Theme: Humano

In the spirit of the TEDx culture, TEDx Socorro is so honored to create an experience of motivation, inspiration, and greater thinking. The inaugral TEDx Socorro Conference puts together a group of speakers from different backgrounds, industries and life paths to create an ensemble cast with the overarching theme: Humano a celebration of Hummanities: Arts, Language, Life, Music, Culture. Join us for an amazing experience like you have never seen before! (915) 860-8615

Moonlight Adobe Hall
10180 Socorro Rd.
Socorro, Texas, 79927
United States

Annette Gutierrez

Rio Grande Council of Governments Executive Director

Annette Gutierrez has held her position with the COG since February of 2009. Before serving as the Executive Director, Ms. Gutierrez has held various positions within the organization, which include: Regional Services Director, Regional Services Manager, and Economic Development Coordinator. In July of this year, she will be celebrating her 23rd anniversary of employment with the Rio Grande Council of Governments. Ms. Gutierrez became aware of Councils of Governments while interning for Southwest Junior College in Uvalde, Texas, and working with the Middle Rio Grande Development Council. Her goal has always been to serve in a leadership position that advises elected officials on policy issues, provides efficient delivery services to public organizations, and establishes partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies, universities, and nonprofits. Working at the Rio Grande Council of Governments enables her to achieve this goal on a daily basis.

Isidro Torres

Executive Director

Isidro is a proud produce of Socorro. He received his BA in Organizational and Corporate Communication (2017) and MBA (2020) from the University of Texas at El Paso. He began his time with NAMI El Paso in 2015 as a volunteer working on the website and other small projects. Having seen the impact stigma and the machismo culture has on mental health, he found a deep passion for the mission. He has held various roles within the organization since joining such as a Board Member, Outreach and Fundraising Coordinator, and Director of Outreach and Fundraising. He now proudly serves as the Executive Director. He is committed and dedicated in working alongside the board, staff, and wonderful volunteers to excelling mental health education awareness, support, and advocacy across the region. He has presented to Executive Directors across the NAMI Alliance to support their work and build their capacity. He has been highlighted in El Paso Matters as a Pride Hero during Pride Month 2022.

Jessica Meraz

Actress

An actress & writer born and raised El Paso,TX & of Mexican, Irish,& Scottish decent. Meraz got her start in acting at just 7 years old. With support from her family, Meraz participated in local plays & musicals before making her way to an acting camp in LA one summer in high school that determined that acting was what she wanted to pursue seriously. Meraz was determined to make her way back and moved to Los Angeles when she was 18. She has since landed many roles on various networks such as the supervillain “Menagerie” on the CW’s “Supergirl” and a main cast member on TNT’s hit show, “Major Crimes,” playing “Detective Camila Paige. Meraz is passionate about the El Paso film community and loves to be involved in a growing & fruitful community. She collaborates w/ Drew Mayor-Oaks, the El Paso Film Commissioner, & Robert Holguin, KFOX News Anchor and filmmaker. In addition to working in TV & film, Meraz lives a very active lifestyle and loves traveling, cooking, & the outdoors.

Johnny Escalante

Owner J&K

Founded in 2010, J&K Present has taken the entertainment life of El Paso by storm. The faces behind the live-events company, Johnny and Kiki, met in 2005. With their shared interest of entrepreneurship and having an eye for potential, they found a love for the variety of creative outlets the industry has to offer as well as operating on their own agendas. Johnny Escalante is a proud graduate from The University of Texas at El Paso and Kiki Cervantes from Texas Christian University. Some of their biggest professional achievements include appointed to several boards in our community such as DMD, Progress 321, El Paso Tourism, and the TABC IT Committee. With the constant growth and development El Paso undergoes, J&K Present plan to take advantage of the endless opportunities as well as venturing out to new endeavors, elevating the city even more.

Karla Mariscal

News Anchor

Karla Mariscal es co-presentadora de noticias para Noticiero Telemundo 48, el cual se transmite por Telemundo 48/ KTDO, la estación local que sirve la comunidad de habla hispana en el área fronteriza de El Paso, Texas. Como parte de Noticiero Telemundo 48, Mariscal reporta las noticias de último minuto y la información más importante para la comunidad fronteriza. Ella se especializa en la cobertura de temas políticos. Mariscal se unió a Telemundo 48 en el 2014, pero tiene experencia profunda en periodismo, comunicaciones y medios. Ella ha recibido múltiples nominaciones al premio Lone Star EMMY y ha sido galardonada en dos ocasiones por su desempeño como Presentadora de Noticias en Texas. Mariscal también recibió 3 premios EMMA como mejor Presentadora de la región y varios premios que otorga la Asociación de Prensa Asociada de Texas y Nuevo México como presentadora, reportera y productora.

Kiki Cervantes

Owner J&K

Founded in 2010, J&K Present has taken the entertainment life of El Paso by storm. The faces behind the live-events company, Johnny and Kiki, met in 2005. With their shared interest of entrepreneurship and having an eye for potential, they found a love for the variety of creative outlets the industry has to offer as well as operating on their own agendas. Johnny Escalante is a proud graduate from The University of Texas at El Paso and Kiki Cervantes from Texas Christian University. Some of their biggest professional achievements include appointed to several boards in our community such as DMD, Progress 321, El Paso Tourism, and the TABC IT Committee. With the constant growth and development El Paso undergoes, J&K Present plan to take advantage of the endless opportunities as well as venturing out to new endeavors, elevating the city even more.

Ruben Alvarez

Founder & Author

Ruben Alvarez is the Founder of The Marketing Hunters, a company that specializes in Branding and Market Positioning. His experience in Manufacturing, B2B sales and indirect marketing for nearly a decade allows him to create dynamic and powerful brands for others. Ruben was born in California, but migrated to El Paso when he saw the potential to help the city grow. Through events like Thrive IN Your City, he has helped bring the business community together to collaborate on the growth that is to come in El Paso. He is the Author of the International Book Brand Sharks: Unstoppable Strategies from Industry Leaders. In the book, he encourages new business owners and entrepreneurs to create unfair advantages for themselves. In becoming successful, it is critical to create in the mind of your potential client that you have something unique that cannot be found anywhere else, other than with you.