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Meet the 2026 MACRI Symposium Speakers

Don’t miss these amazing speakers! Register today!

Cristela Alonzo is a comedian, writer, actor, and producer who made television history as the first Latina to create, write, produce, and star in her own primetime network sitcom, Cristela.

Raised in South Texas, Alonzo has become widely recognized for her sharp humor, deeply personal storytelling, and commentary on culture, family, and identity. Her work spans stand-up comedy, television, and film, including her role as the voice of Cruz Ramirez in Pixar’s Cars 3. She has released acclaimed comedy specials, appeared on major late-night programs, and built a national following through humor that is both insightful and relatable.

Through her work, Alonzo has helped expand Latino representation in entertainment while bringing authenticity and heart to audiences across the country.

Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX) proudly represents his hometown, San Antonio, in Congress. He is the highest-ranking Democrat in the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere and sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. After serving 10 years in the Texas House, he was elected to represent Texas’ 20th Congressional District, where he is currently serving his 7th term.

As Congressman, Castro continues to be a tireless advocate for those who call San Antonio home. From immigrant families to investing in education, Castro remains committed to helping mold an Infrastructure of Opportunity for San Antonians and Americans. He believes that our centuries-long commitment to building and preserving this infrastructure is what distinguishes America among the nations of the world.

Rochelle Garza is an attorney from the Rio Grande Valley and President of the Texas Civil Rights Project, where she has expanded efforts to protect voting and immigrant rights, and helped challenge overcriminalization through an intentional community lawyering model. She also serves as Chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

A daughter of public school teachers, Garza built a legal career focusing on immigration, family, criminal, and constitutional law, and represented teens in federal immigration detention. In 2022, she became the Democratic nominee for Texas Attorney General. Garza was the first Latina to be nominated for Attorney General by any major party in Texas history. Garza holds degrees from Brown University and the University of Houston Law Center.

Henry Jiménez is President and CEO of Propel Nonprofits, a Community Development Financial Institution that offers nonprofits access to capital and capacity building services. He previously served as Executive Director and President of the Latino Economic Development Center, where he advanced efforts to build generational wealth and invest in Latino, immigrant, and undocumented communities.

Henry serves on the board of the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota and is the president of the board of Comunidades Organizando el Poder y Acción Latina, a Twin Cities nonprofit focused on Latino civic power. Nationally, he sits on the boards of Opportunity Finance Network and NALCAB. A 2023 Bush Fellow, Henry is recognized for his leadership and commitment to expanding community power.

Josefina Lopez is a writer, film producer, and performer best known for authoring the play and co-authoring the 2002 Sundance Audience award-winning film Real Women Have Curves. Josefina started her writing career at 17 and has had over 150 productions of her plays nationwide, and has been working as a professional screenwriter in Hollywood for over 30 years. Born in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, she immigrated to the U.S. at age five and grew up in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles.

Josefina is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago, and has an MFA in Screenwriting from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film & Television. She is the Founding Artistic Director of Casa 0101 Theater and has produced over 200 plays celebrating Latinos, immigrants, and the LGBT and BIPOC communities.

Mark Hugo Lopez is Director of Race and Ethnicity Research at Pew Research Center, where he leads studies on the evolving racial and ethnic landscape of the United States. An expert on racial and ethnic identity, Latino politics, U.S. demographics, and migration, Lopez was previously the Center’s director of Global Migration and Demography, and of Hispanic research. Lopez has authored and edited various articles, book chapters, and reports about migration, policy, and the Latino electorate.

Prior to joining Pew Research Center, Lopez served as assistant professor at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy and as research director of the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE). Lopez received his doctorate in economics from Princeton University.

Carmen Perez-Jordan is an award-winning civil and human rights leader, Chicana feminist, and President & CEO of The Gathering for Justice. She co-founded Justice League NYC and Justice League CA, advancing juvenile and criminal justice reform nationwide. She has led and supported major campaigns such as Free Meek Mill, Free Pedro Hernandez, Take a Knee with Colin Kaepernick, and the I AM MEGAN campaign, alongside peace efforts in El Salvador and organizing in Cuba and Venezuela.

A National Co-Chair of the 2017 Women’s March on Washington, she helped mobilize millions. Carmen currently leads Partnerships and Organizing for the Next250 initiative, and is the inaugural facilitator for the How Women Lead Global Movement Building Fellowship.

Nadege Souvenir is a leader dedicated to advancing equity, innovation, and community empowerment. Since April 2024, she has served as CEO of the San Antonio Area Foundation, overseeing 600+ charitable funds and $1.3 billion in assets, with more than $800 million distributed to address opportunity gaps. She is also a proud member of Leadership San Antonio Class 49.

Souvenir serves on the board of UP Partnership and advises Catchafire and the Center for Effective Philanthropy, national organizations focused on nonprofit capacity building & effectiveness. Previously, she was Chief Operating Officer of the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation. She is a pioneering arts leader who champions collaborative leadership and data-informed strategy for a more equitable San Antonio.

Last but not least, our Symposium Emcee!

Elaine Ayala is an award-winning journalist whose 45-year career culminated as Metro columnist for the San Antonio Express-News and host of the podcast ¡Nosotros! with Elaine Ayala. A San Antonio West Side native, she reported on Latino politics, immigration, religion, arts, and culture while serving in newsroom leadership roles at six metropolitan newspapers, including the Austin American-Statesman, El Paso Times, and Express-News.

Ayala earned her English degree from the University of Pennsylvania and later taught in the Maynard Institute’s Editing Program. A longtime leader in Hispanic journalism organizations, she has received numerous honors, including the Henry Guerra Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the NAHJ, San Antonio Women’s, and Edgewood ISD Halls of Fame.