Sherry Dowlatshahi Chief of Protocol

Ms. Dowlatshahi  is currently Chief of Protocol for the City of San Antonio International Relations Office. She advises, assists and supports San Antonio officials on matters of diplomatic procedure. Sherry is also responsible for providing assistance in planning visits and welcoming high-level guests, diplomats, foreign officials and other distinguished guests to San Antonio and City Hall.  With over 25 years of experience in the area of international education, she brings to the Department extensive global experience, having lived primarily in England, Iran, Egypt, Mexico and the United States and traveled numerous countries.  She is fluent in 4 languages, including Spanish, Farsi and French and has a basic knowledge of Arabic and Italian.   She holds a Bachelor of Arts Honors Degree in "Modern Languages: Arabic and Spanish", with a specialization in Latin America and the Arab World, from the University of Westminster in London, England.   She then obtained a Master of Philosophy from the University of Cambridge in History with a focus on Latin American Studies specializing in the History of Mexico. Ms. Dowlatshahi is enthusiastic about raising San Antonio’s global profile and citizen awareness about opportunities for mutual enrichment.   A strong believer in the power of communication, she advocates clear and transparent dialogue amongst all parties as the key to for the successful outcome of any program, be it a private or public sector initiative.

Mark Henderson International Relations Specialist

Mr. Henderson currently is fulfilling the roll of International Relations Specialist for the International Relations Office. In his role he is responsible for assisting the Chief of Protocol in hosting official foreign delegations through event planning, logistical support and official correspondence. His responsibilities also involve interfacing with local organizations to coordinate & provide support for international initiatives within San Antonio, especially having to do with San Antonio's sister city relationships. Mr. Henderson is a recent local graduate of the University of the Incarnate Word where he studied under the resident diplomat Ambassador James Creagan in the area of International Affairs & Government. He has focused his studies in the areas of East & Southeast Asia, studying abroad in places like Southern China and India where he studied history, business and mandarin Chinese. His most recent international endeavor before taking on his position at the city was teaching English in Gwangju, South Korea. Now that he is back in San Antonio he is pursuing his master's degree in International Politics at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Mr. Henderson is passionate about international relationships and being a native of San Antonio is vested in expanding the city's visibility on a global scale.

Jill Metcalfe Director Casa San Antonio in Mexico City

Since 1999, Ms. Metcalfe has been the international business representation for the City of San Antonio, in the Central and Southeast Mexico including Mexico City, where 80% of businesses Corporations Headquarters are located.  She organizes trade missions for San Antonio businesses and sends Mexican businesses to San Antonio for trade, investment, exchange and development.   Ms. Metcalfe is fully bicultural American/Mexican; complete fluency in Spanish and offers her business experience  from nine years as a Financial Advisor in Mexico, a former small business owner,  President of the Board of Directors of the Association of   U.S. State Offices in Mexico ASOM, Vice President Board of Directors of  American Society of Mexico and Member of the Board of Advisors of Mexec.   Her acumen allow her to share her insight of the Mexican business arena to insure San Antonio entrepreneurs have the information to obtain the results they seek.

Alejandra Sada Director Casa San Antonio in Monterrey

With degrees in Law and Business Administration, coupled with over twenty five years in the public and private sectors, Ms. Sada brings a unique perspective and wealth of experience including the Municipal Government of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon in the Economic  and Social Development Department and private business ventures. Alejandra is fully conversant with English and French having studied in New York, England and France. A community activist, Alejandra has been a member and president of well-known charitable, social and political organizations. She was President of the Desarrollo Integral de la Familia Progam (DIF) in the important suburban city of San Pedro, Nuevo Leon over two three year periods, (this is a national program headed by the wife of the President of Mexico). Further, Alejandra has been a Member of the Board of Asociacion Gilberto over the past twenty years. She is a member of the State of Nuevo Leon Executive Committee of the national political party Partido de Accion Nacional (PAN) and was a member of the organizing committee for the Mayoral Candidate for San Pedro, Nuevo Leon. Alejandra was a volunteer member of ANSPAC (National Association for the Improvement of the Human Person) for over ten years.

Tomas Lopez Director Casa San Antonio in Guadalajara

Tomas Lopez has developed a successful career as an entrepreneur. He is owner of Tegrafik (Printing Arts Mexico S de RL de CV), an organization with a 25 year history in the market. With a Masters in Human Development, Mr. Lopez has completed several diplomas in the fields of business administration and business management.   Since 1995, his experience, knowledge and skills have permitted him to play key-roles in Mexico's entrepreneurial sector.   He has served as President of the National Chamber of Graphic Arts Industries (CANAGRAF), Vice-president of the National Confederation of Industrial Chambers (CONCAMIN), Coordinator of the Industrial Chambers Board of Jalisco (CCIJ) and Project Coordinator at the United National Development Program (PNUD), in Mexico. Mr. Lopez has been active in philanthropy and currently serves as Vice-President of the non-profit organization “Guadalajara 2020”, is the Coordinator of the Seminar “Guadalajara, a visionary metropolis”, is the Coordinator for   “La Via Recreactiva” (Car Free Sundays), and President of “Guadalajara en Red” which consists of the implementation of hot spots in its downtown.