SAHCC Announces 2024 Co-Chair elects for Latina Leadership Institute

The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the 2024 Co-Chair elects for the Latina Leadership Institute.

Laura Elizabeth Mayes

Assistant Director of the City of San Antonio’s Communications & Engagement Department


Born and raised in McAllen, Texas, Mayes has more than 15 years of experience in strategic communications and marketing. As Assistant Director of the City of San Antonio’s Communications & Engagement Department, she leads strategic messaging and communications campaigns, serves as deputy spokeswoman, oversees the City’s engagement efforts and the nationally recognized TVSA production team.

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    Her work on the City’s SASpeakUp program involves thousands of residents in the policymaking process every year. In 2018, Mayes oversaw marketing and communications for the City’s historic year-long Tricentennial Commemoration, which included more than 700 events and a visit from the King and Queen of Spain. 


    Prior to joining the City, she managed public affairs projects in the private sector, which included a portfolio of Fortune 500 clients and successful political campaigns. 


    Mayes began her public affairs career in her hometown with the City of McAllen, where she created and managed the City’s social media presence, coordinated media relations for local, regional and national entities and communications for citywide initiatives and crisis situations. Mayes also previously successfully managed the South Texas region for a gubernatorial campaign, made up of more than 30 counties.


    She is a first-generation college graduate of the University of Texas Pan American and a graduate of the inaugural class of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Latina Leadership Institute. Mayes has also completed the Alex Briseño Leadership Development Program and Leadership San Antonio Class 46. She also served on the steering committee for Leadership San Antonio Class 47. 


    Laura is a proud mother to five-year-old Marisa and her rescue Yorkie Jean Luc. She spends her free time cooking, reading or enjoying a Broadway show. 

Lily Garcia

Marketing Director of #IhaveaCPAguy


A proud UTSA alum with a passion for helping others in her community! With a Bachelor's degree in International Business under her belt, she's taken her skills and knowledge to the next level where she served on the Steering Committee for the Latina Leadership Institute within the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.



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    As the Marketing Director for #IhaveaCPAguy (Robert Garcia CPA, PLLC), Lily works alongside her husband Robert Garcia (aka #CPAguy) to support the Micro and Small Business community.


    Together, they've built a strong community around the #IhaveaCPAguy brand, dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs by providing access to financial knowledge and resources,

    advocating for their needs at the local and state levels, and offering scholarships to future community leaders.


    Lily truly believes that small businesses are the heart of San Antonio - and she's not stopping there! Lily also serves on the Board of Directors for The Board Room Project and the Startup Chica Committee for Latinitas, continuing to give back to her community in meaningful ways.

About the Hispanic Leadership Development Foundation:

The mission of the Hispanic Leadership Development Foundation 501(c)3 is to remove barriers of past discrimination in the San Antonio workforce and fill a void in the San Antonio community by providing a number of accessible and affordable activities, which are designed to target small, minority and women owned businesses and minority youth, who require education and support to become leaders in the San Antonio community. The Foundation also educates participants on policy issues affecting the civic and economic well-being of the community and create a larger pool of knowledgeable, skilled and active leaders.


Structure of the 501(c)3 organization: The Hispanic Leadership Development Foundation is structured under the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. All leadership and educational programs are run through the foundation.