CEO/Creative Chairman
Beautiful Beast

If one trait distinguishes Aldo, it’s his passion for great ideas that are relevant and memorable. But his true fluency lies in translating complex marketing challenges into effective, award-winning omnicultural work.

In 2024, Beautiful Beast received the American Advertising Award’s National Best in Show and the Ad Age Healthcare Campaign of the Year for small agencies for their campaign, “Cancel the Cup.”

Aldo was also the first Mexican inductee into the American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Achievement and the first Mexican to win a Cannes Lion and the Grand Award at the New York Festivals.

Chief Executive Officer
Sea Turtle, Inc.

Nothing tests your skills like a once-in-a-hundred-year weather phenomenon, coupled with a power outage of state-wide proportion, a fuel shortage, and more than 5,300 cold stun sea turtles during an international pandemic.

With the world watching, Wendy and her team brought the South Padre Island non-profit Sea Turtle, Inc., and their mission into the spotlight.

This year alone, Sea Turtle, Inc. has protected and released 3,439 hatchlings, rehabilitated and released 931 turtles, welcomed 82,439 visitors, educated over 12,000 students, and is nearing completion of the largest fully enclosed sea turtle hospital in the world.

Chief Innovation Officer
GALE

Ben is a simplifier–he’s on a personal mission to cut through complexity, to market to humans in human terms. That way, we can all get on with making the world a better place.

Ben harnesses new media to make the most of what moves people, and he has fulfilled this mission at some of the most creatively innovative advertising, marketing, and design shops in the world: Crispin, The New York Times, CAA, WPP, Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, and, most recently, at the award-winning Business Agency GALE.

Ever the cultivator of the next cohort of innovators, Ben mentors up-and-coming creatives throughout the country, including UTRGV and his alma mater: UT Austin.

Creative Director (Copy),
Airbnb, Latin America

Brenda's career includes roles at Peloton, Anomaly, Condé Nast, and Remezcla, crafting work for some of the world’s most recognized brands—Google, Target, Tecate, Victoria’s Secret, and Buchanan’s. Want to see her work? You can find it at the One Show Annual, Cannes Lions, and the London International Awards to start with.

Principal, Digital Strategy & Integration
LERMA/

Francisco is a digital marketing maven with a knack for turning creative ideas into impactful campaigns. As the Principal of Digital Strategy & Integration at LERMA/, a celebrated Dallas-based agency known for its multicultural flair, Francisco has led digital strategies for top brands like Avocados From Mexico, Dr Pepper, Metro by T-Mobile, The Home Depot, He Gets Us, and The Salvation Army. He’s particularly proud of his role in making Avocados From Mexico a Super Bowl advertising superstar—eight times!

While ADDYs, Clios, & Lions line his shelves, Francisco enjoys celebrating his multicultural roots and sharing a good laugh, often with a side of Mexican humor.

Senior Manager, Digital Marketing & E-Commerce
Historic Hotels of America | Historic Hotels Worldwide
Former D10 Governor
Current Chair, AAF Council of Governors

Stephanie loves to travel (she’s been to 29 different countries), which makes her position with Historic Hotels ideal, as she is responsible for the growth of revenue to more than 600 historic hotels around the world through online bookings, co-operative marketing, pay for placement, and advertising programs. In 2018, Stephanie was awarded the Rising Star for the State of Texas by the Texas Travel Industry Association, presented by Southwest Airlines.

Stephanie is a Past Governor for District 10, was named Governor of the Year in 2022, and currently serves as the Chair of Governors for AAF National.

Her favorite summer camp saying is, “Give the world the best you have, and the best will come back to you.”

Hotelier

Ruby Red Hospitality

Director of Advertising Review

Better Business Bureau

CEO

Leadership Empowerment Group

Integrated Strategy Lead, Multicultural

Dieste

Digital Sales Manager

Nexstar Media

Director of Brand Strategy

Pollux Castor Creative

Creative Director

Pollux Castor Creative

Director of Digital Marketing & Marketing Analytics

UT Rio Grande Valley

CEO

Pollux Castor Creative

Creative Director/Executive Producer

Lemeiux Company

Senior Account Executive

MiQ Digital

Sales Director

MiQ Digital

President & CEO

Supporting World Hope, LLC