Speakers 2026

Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, a third-generation El Pasoan, proudly represents Texas’ 16th Congressional District. Since making history as the first woman elected to represent El Paso and the first of two Latinas from Texas to serve in Congress, Congresswoman Escobar serves on the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
In Congress, she has established herself as the voice of the border and as a national leader on gun safety, healthcare, reproductive justice, and immigration.

R. Jacob Cintron serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the El Paso County Hospital District (EPCHD). With over 40 years of healthcare management experience, he began his healthcare career at Thomason General Hospital, now named University Medical Center of El Paso – which he leads today.
Mr. Cintron also oversees important affiliations and partnerships between University Medical Center of El Paso and Texas Tech University Health Science Center of El Paso. These affiliations ensure the campus at University Medical Center of El Paso continues to be the center of medical teaching, providing an exceptional learning environment and experience for medical students, residents, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
These affiliations with Texas Tech include the Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, the Gayle Greve Hunt School of Nursing, and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Other affiliations include the University of Texas at El Paso Nursing & Pharmacy Programs, El Paso Community College Nursing Programs, Dona Ana Community College, New Mexico State University, Texas Women’s University, Western New Mexico University, and New Mexico State University. Together, these programs are responsible for training more than a thousand future healthcare providers each year at the Campus of University Medical Center of El Paso.

Texas Rep. Mary González, PhD has proudly represented House District 75 since 2013, serving the people of eastern El Paso County and working to strengthen communities across Texas. Throughout her legislative career, she has been a thoughtful voice on issues impacting education, natural resources, mental health, disability rights, public health, and responsible state budgeting through serving as Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee.
Throughout her legislative tenure, González has earned a reputation as a public servant who values constituent engagement, thoughtful policymaking, and practical solutions that benefit Texans across diverse regions of the state.
Before her election to the legislature, González built a career in education and public service. Today, she continues that work as Executive Director for MASBA-School Board Members for Latino Equity and as an adjunct professor at St. Edward’s. She earned her bachelor's and doctoral degrees from The University of Texas at Austin, and her master's degree from St. Edward's University.

Tracy J. Yellen is the Chief Executive Officer of the Paso del Norte Health Foundation and Paso del Norte Community Foundation. Tracy has more than 30 years of experience working with nonprofit and governmental organizations in the areas of health, education, social services, and environment.
She is active in the El Paso community serving on the Boards of ReadyOne Industries, PHIX Health Information Exchange and Fundacion Paso del Norte. She is past Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas-El Paso Branch board and University Medical Center of El Paso. She has also served on numerous nonprofit boards including the Borderplex Alliance, YWCA El Paso del Norte Region, Women’s Fund of El Paso, and The Johns Hopkins University.
Tracy earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Studies from The Johns Hopkins University and Masters in Public Administration from the University of Texas at El Paso. Tracy is married and has two young adult children.