Friends of nepantla

Laura Lee Hinojosa

Laura Hinojosa has served as the Hidalgo County District Clerk since 2007 and was reelected in 2022 to serve a fifth term in office. Laura has distinguished herself as a committed public servant dedicated to preserving and maintaining the judicial records of the County of Hidalgo and the State of Texas. As the district clerk Laura believes in progress through sound working relationships and collaboration. During her tenure she has served the county and the State of Texas as a clerk in several capacities:

• County and District Clerk Association, Region VIII Director/Director in Charge (2007-2008 / 2015-2016)

• Texas Attorney General Child Support Workgroup Member (2007)

• County and District Clerk Association Legislative Committee Member and former co-chair (2008-2009)

• Hidalgo County Domestic Relations Office Initiative Advisory Board Member (2008-2009)

• County and District Clerk Association State District Clerk Manual Co-chair (2010)

• Appointed Member of the Texas Supreme Court Records Preservation Task Force (2011)

• National Instant Criminal Background Check System Record Improvement Task Force Member (2012)

• Texas Supreme Court Judicial Committee on Information Technology Voting Member (2014 – 2025)

• Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Judicial Emergency Preparedness & Courthouse Security (2018)

• Recipient of the Hidalgo County Bar Association Outstanding Volunteer Award (2008)

• Board President of the South Texas Literacy Coalition (2008-2011)

• Awarded County & District Clerk Association of Texas Clerk of the Year, Region VIII (2011)

• Hidalgo County Bar Association Liberty Bell Award Recipient (2013)

• Statewide presenter & panelist regarding civil & criminal e-filing implementation (2014)

• Office of Court Administration Resumption of Jury Trials Advisory Group (2021-2022)

• Amara Hospice Foundation Board Member (2016-2025)

• Texas Association of Counties (TAC) Board Member (2019-2020/2023-2024)

• Current IMAS Children’s Museum Advisory Committee Member

• COVID-19 Taskforce Member (2020-2021)

• County and District Clerk Association Education Committee Member (2021-2025)

• Current Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church Lector

• 128th Annual County & District Clerks’ Association State Conference Host, McAllen, TX (2023)

• Founding member of the County & District Clerks’ Association Statewide Mentorship Program

• National Association of Counties, Professional Development Academy High Performance Leadership-Alumni

Laura previously served as President of the County and District Clerks’ Association of Texas (CDCAT) Executive Board, which serves as the governing body of the association, responsible for the direction and management of all organizational affairs. She was most recently awarded the 2025 District Clerk of Year Award for the State of Texas. Laura is committed to continued progress by enhancing customer service, capitalizing on technology, and streamlining practices to deliver more efficient and responsive government.

Aida Hurtado

I’m honored to be asked to join the inaugural Friends of Ballet Nepantla Board. I have a special connection to Ballet Nepantla because I grew up in El Valle (McAllen, Texas), as an undergraduate I attended UT Rio Grande Valley (previously Pan American University), and I have written extensively on Gloria E. Anzaldúa’s concept of Nepantla. After graduating from UTRGV with a double major in Sociology and Psychology, I “migrated” to the University of Michigan to obtain a M.A. and Ph.D. in Social psychology. I am currently Distinguished Professor of Chicana and Chicano Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. 

I had the good fortune of meeting Andrea’s father, Dr. Francisco Guajardo on October 11, 2017, at UTRGV after my lecture celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the publication of Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza (1987). Francisco gave me an overview of Andrea and Martín Rodríguez’s efforts to form a New York-based dance troupe named after Anzaldúa theorization of the Nahuatl word “Nepantla.” The dance company fused Mexican folklórico dance with contemporary dance to create a “mezcla” that reflected life in the Borderlands. After this brief introduction, we exchanged contact information and my journey with Ballet Nepantla began.

Andrea Mitra

For Andrea Mitra, Ballet Nepantla is more than a dance company; it is a lifelong connection to heritage, storytelling, and community. A native of South Texas, Andrea grew up dancing alongside the company’s Founder and Artistic Director, Andrea Guajardo. This foundational bond was fostered at the Edinburg Dance Theater, where Andrea was a recipient of a scholarship that deepened her commitment to the arts.

As a Mexican-American, Andrea is personally driven by Ballet Nepantla’s mission to explore the "in-between" spaces of identity. She believes in the power of fusing contemporary ballet with Mexican Folklorico to elevate the narratives of the Mexican-American experience. By serving on the board, she aims to honor her roots and support the vision of dher childhood friend, ensuring that the company's transformative performances reach and inspire diverse audiences everywhere.

Beyond her passion for the arts, Andrea is a distinguished leader in the media and entertainment industry. She currently serves as the Head of Owned Media and Content Strategy at Sling TV, where she leads high-impact growth initiatives and strategic brand positioning. With almost 20 years of experience—including a significant tenure managing the marketing strategy for Sling’s Latino Line of Business—and an M.B.A. from St. Edward’s University, Andrea brings a wealth of expertise in audience acquisition, digital strategy, and cross-functional leadership to the Ballet Nepantla Board of Directors.

Cynthia Muñoz

Cynthia Muñoz is a producer, promoter and presenter of Latino cultural arts programming with more than 200 productions to her credit. She is best known as the producer of the Mariachi Extravaganza, the largest and most renowned mariachi music festival in the world featuring national-level competitions. Under her leadership, the festival has become a launchpad for emerging talent, with winners going on to perform on National stages. 

The festival has been featured on “Mariachi High” (2012/PBS) and is currently featured in the Netflix documentary Going Varsity in Mariachi and in the New York Times Magazine article, “A Championship Season in Mariachi Country.”

Through year-round programming, Cynthia has presented countless acclaimed artists, including the legendary Mexico City–based Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán and the rising New York City–based dance company Ballet Nepantla. Her work has opened doors of opportunity for young performers while celebrating and preserving the rich cultural traditions of Hispanic heritage.

Cynthia is the President of Muñoz Public Relations (MPR), a company she founded more than 30 years ago. In addition to leading the firm, she serves as producer of the Mariachi Extravaganza and as an artist representative for select cultural arts organizations.

Born and raised in San Antonio, Cynthia continues to live in the city she loves. Through Muñoz Public Relations, she remains committed to presenting high-quality Latino cultural arts programming. MPR is proud to represent Ballet Nepantla, a company that exemplifies excellence in dance and cultural storytelling.

Lolly Peña

Lolly Peña is the Education officer at the Museum of South Texas History in Edinburg, Texas. She is a product of Edinburg CISD and Pan American University (now UTRGV). With over forty-four years’ experience in teaching, consultation; and, educational administration, she is Texas-certified in Social Studies, Fine Arts (Dance Education), Applied Technology/Virtual Web-instructor; and is an American Library Association/ALA-certified librarian. Additional academic credentials include a Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies (TWU); a Master’s degree in Business Administration (OLLU); and, a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership (OLLU). Most recently, she completed her Ph.D. research studies in Organizational Leadership (NU). A published technology reference librarian, she has presented at several national and state conferences promoting the importance of lifetime digital literacy in our schools.

David Rice

David Rice is a writer from Edcouch in South Texas. He has written three collections of short stories. He visits schools across Texas meeting with students and teachers. He is a supporter of the Arts: film, music, literature, and dance. David is currently an Associate Professor of English at Austin Community College in Austin, Texas.

Monica Valadez

Monica Valadez received the values of service to others from a very early age. Both her parents were Mexican nationals, and she herself was born in Guanajuato, Mexico. Growing up in Central Texas and attending public schools in the United States, both afforded her the opportunity for an education at multiple levels, as well as the motivation to work in the service of students and families that struggled with many of the same barriers that she and her family experienced: language, culture, and isolation. Beyond the gifts bestowed on her of a formal education, she has received invaluable formation in her faith in God, and in the strength of family and community. With and through these strengths, she has served over 20 years and alongside many powerful warriors in public education, to highlight the stories, brilliance, and wisdom of our community's children, youth, and families. She currently serves as the Director of Multilingual Services and Community Engagement for San Marcos CISD, and is a proud community member since 2011.

Jaime Vela

Jaime Vela is a District Manager with Farmers Insurance in El Paso, Texas, where he leads the development, recruitment, and growth of agency owners across the region. Since launching his district in 2007 from the ground up, he has focused on helping entrepreneurs build successful insurance agencies and develop long-term business careers.

Prior to entering the insurance industry, Jaime spent 14 years in public education as a teacher and principal, where he developed a passion for leadership, mentorship, and professional development. 

Jaime began his career with Farmers as an agency owner in South Texas, successfully building his business and earning multiple Topper Club and Championship honors. As a district manager, he has qualified for 11 Topper Clubs, 4 Championships, and President’s Council five times, reflecting his commitment to performance and leadership.

A graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, Jaime holds a degree in Education and a Master’s degree in School Administration. Jaime also buys real estate, with investment properties spread out across the country.

Jaime is passionate about developing business leaders and helping individuals build their own businesses through the Farmers Insurance agency program.