DreamHour Speaker Series

Francisco Martinez serves as the seventh President and CEO of Project QUEST, a nationally recognized nonprofit focused on workforce development. He joined the organization in 2021 as Director of Community Partnerships and was appointed CEO in 2024, bringing his diverse leadership experience to its mission of advancing economic mobility through education and career training.

DreamHour Speaker Series: WingIt/SipIt with Daryl Smith Sr.

From a college business project to a multi-location food and beverage brand, Daryl “Bossman Daryl” Smith is the co-founder of WingIT and SipIT Daiquiris To-Go. A veteran entrepreneur, he shares real-world lessons on hustle, leadership, and turning ideas into income.

DreamHour Speaker Series: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) with MARIA D. HOENIGMAN, M.A.

Maria Hoenigman is a dedicated mental health advocate and supporter committed to empowering individuals and families on their mental health journey. She serves as the Director of Support, Outreach & Bridges to Care SA for NAMI Greater San Antonio. Since joining NAMI GSA in 2022, she has overseen pre-crisis programs that provide mental health education, advocacy, and support to reduce stigma and prevent mental health crises. She also manages programs designed to assist individuals and families at various stages of their mental health journey.

With over 20 years of experience in the mental health field, Maria is devoted to helping families find their voice and start important mental health conversations, particularly in Latino and underserved communities. Maria really has enjoyed being boots on the ground and serving individuals and families directly but is grateful for the opportunity to help partner with organizations, build programs based on the needs of the communities to reach the most people as possible.

Maria earned her B.A. in Sociology and M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Mary’s University. She is married to her wonderful husband, Luke, a teacher, and they have three children (ages 16, 14, and 10), along with two beloved dogs. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, listening to music, watching her favorite shows, and indulging in charcuterie.

DreamHour Speaker Series: Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas with Denise Barkhurst

Denise Barkhurst is a seasoned social impact leader and the President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas, where she has led the organization for more than 15 years in advancing youth mentorship and community-based support systems. With deep expertise in nonprofit leadership, board development, and storytelling, Denise is widely respected for building strong partnerships that expand opportunity for young people across South Texas. She is also an active civic leader, serving on multiple boards and community initiatives focused on education, mentoring, and public trust.

DreamHour Speaker Series: Project MEND with Cathy Valdez

Cathy Valdez is the Chief Executive Officer of Project MEND, a San Antonio–based nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that mobility and independence are accessible to all. Under her leadership, Project MEND empowers individuals to become active members of their communities through the reuse and redistribution of medical equipment. By providing the right equipment at the right time, the organization improves quality of life for recipients and caregivers, supports economic mobility by helping clients return to work, advances environmental sustainability by diverting equipment from landfills, and strengthens overall community health. Cathy has led Project MEND since 2006 and is widely respected for her commitment to accessibility, dignity, and inclusive community development.

DreamHour Speaker Series: San Antonio AIDS Foundation with Cherise Rohr-Allegrini, PhD, MPH

Dr. Cherise Rohr-Allegrini has been the CEO of the San Antonio AIDS Foundation since 2020. She has over 30 years experience working in public health, including pandemic planning and managing outbreaks in Texas. In addition to her public health work, she has been a community leader, serving on the city’s Planning Commission, participating in the mayor’s housing task force, and LGBTQ+ advocacy.

DreamHour Speaker Series: AWN Leadership Consulting with Bonita Owens

Bonita Owens is an executive coach and organizational consultant who helps women professionals in fast-growing companies transition from subject matter expert to effective leader. She specializes in developing leadership mindset, communication skills, and strategic thinking that enables leaders to successfully navigate expanded responsibilities and drive results through others during organizational change.
She is especially passionate about helping women to increase their influence through self-leadership and self-awareness. She is a Dare To Lead Trained Professional and is committed to incorporating Brené Brown’s philosophy to help leaders build trust and authentic relationships.
Bonita is an Amazon best-selling author of the book “Who Stole My Significance” in which she shares her path to self-love, confidence, and courage and charges the reader to do the same.
She is an Army spouse of 25 years, and is a new empty nester.

DreamHour Speaker Series: Down Syndrome Association of South Texas with Brian Lopez

Brian started as Executive Director of the DSASTX in February 2020 after fifteen years of experience working with individuals challenged with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in the San Antonio area. Brian has worked with local direct service providers and the Alamo Local Authority/AACOG, served as Regional Director of Service Coordination for Hill Country MHDD Center in Kerrville, and was the Associate Director of Adult Day Services and Child Care Services at The Arc of San Antonio.

Brian is a strong advocate for inclusion and acceptance for those with Down syndrome and other disabilities in schools and our communities. He believes that when you judge someone based on a diagnosis you will then miss out on their abilities, joy, and love.

Brian has a love for sharks, all things Star Wars, the Texas Longhorns and the Dallas Cowboys, and of course Dr. Pepper!

DreamHour Speaker Series: The Arc of San Antonio with Dona Kotzur

Dona Kotzur, M.S. is a native San Antonian and mission-driven nonprofit executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience across large-scale operations, fundraising, advocacy, and organizational change. She currently serves as President and CEO of The Arc of San Antonio, where she leads a $4.6 million organization serving more than 2,300 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families throughout the region.

Dona is known for translating vision into measurable results, strengthening governance and financial sustainability, and building people-centered cultures in complex environments. Her career includes senior nonprofit development leadership and 25 years with H-E-B, overseeing multi-site operations and coaching high-performing teams. A lifelong San Antonian with a deep passion for the city’s history, Dona brings a strong sense of place to her leadership and advocacy. She is married to her husband, Mel, and together they are the proud parents of two rescue beagles, Phoebe and Ellie.

DreamHour Speaker Series: Clarity Child Guidance Center with Jessica Knudsen

Jessica Knudsen, LCSW, took over the role of CEO and President in February 2019. She was selected by Clarity CGC’s board of directors after a nationwide search. She comes to Clarity CGC from Holly Hill Hospital, one of North Carolina’s leading psychiatric and addiction treatment facilities for children and adults, where she acted in a dual role as the chief operating officer and director of risk management and performance improvement. Knudsen received her masters of science in social work from University of Texas at Austin and her BS in psychology from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She then received her license in clinical social work from the State of North Carolina. Prior to joining the Holly Hill team, she held roles in therapy and directorial positions at other behavioral health facilities.

DreamHour Speaker Series: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Commission with Dr. Doshie Piper

DreamHour Speaker Series: Alamo City Arts with Cory McRae

DreamHour Speaker Series: San Antonio Food Bank with Eric Cooper

DreamHour Speaker Series: ABC of Southwest Texas with Chelsea Steele

DreamHour Speaker Series: House of Neighborly Service with Sandra A. Morales

DreamHour Speaker Series: YMCA of Greater San Antonio with Louis Lopez

DreamHour Speaker Series: Carver Community Cultural Center with Cassandra Parker-Nowicki

DreamDreamHour Speaker Series: Opportunity Home San Antonio with Michael Reyes

DreamHour Speaker Series: Community First Health Plans with Theresa Scepanski

DreamHour Speaker Series: Community First Health Plans with Cynthia De La Pena

Cynthia De La Peña is a professional in the health care industry with over 24 years of experience. As a Director of Corporate Communications at Community First Health Plans, she oversees Community Development, Public Relations, Outreach & Marketing, Account Services & Education, and Employee Engagement.

A proud first-generation Latina, Cynthia leads with heart, cultural pride, and a deep understanding of the communities she serves. She recognizes the importance of education and access, which fuels her passion for helping underserved populations and the medically fragile. In her role at Community First Health Plans, she has created strategic partnerships and impactful initiatives that have helped improve health outcomes in San Antonio and the surrounding seven counties.

Cynthia has played a key role in creating and launching innovative health programs and community wellness events designed to expand outreach and improve well-being across the region. Her work reflects a strong commitment to inclusion and empowerment.

DreamHour Speaker Series: Community First Health Plans with Judy Razo