Saucedo-Herrera (B.B.A. ’09)

President and Chief Executive Officer, Greater: SATX

Jenna Saucedo-Herrera is the President and CEO of Greater:SATX, the leading regional economic partnership responsible for growing and diversifying the eight-county San Antonio-New Braunfels metropolitan area. In this role, Saucedo-Herrera and her team collaborate closely with regional businesses and public sector partners to recruit new companies, foster global business relationships, support local company growth and develop the local talent pipeline.

During her tenure leading San Antonio’s economic development efforts, Greater has secured more than 32,000 new jobs and $7.3 billion in capital investment through recruitment and expansion projects, including companies such as JCB, Ernst & Young, Victory Capital, Navistar and Aisin.

Saucedo-Herrera has been recognized with numerous awards, including the “2015 Women in Leadership Award” and the “2017 40 Under 40: Woman of the Year Award” from the San Antonio Business Journal. She was also featured in the San Antonio Express-News’ “2016 Women Who Run San Antonio” and named in CultureMap’s “Top Texans Under 30.”

She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing Management from St. Mary’s University and is a member of the Texas Women’s Forum, the Texas Lyceum and the International Women’s Forum.

Saucedo-Herrera serves on several community boards and councils, including Visit San Antonio (2022 Chair), BioBridge Global, San Antonio Medical Foundation, UP Partnership, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) Advisory Trustee and Texas Biomed.

Jenna Saucedo-Herrera’s bio

12:35 to 1:50 p.m.
Global Session/Workshop
Engaging as Global Citizens
Introduction: Siti (Aqilah) Binte Jahari, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Marketing
Stella Silva. Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Inclusive Excellence
With an ever-increasing diverse workforce and the high probability of working and engaging with people from different backgrounds, it is critical that we maintain and enhance a global citizenship skillset to thrive in a global society. This workshop will introduce the skills needed to engage positively as a global citizen
This session will be in the University Center, Mengler Conference Room.

Stella Silva, Ph.D.

Associate Vice President for Inclusive Excellence

1 to 4 p.m.
Professionalism Session
Business Week Career Trek
Facilitator: Lindsey Kowalik, Senior Director, Career and Professional Development Center
Visit to Methodist Hospital
Registration via Handshake required

2 to 3:15 p.m.
Team Challenge Session
Faculty Feud
Moderator:
Kethry Tiggs, Greehey School of Business
Panelists:
Teri Beam, Ph.D., Dean, School of Science, Engineering and Technology
Nancy LaGreca, Ph.D., Dean, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Rowena Ortiz-Walters, Ph.D., Dean, Greehey School of Business
Zoe Niesel, J.D., Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, St. Mary’s University School of Law

6 to 9 p.m.
Chevron Business Week Awards Dinner by invitation only
Old San Francisco Steakhouse
10223 Sahara Dr., San Antonio, TX 78216

The Business Week Experience 2023

Celebrating 100 Years of Business Education at St. Mary’s University

Tuesday, Oct. 24

La Quinta Keynote Lecture: The Future of Work, the Workforce and Workplaces: The Next Decade and Beyond
9:45 to 11 a.m. | University Center, Conference Room A
Introduction by Rowena Ortiz-Walters, Ph.D., Dean, Greehey School of Business

Amar Maletira

Chief Executive Officer, Rackspace Technology

Rackspace Technology Chief Executive Officer Amar Maletira is a customer-focused global business leader with more than 25 years of strategic and operational management, transformational leadership, sales, business development and general management expertise.

Maletira joined Rackspace Technology in November 2020 as President and Chief Financial Officer, bringing broad technology industry experience in finance. As CFO, he led worldwide finance and accounting, and our global shared services organization within Rackspace Technology, which includes IT, India services center, security, workplace operations, supply chain and transformation office.

Before joining Rackspace Technology, Maletira held successful positions as Executive Vice President and CFO at VIAVI Solutions, Inc., a publicly held technology company. Prior to VIAVI, Maletira served as Vice President and CFO of Americas Enterprise Services at Hewlett-Packard (HP), a $7 billion business. During his time at HP, he held a series of executive positions, including CFO for Application Services, Global Head of Financial Planning and Analysis and Director of Investor Relations. Before HP, Maletira led sales teams at Siemens and HCL-Picker in India.

Maletira was named the CFO of the Year by Silicon Valley Business Journal in 2016. He was ranked the #1 CFO in TMT Mid-Cap by investors and analysts surveyed by Institutional Investor Magazine in 2019.

He holds a B.S. in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Karnataka University in India, and an MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.

Amar Maletira bio

Societal Impact Session: The Increasing Importance of Doing Good for the Future Workforce and Workplace
11:10 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. | University Center, Conference Room A
Introduction by Rowena Ortiz-Walters, Ph.D., Dean, Greehey School of Business

Kim Jefferies

President and Chief Executive Officer, Haven for Hope

Kim Jefferies is the President and CEO of Haven for Hope of Bexar County where she has worked since November 2021.  Jefferies previously worked at Brighton Center for 21 years, leading the organization as its CEO for more than 15 years.  Jefferies has worked in the nonprofit industry for the past 24 years. She has served as a community leader for The Nonprofit Council, United Way, Headstart, Autism Lifeline Links, as a mentor for the San Antonio Area Foundation and various other roles over the years. Jefferies was also named as a Top 40 Under 40 (2012), a Woman of Impact (2020), and a Top CEO (2021) by the San Antonio Business Journal. 

Jefferies holds a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a specialization in Reading and a Minor in Business Administration. She holds an M.S. in Nonprofit Leadership from Our Lady of the Lady University. Jefferies recently achieved an Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School for Executive Education.

Jefferies is married to her husband, Cory, and they have two daughters. Kayleigh (24) and Kamryn (20). Jefferies enjoys the outdoors, including hiking, horseback riding, raising chickens and loves to garden. The Jefferies spend their summers on the lake or at the beach and their winters in the mountains. The Jefferies have a dog in addition to their seven chickens.

Kim Jefferies bio

Suit Up: From the Runway to the Office
2 to 3:15 p.m. | Albert B. Alkek Business Building, Atrium
Co-Moderated by Donna James-Spruce, Contreras Executive-in-Residence for Risk Management, and Guillermo Martinez, J.D., Visiting Assistant Professor of Marketing

Panel Session: Accounting for New Classes of Assets in Finance
3:25 to 4:40 p.m. | University Center, Conference Room A
Moderated by Violeta Diaz, Ph.D., Professor of Finance

Carl Crawford

Executive Director, Corporate Accounting, Valero

Carl Crawford graduated with a B.B.A. in Accounting in 1998 and an MBA in Finance in 2001 and holds an active CPA license.  He started his career at Valero as an intern in May 1997 and is currently the Executive Director of Corporate Accounting.  In his current role, he oversees the accounting related to capital assets, consolidations and eliminations, general and administrative expenses and accounting for various environmental credit obligations.  Outside of Valero, Crawford is an avid cyclist and the captain of the Velo Valero cycling team.  He uses his time cycling to support various charitable causes, including the National Multiple Society, Alzheimer’s and Galveston Bay Foundation.  He lives here in San Antonio with his wife, two daughters, two dogs and two horses. 

Carl Crawford bio

Patsy Valenzuela

Senior Manager, Assurance and Advisory, Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP

Patsy Valenzuela graduated with a B.B.A. in Accounting from St. Mary’s University in 2005. While attending St. Mary’s, Valenzuela participated in Accounting Club and Student Government Association and played trumpet and euphonium in the Concert Band.

She is an Assurance and Advisory Senior Manager at Frank, Rimerman + Co LLP. Located in Silicon Valley, the firm client base includes tech startups and venture-backed, growing companies. With 16 years of experience in public accounting, Valenzuela leads audits for small to mid-size privately held companies in a variety of industries, including Software as a Service (SaaS), inventory-based businesses and construction companies and those with international operations. She is also a former internal auditor for one of the nation’s largest homebuilders. She is an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. She is also a Certified Information Technology Professional and a Certified Internal Auditor.

Patsy Valenzuela bio

Steve Dziuk

Private Wealth Investor, President, Mesquite Wealth Management Group

Steve Dziuk earned a B.A. in Finance Services and Risk Management from St. Mary’s University. From 1985-1989, Dziuk worked at USAA in claims and investment management before joining Ameriprise Financial in 1989, where he still works.

Dziuk is a CFP® Certified Financial Planner and Chartered™ and CRPC™ Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™. His awards and recognitions include Ameriprise Chairman’s Advisory Council (2016-2018), Five Star Wealth Manager (2012, 2014, 2016, 2023), Ameriprise Circle of Success (2011-2022), Financial Times 400 Top Financial Advisers (2018), Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors (2019-2023), and AdvisorHub Fast Growing Advisors to Watch (2023).

His volunteer activities include as Falls City ISD School Board Trustee, Falls City Education Foundation President, and St Mary University Alumni Association Board Member and past Treasurer.

Steve Dziuk bio

La Quinta VIP Networking Reception
6 p.m. | Albert B. Alkek Business Building, Atrium
By invitation only

Wednesday, Oct. 25

Panel Session: Global Workplaces and Global Workforces: New Considerations
9:20 to 10:35 a.m. | University Center, Conference Room A
Moderated by Jeff Johnson, Ph.D., Professor of International Business

Zack Valdez, Ph.D.

Chief of Staff, Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains, United States Department of Energy

Prior to joining the Manufacturing Energy Supply Chain Office as Chief of Staff,  Zack Valdez developed policy strategy at the Office of Advanced Manufacturing within the National Institutes of Standards and Technology. Valdez has extensive experience with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math engagement with national non-profits and a background in the private energy sector. He is an alumni of the prestigious American Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology Policy Fellowship, where he served on the Energy and National Resources Committee of the U.S. Senate. Valdez received his academic degrees in his native state of Texas with a Ph.D. from Baylor University and Engineering and Physics B.S. degrees from St. Mary’s University. 

Zack Valdez bio

Gerardo Galván

Former North American General Manager, Topo Chico

A visionary and entrepreneur who leads New Market Development Group, a boutique consulting group helping companies reach success in different ways, Gerardo Galván is on the hunt to help companies create similar “Topo Chico Business Cases” in the world. While successfully developing Topo Chico Mineral Water in the U.S. as President from 2000 to 2023, Galván helped the company reach #1 at Nielsen AMC (Imported Sparkling Mineral Water Category). In 2003, he developed and pitched the Coca-Cola Nostalgia Project to CCE (aka Coca-Cola Mexicana or Mexican Coke).

Prior, Galván held sales, operation and marketing roles in the Coca-Cola Export Corporation in Mexico from 1986-1994 and was a consultant for The Coca-Cola Company for Latin America from 1994 to 1997 before leading the Topo Chico brand in Mexico (from 1997-2000) at Arca Continental (Grupo Procor).

Galván holds a doctorate honoris causa from UMED, an MBA from Cornell’s SC Johnson College of Business, an MBA from Smith School of Business at Queens University, Canada, a Bachelor of Business Administration from University of Monterrey, and a Leadership Program Certificate from IPADE Business School in Mexico).

Gerardo Galván Bio

Armen Babajanian

Chief Executive Officer, World Affairs Council of San Antonio

Armen Babajanian currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the World Affairs Council of San Antonio. Babajanian was most recently the Chief Operations Officer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas.  He was born and raised in Los Angeles, California.  He attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in political science and developmental psychology.  He completed his Masters in Political Science from the University of Texas, San Antonio (UTSA).  Babajanian worked for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Houston for two years before moving to Kerrville in 2003 to restart and run operations for Big Brothers Big Sisters serving Kerr County.  In 2009, Babajanian relocated to San Antonio to continue to work with Big Brothers Big Sisters and focus on communications, marketing, partnerships and public relations, as VP of External Communications.  In 2014, Babajanian relocated to Warsaw, Poland, to help start and sustain the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Poland affiliate as their Executive Director.   

Babajanian has also been a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer, worked for Head Start and has been a Big Brother mentor to Tyler and Jesse.  Finally, Babajanian has been involved with the Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce as an Ambassador, was on the committee for Kerrville’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and on the Former Texas Rangers Foundation committee.  He has served on the Education and Workforce Committee for the San Antonio Greater Chamber of Commerce, a member and Board Member of the Rotary Club, a Board Member on the Nonprofit Council and was actively involved with the American Chamber of Commerce of Poland.

Armen Babajanian Bio

Future Leaders Series: Faculty Session — Defining You as a Fearless Leader
10:45 a.m. to Noon | Alkek Business Building, Atrium
Introduction by Gregory Pool, Ph.D., Professor of Graduate Industrial Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior
RSVP required by emailing lgarcia18@stmarytx.edu by Oct. 16.

Kathy McAfee

Executive Coach and Author, Kmc Brand Innovation, LLC

Kathy McAfee is a professional speaker, author and executive coach and mentor who works with organizations who want stronger more diverse leadership pipelines, and with professionals who want to be outstanding in their field.  Known as America’s Marketing Motivator, McAfee specializes in the arts of fearless leadership, high-engagement presentations, effective networking, and strong personal branding.

Learn more about Kathy at her website

Learn more about her signature program

Connect with Kathy on LinkedIn

Kathy McAfee bio

Future Leaders Series: Student Session — Exploring your Major and Career through StrengthsFinder
10:45 a.m. to noon | University Center, Conference Room A
Introduction by Guillermo Martinez, J.D., Visiting Assistant Professor of Marketing

Yesenia Marili Smith

Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and Founder, All Y’all Consulting, LLC

Yesenia Smith graduated with a B.B.A. in Marketing from St. Mary’s University in 2005. While attending St. Mary’s, Smith served as President of Alpha Phi Omega, played the clarinet in the Jazz Band and completed a four-year work-study with the Army ROTC department.

With over 16 years of experience in commercial real estate (CRE) marketing, research, and leadership, Smith is passionate about developing and encouraging people. As the National Director of Learning and Development (L&D) at Transwestern, she creates and implements L&D initiatives that raise team member competencies, improve efficiencies, and build leadership skills across the organization. She proudly serves on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Training Committee at Transwestern and is committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and empowerment.

Smith is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, providing strengths-based coaching and mentoring for communities and organizations. She works from a perspective rooted in natural talents, and helps individuals and teams discover and maximize their strengths. Smith’s top five strengths are: Individualization, Strategic, Maximizer, Relator, and Achiever.

All Y’all Consulting, LLC is a strengths-based consulting, strategy, marketing and mentoring firm offering bespoke workshops for teams that want to thrive, founded by Smith in 2022 after a decade of coaching for internal teams and industry networking organizations. Yesenia’s professional experience in mentoring, corporate marketing, branding, design, and sales spans over two decades.

Yesenia Marili Smith bio

Executive-for-a-Day Sessions
1:45 to 3 p.m. | Alkek Business Building (Various Rooms)

“Research and Technology as Foundations for Entrepreneurship” | Alkek Business Building, Room 101

Rene Dominguez, President and Chief Operating Officer, Texas Research and Technology Foundation

Rene Dominguez is President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Texas Research and Technology Foundation (TRTF), a leading non-profit economic development organization established in 1984, and its subsidiary VelocityTX. TRTF strongly champions the long-term community goal of supporting commercialization and entrepreneurial development, strengthening and supporting our military missions and serving as a driver of the life sciences innovation ecosystem in San Antonio.

Prior to his position with TRTF, Dominguez was appointed Director of the International and Economic Development Department for the City of San Antonio. For a decade, Dominguez was responsible for the implementation of the City of Antonio’s economic development strategy including the Industry Development, Small Business, Workforce and International Development Divisions.

Dominguez came to the City from the Community Development Loan Fund (CDLF), a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), where he was President and CEO promoting economic development and small business growth. Before that, he worked at St. Mary’s University in various positions, ending his tenure as Executive Director of Development.

Rene Dominguez bio

Introduction by Zecong Ma, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing

“Authentic Leadership: The Secret Tool to Succeeding in the New Workplace” | Alkek Business Building, Room 103

Tom Grothues, St. Mary’s University Trustee and President, Tom G Consulting

Tom Grothues was a Senior Vice President at USAA, wrapping up a 30-year career in 2020.  Grothues held senior executive leadership positions across many disciplines including sales, service, marketing, product management, and culture transformation.  Grothues is a 1991 (B.B.A.) and 1997 (MBA) graduate of St. Mary’s. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for St. Mary’s University, as well as the Vice Chair of the Greehey School of Business Advisory Council of Executives.

While mostly retired, Grothues currently serves as a part-time Program Director for The Conference Board, a global non-profit think tank, facilitating a group of senior customer experience executives (CX) from across diverse industries, sharing best practices and innovative thinking in the CX space.  He is also a board member of the Children’s Chorus of San Antonio, a community-based musical non-profit organization.  Grothues is married to Yvonne Grothues (St. Mary’s 1990) and they have an adult daughter, Caroline, who lives in San Diego.

Tom Grothues bio

Introduction by Richard Priesmeyer, Ph.D., Emil C.E. Jurica Distinguished Professor of Management

“Innovation’s Role in Creating Experiences for the Future Customer” | Alkek Business Building, Room 105

Amela Ciric, Executive Vice President, Innovation, Customer Experience and Transformation, Broadway Bank

Amela Ciric joined Broadway Bank in March 2017 as a member of the executive leadership team. She serves as EVP, iNext Leader and has responsibility for innovation, customer experience, transformation, and consumer digital channel.

Prior to joining Broadway Bank, she worked at USAA and served as the Chief of Staff to the Bank President. She led operational and strategic planning for USAA Federal Savings Bank and was responsible for prioritizing and coordinating the bank’s run-the-business deliverables and executing key projects related to enterprise-wide initiatives including strategic and operational planning, Board of Directors meetings, as well as President’s internal and external engagements. Amela also served as Director of CEO Communications and led operational planning in support of the USAA CEO, the Board of Directors and internal engagements with almost 30,000 employees and leaders.

Prior to joining USAA, Amela worked at World Savings and Wachovia and held various senior leadership positions in mortgage servicing, underwriting, product development, project management, operational analysis and budgeting.

She attended St. Mary’s University on a volleyball and basketball scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance.

Amela Ciric Bio

Introduction by Sergio Palacios, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Management

“Looking at Taxes From a New Perspective” | Alkek Business Building, Room 107

Rudy Gonzalez, Director, State and Local Tax, VACO

Rudy brings nearly 20 years’ experience providing exceptional client service around state and local tax advisory services. Prior to joining Vaco, Gonzalez worked with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, transitioned to a state and local tax consulting role with a Certified Public Accounting firm, and later managed an indirect tax department for a publicly-traded Fortune 500 retailer and a publicly-traded fuel wholesaler.

His experience includes strategically managing multi-state and local sales and use tax audits and protests, researching complex state and local tax issues, performing voluntary disclosure agreements, creating and implementing (SOX) controls and processes surrounding transaction taxes (FAS 5/ASC 450), optimizing tax calculation models, systems and tax preparation, along with authoring tax technical memoranda.

Gonzalez has been a speaker at various industry conferences and CPE events, and has published several articles regarding Texas sales and use tax and franchise tax. Gonzalez holds a B.B.A. in Accounting from St. Mary’s University and an M.S. in Accounting from the University of the Incarnate Word. Gonzalez is a member of the Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT) and has achieved his Certified Member of the Institute designation (CMI) in sales and use tax.

Rudy Gonzalez bio

Introduction by Valerie Ballesteros, D.B.A., Instructor of Finance

Future Leaders Series: Student Session — Creating a Fearless Leadership Mindset
3:25 to 4:40 p.m. | University Center, Conference Room A
Introduction by Cody Cox, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Industrial Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior

Kathy McAfee

Executive Coach and Author, Kmc Brand Innovation, LLC

Kathy McAfee is a professional speaker, author and executive coach and mentor who works with organizations who want stronger more diverse leadership pipelines, and with professionals who want to be outstanding in their field.  Known as America’s Marketing Motivator, McAfee specializes in the arts of fearless leadership, high-engagement presentations, effective networking, and strong personal branding.

Learn more about Kathy at her website

Learn more about her signature program

Connect with Kathy on LinkedIn

Kathy McAfee bio

Chevron MBA Reception
5 to 7 p.m. | Alkek Business Building, Atrium
By invitation only

Thursday, Oct. 26

Faith and Work Session: The Increasing Importance of Faith in the New Workplace
9:45 to 11 a.m. | University Center, Conference Room A
Introduction by Jason King, Director, Center for Catholic Studies

Kathleen Gushoney

Managing Director, Enterprise Management, Charles Schwab

Kate Gushoney, Director of EORM Strategy and Operations, is an inspirational leader and accomplished change management executive, leading the charge to bring transformation to scale through a strategic focus on operations, process advancement and optimization, cross-functional business alliances, partnerships, organizational capacity building, risk management, governance, financial management, communications and training. Gushoney’s team led change management for the firmwide implementation of MyGRC, is supporting all EORM Strategic Obejctives and Inititiatives, budget, core operations activities, employee engagement and Glint action plans, DEI, learning and communications. Our change management team partners to build strong change management plans to ensure project success the first time through while supporting teams in shifting mindset and behaviors to deliver superior results at pace. Gushoney’s commitment to maintaining a future focus inspires work toward scalable solutions to complex change in a highly collaborative environment.

Prior to joining Schwab, Gushoney served as the Vice President and Regional Executive Director for the YMCA of the East Bay in Oakland, California. Earlier, Gushoney was Assistant Director at the San Francisco Friendship House Association of American Indians, a transitional housing and substance abuse recovery program that provides treatment, prevention and workforce development services. Servant leadership and a commitment to supporting the people side of change remain central to all of her work.

Gushoney earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Dayton, Ohio, and her Master’s in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College. She is a 2014 graduate of the YMCA National Leadership Symposium where she published a white paper exploring themes of cultural appropriation, civic engagement and how to lead in an increasingly diverse America. She has a certificate in Change Management from Prosci and is one of the longest tenured change management SME’s at Schwab.

Gushoney is a longtime vowed Lay Marianist and a member of the Visitation Marianist State Community.

kathleen gushoney bio

General Student Session: Learning to Engage Artificial Intelligence Responsibly
11:10 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. | University Center, Conference Room A
Introduction by Jialin Zhao, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Finance and Quantitative Management

Tamilla Triantoro, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Quinnipiac University

Tamilla Triantoro is an Associate Professor of Business Analytics and Information Systems at Quinnipiac University, with over a decade of experience in the field of data analytics. She has directed both graduate and undergraduate academic programs in Business Analytics at Quinnipiac University and the University of Connecticut. Her expertise includes Artificial Intelligence, Human-AI Collaboration, and the Future of Work. She has spoken about these topics in various parts of the world. Triantoro visited over 100 countries and presented her work on six continents. With a Ph.D. from the City University of New York, where she researched online user behavior, Triantoro brings a deep understanding of the human element to her work. She is committed to advancing the field of Business Analytics and Human-AI Collaboration, while also ensuring that her work has a positive impact on society as a whole.

Tamilla Triantoro bio

Career Trek to Methodist Hospital
12:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Methodist Hospital Stone Oak
First Floor, Classrooms 1 and 2
1139 E. Sonterra Blvd
San Antonio, Texas 78258
Students, sign up via Handshake

General Faculty Session: Adapting to the Challenges and Adopting New Forms of Artificial Intelligence
2 to 3:15 p.m. | Alkek Business Building, Atrium
Introduction by Sung-Tae Kim, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Finance and Quantitative Management
RSVP required by emailing lgarcia18@stmarytx.edu by Oct. 16.

Tamilla Triantoro, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Quinnipiac University

Tamilla Triantoro is an Associate Professor of Business Analytics and Information Systems at Quinnipiac University, with over a decade of experience in the field of data analytics. She has directed both graduate and undergraduate academic programs in Business Analytics at Quinnipiac University and the University of Connecticut. Her expertise includes Artificial Intelligence, Human-AI Collaboration, and the Future of Work. She has spoken about these topics in various parts of the world. Triantoro visited over 100 countries and presented her work on six continents. With a Ph.D. from the City University of New York, where she researched online user behavior, Triantoro brings a deep understanding of the human element to her work. She is committed to advancing the field of Business Analytics and Human-AI Collaboration, while also ensuring that her work has a positive impact on society as a whole.

Tamilla Triantoro bio

Inclusive Excellence Session: Leveraging Inclusive Excellence to Create a Winning Workplace — The Case of H-E-B
2 to 3:15 p.m. | University Center, Conference Room A
Introduction by Rowena Ortiz-Walters, Ph.D., Dean, Greehey School of Business

Mayerland Harris

Group Vice President of Talent, H-E-B

Mayerland Harris is seasoned leader with over three decades of combined Human Resources and store operations experience in the grocery retail industry. As the Group Vice President of Talent for H-E-B, Harris leads the strategic functions of Human Resources. Those functions include total company compensation, talent acquisition, onboarding, leadership development, training, HR technology, people analytics, and employee connection—including the DEIB function. Additionally, Harris is an Executive Board Member for Favor.

Harris is a lifelong learner. She received her undergraduate degree in Marketing from the University of Texas at Austin and earned her MBA from Texas A&M University. Harris is currently pursuing a doctoral degree for Learning and Organizational Change at Baylor University.

Harris is a dynamic, influential speaker with expertise in people-centric innovation and thought leadership. She applies a creative thought process and in-depth knowledge of Human Resources to provide unique solutions to complex problems in the people space. Harris’s gift for storytelling has helped her become a nationally sought-after speaker for many conferences and public appearances. She provides her audience with someone relatable and is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Mayerland Harris bio

Panel Session: The Interface of Business and Law in Practice and Academia
3:25 to 4:40 p.m. | University Center, Conference Room A
Moderated by Suzanne Oliva, LL.M., CPA, Assistant Professor of Business Law

Mary Brennan Stich

St. Mary’s University Trustee and former Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Rackspace Technology

Mary Brennan Stich is a double alumna; she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Mary’s University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) from the School of Law. She graduated with academic honors. She played volleyball and basketball as a Rattler and received one of the first athletic scholarships awarded to a female athlete. Attending St. Mary’s was a family affair for her; six of her siblings and cousins attended St. Mary’s. Stich is currently a member of the University’s board of trustees.

Stich has represented businesses for most of her forty-year legal career. She has served as an executive, a C-suite advisor, and as deputy general counsel for public and private companies across many legal specialty areas including commercial lawsuits, employment law, risk management and compliance, intellectual property, and data privacy. She is former vice-president and deputy general counsel at Rackspace Technology (RXT), a multi-cloud technology solutions company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, where she led a global legal team. Stich is a former shareholder and partner at the commercial law firm Cox & Smith Incorporated (now Dykema). She is the former chief litigation and employment counsel at iHeart Media. She also served as an Associate Dean at the law school and oversaw its career services and alumni offices. Stich is currently in private practice and is licensed to practice law in the State of Texas and before the U.S Supreme Court.

Stich serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations. She is on the board of directors of Goodwill Industries of San Antonio. She provides pro bono legal services as a board member, officer, and volunteer for the San Antonio Legal Services Association. She is a founding member and former president of the Bexar County Women’s Bar Association.

Stich also serves as an advisory director on the board of a for-profit company, Third Coast Bank (TCBX), which is publicly traded on the NASDAQ.

She is a recognized leader in the community. She received the Ethical Life Award from the Association of Corporate Counsel and the President’s Award from the San Antonio Bar Association. She is a recipient of the Belva Lockwood Outstanding Lawyer Award from the Bexar County Women’s Bar Association. Stich was awarded a Women’s Leadership Award and Outstanding Lawyer Award from the San Antonio Business Journal.

Mary Brennan Stich bio

Sara Dysart

St. Mary’s University Trustee and Attorney, Dysart Law

Sara E. Dysart is a graduate of St. Mary’s University (B.A. magna cum laude and & J.D. with distinction) and UTSA (M.A.). Dysart is a sole practitioner. She is Board Certified in Commercial Real Estate Law and currently serves on the Texas Board of Legal Specialization Real Estate Law Advisory Commission and Texas Board of Legal Specialization Real Estate Law Exam Commission. She is a fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers. An advocate of Texas Bar CLE programs, Dysart has served as course director for Advanced Real Estate Law, Advanced Real Estate Drafting, Advanced Real Estate Strategies, and Annual Summer School, and is a frequent author and presenter.

Dysart serves on the Board of Trustees for St. Mary’s University and the Board of Directors of Incarnate Word High School. She is a member of the Board of Directors of Broadway Bank, the Texas Bar College, and local non-profit organizations. She is the current Chair-Elect of the Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation. She has been Chair of the SBOT Real Estate Forms Committee, Trustee of the Texas Bar Foundation, Director of the SBOT, Co-Chair of the 2015 SBOT Annual Meeting, Council Member of REPTL, President of St. Mary’s Law Alumni Association, and Chair of the San Antonio Bar Foundation.

Dysart is a recipient of the San Antonio Bar Association Lifetime Achievement Award–the Joe Frazier Brown, Sr. Award of Excellence; State Bar of Texas Real Estate Probate and Trust Law Section Lifetime Achievement Award—Real Estate; Texas Board of Legal Specialization Tom Garner Award; San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Awareness Allan K. DuBois Community Champion Award; San Antonio Legal Services Association President’s Award; Texas Bar Foundation Terry Lee Grantham Memorial Award; SBOT President’s Award; SBOT Presidential Citation; four San Antonio Bar Association President’s Awards; San Antonio Business Journal Outstanding Lawyer Award; San Antonio Bar Foundation Peacemaker Award; SBOT CLE staff’s Standing Ovation Award; SBOT Advanced Real Estate Weatherbie Workhorse Award; Association of Corporate Counsel South Texas Chapter C. Lee Cusenbary Ethical Life Award; Lawyer’s Concerned for Lawyer’s Ralph Mock Award; and Bexar County Women’s Bar Foundation’s Belva Lockwood Outstanding Lawyer.

St. Mary’s University honored Dysart as a 2019 Distinguished Graduate. St. Mary’s University School of Law Alumni Association honored her as the 2021 Distinguished Law Graduate.

Sara Dysart bio

The Hon. Nelson Wolff (B.B.A. ’66, J.D. ’66)

St. Mary’s University Distinguished Service Professor and former Bexar County Judge

The Hon. Nelson Wolff is a retired Bexar County judge and Democratic politician from San Antonio. He represented Bexar County in the Texas House of Representatives from 1971 to 1973 and the Texas Senate from 1973 to 1975. Wolff served on the San Antonio City Council from 1987 to 1991 and then as mayor of San Antonio from 1991 to 1995. He served as Bexar County judge from 2001 until 2022. In January, Wolff was appointed as University Distinguished Service Professor at St. Mary’s University.

The Hon. Nelson Wolff bio

Chevron Business Week Awards Dinner
6 to 9 p.m. | University Center, Conference Room A
By invitation only

Business Week 2021

Resilience Redefined: People. Planet. Profit. Power.

The theme of the 46th annual Business Week is Resilience Redefined: People. Planet. Profit. Power.

The theme invites participants adjusting to the recent historic circumstances to explore innovative solutions to develop, lead and motivate people; protect and defend the planet; sustain and grow profits; and ethically use power and influence for the greater good.

Tuesday, Oct. 26

Student Trivia Bowl
9:45 to 10:45 a.m. | Albert B. Alkek Atrium
With Moderator Capt. Kelly Elmlinger, U.S. Army, Ret., Paralympian 2021

La Quinta Keynote Speaker: Resilience Turns Wounds Into Wisdom
11:10 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. | Albert B. Alkek Atrium

Jacqueline Darna, N.M.D.

CEO and Medical Inventor, NoMo Bands

Panel Discussion: Managing for Resilience
2:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. | Albert B. Alkek Atrium
With Moderator Jeremy M. Grace, MBA Programs Director, St. Mary’s University

Anamaria Suescun-Fast (B.B.A. ’91)

CEO and Managing Partner, talkStrategy

Kelly Contreras (B.B.A. ’18)

Talent Acquisition Specialist, SWBC

Morgan Jones

Senior Manager Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Strategy, Spurs Sports & Entertainment

Wednesday, Oct. 27

Discussion: Culture in the Time of COVID
9:20 to 10:35 a.m. | University Center Conference Room A

Frank Guerra

Founder and CEO, GDC Marketing and Ideation

Interactive Session: Social Impact Through Entrepreneurship
10:45 to 12 p.m. | University Center Conference Room A

Sarah Woolsey

Founder, The Impact Guild

Career Trek: Jordan Ford
12:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Jordan Ford (13010 I-35 North)

The Career and Professional Development Center invites St. Mary’s University students to a Career Trek to Jordan Ford to “test drive” a day in Grad Track – Jordan Ford’s well-salaried, sales-oriented hiring initiative designed to develop a small cohort of recent graduates into transformational leaders within the automotive dealer industry.

Interactive Session: Create Your Perfect 30 Second Pitch and Win Every Time!
1:45 to 3 p.m. | University Center Conference Room A

Jacqueline Darna, N.M.D.

CEO and Medical Inventor, NoMo Bands

Thursday, Oct. 28

Virtual Career Fair
11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Business Week 2021