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Jacqueline Ruiz is an internationally known, award-winning entrepreneur and publishing magnate. Originally from Mexico, she arrived in the U.S. when she was 14 and was a two-time cancer survivor at the age of 23. Driven by her life mission, passion for servant leadership, and helping others succeed, she built several companies and nonprofit organizations while becoming a storytelling pioneer and a champion of entrepreneurs, aviation, and youth. 

Jacqueline founded the award-winning public relations firm JJR Marketing in 2006, followed by a publishing company, Fig Factor Media, in 2014. JJR Marketing has provided winning marketing strategies for multi-million- dollar companies throughout the U.S. and the world. The agency has helped launch and elevate organizations with innovative public relations campaigns and media relations that have led to numerous industry awards.

As the leader of Fig Factor Media, Jacqueline has authored more than 37 books and published more than 500 for authors across 34 countries, working with business leaders to share their coaching and business methodologies for success. In 2015, Jacqueline launched Today’s Inspired Latina, the first in a suite of Latina anthologies in which she has amassed the most extensive collection of Latina stories of adversity and inspiration.

Dr. Elba Garcia embodies a new breed of professional women in the 21st century. She is not only a community leader, but is also a mother and wife, a dentist with her own private practice, and a role model for Latino women from all walks of life. Dr. Garcia is a former Dallas City Council Member and the current Dallas County Commissioner for District 4.

Born and educated in Mexico City, Dr. Garcia earned her Doctorate in Odontology from the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana in 1984. She later immigrated to the United States, where she had to recertify her degree at Baylor College of Dentistry, earning her second Doctorate in Dental Surgery (DDS) in 1990. She is a small business owner, having run her own private practice since 1998. Dr. Garcia also served as an assistant professor at the Baylor College of Dentistry. She is married and has two sons. On May 14, 2024, the community proudly celebrated the renaming ceremony of Dr. Elba and Domingo Garcia, West Dallas STEM School. 

Maria Espinosa is the Senior Manager of Belonging & Well-being at Brinker International, the parent company of Chili’s Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy. In her role, Maria leads strategic initiatives, programs, and policies that cultivate a workplace culture where every team member feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Her work reinforces Brinker's deep commitment to belonging and well-being ensuring that both Team Members and guests experience an environment that Makes People Feel Special.

With over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit and corporate sectors, Maria has been a driving force behind DEI and well-being initiatives that extend beyond the workplace. She has worked with organizations such as VisitDallas, Nexus Recovery Center, and CONTACT Crisis Line, championing efforts to uplift multicultural communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities. Her expertise lies in creating inclusive spaces, fostering meaningful partnerships, and aligning business strategies with community impact.

Maria is passionate about building bridges across cultures, fostering psychological safety, and ensuring every team member has the resources and opportunities to grow—both personally and professionally. Through her leadership, she continues to inspire positive change, advocate for equity, and champion a workplace culture where belonging and well-being are at the heart of everything.

Mayra is a proud Chica(na), seasoned education consultant, and expert facilitator who leads with a commitment to be cultura-rooted and community-made. For more than a decade, she has helped diverse first-generation students achieve their college dreams, helping her cohorts earn $3-4 million in gift aid annually. As a curriculum leader and training specialist with EMERGE, Mayra developed college-access curriculum for five Houston-area school districts. At the Posse Foundation, she became an expert in leading cross-cultural dialogue. She is the founder of Mayra V Strategy | Powered by Valle Conmigo LLC where she collaborates with schools, companies, and organizations to provide tailored workshops, lessons, and consulting service that uplift students, educators, and young professionals. 

Laura is a proud Dallas native with Ecuadorian roots. As a first-generation college student, she recognizes the importance of education and is dedicated to paving the way for future generations. Her desire to help others was instilled in her from a young age, and it remains a central focus in both her professional and personal life. Serving as a former teacher's assistant, Laura had the opportunity to guide students and parents through the educational systems in Texas, showcasing the incredible opportunities available. The advice from a former colleague continues to inspire her: "When you encounter first-generation students, remember your own journey and be the advocate that both you and your parents needed and deserved." 

Transitioning her career to healthcare, Laura now works as an Organizational Development Analyst at Texas Health. She earned a degree in Science from Dallas College and pursued a Health Studies degree from Texas Woman's University, graduating in 2020. In 2022, she completed her master's in healthcare administration from Louisiana State University at Shreveport.

Laura has received multiple accolades, including the Texas Health Mosaic pin twice (2022 & 2023), the HWNT 2023 Estrella Award, the 2024 HWNT Dallas Chapter of the Year Award, and the 2024 Dallas College Distinguished Alumni Award.

Currently, she serves as one of the Chairs on the Texas Health Diversity Action Team and is the Dallas Chair for the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas. Under her leadership, the chapter has expanded significantly and continues to make a positive impact in the community through its programs and initiatives. In her free time, Laura volunteers with HopeKids, organizing local events for Spanish-speaking families.

Dr. Catherine P. Olivarez has over 20 years of experience in higher education, seamlessly bridging the gap between academic and student services. She is the Associate Vice Provost for Articulation, Transfer, and Educational Policy at Dallas College. In this role, she is instrumental in developing and maintaining transfer partnerships with postsecondary institutions regionally, within Texas, and across the U.S. Dr. Olivarez also provides administrative leadership for Dallas College’s Ascender-Catch the Next Program, which enhances the first-year experience for academically underprepared community college students, ensuring their readiness for college and career success, and facilitating their transfer to baccalaureate programs.

Dr. Olivarez is a National Community College Hispanic Council Leadership Fellow (2021-2022) and an American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education Graduate Fellow (2015). She has presented at numerous national conferences, published two manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals, and serves on the Journal of Hispanic Higher Education editorial board.

Dedicated to advancing women in higher education and their professional careers, Dr. Olivarez has mentored countless women through her involvement with the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas (HWNT). She serves as Chair-Elect (23-25) for the Dallas Chapter of HWNT and has held other roles on the board, such as Parliamentarian (2023) and Scholarship Chair (22-24). She has given her time and expertise in serving her sorority, Sigma Lambda Alpha Sorority, Inc. She served as an alumnae advisor to three chapters and most recently as Executive Director (2018-2021) on the National Board of Directors.

Dr. Olivarez earned her Ph.D. in Higher Education with a Community College Leadership certificate from the University of North Texas. She also holds a B.A. in Psychology and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio.