Esperanza (Hope) Andrade

Director Since 2024

Hope Andrade is a longtime Texas entrepreneur and lifelong leader in her hometown of San Antonio. She was Texas’ first Latina secretary of state, serving from 2008-12, and also served as commissioner and chair of the Texas Department of Transportation and commissioner representing employers on the Texas Workforce Commission. In the private sector, Andrade is a partner with Go Rio San Antonio River Cruises and co-founder and partner of Andrade-Van de Putte & Associates, a bipartisan consulting firm. She is an investor and board member with the San Antonio Missions Baseball Club.

In addition, Andrade has served as chair of numerous nonprofit boards and commissions, including the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Free Trade Alliance, the San Antonio Symphony and Our Lady of the Lake University. She has won numerous personal, business, community and international awards and recognitions, such as the Texas Department of Transportation’s Roadhand Award, the San Antonio Leadership Hall of Fame Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Trefoil Award from the Girls Scouts, and Small Business Advocate from the U.S. Small Business Administration.