In 2017, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg tapped University Health System Foundation president Lourdes Castro Ramírez to lead a new task force to address issues related to housing. Her mission was to shepherd a process that would result in a policy framework for the City Council to address pressing housing challenges including affordability, gentrification and displacement.
Ramírez, a former Principal Deputy Assistant for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under President Barack Obama, volunteered her time and expertise with the aim of developing a plan that stems, and ultimately reduces, the tide of San Antonio housing costs that are outpacing residents’ incomes.
The Housing Policy Task Force released its recommendations in June of 2018. Ramírez joined University Health System in February of 2017.
Stepping in to Provide Strategic Leadership
In October of 2018, Rebecca Q. Cedillo, University Health System Business and Community Impact Officer and former secretary of the Bexar County Hospital District Board of Managers, was named interim president and CEO of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
As a recent past-chair of the Hispanic Chamber, Cedillo was a natural fit for the interim position which became necessary when president and CEO Ramiro Cavazos was tapped to lead the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Cedillo provided consistent leadership and knowledge, as the chamber’s board embarked on a national search for a permanent replacement.
Cedillo, while “on lease” to the Hispanic Chamber, oversaw the advancement of numerous programs to showcase its small business and corporate members, and grow the next generation of entrepreneurs and skilled workforce, including the the Raising and Inspiring Successful Entrepreneurship (R.I.S.E.) children’s business education program and the chamber’s Latinos are Leaders campaign.
Cedillo returned to her full-time role at University Health System as Diane Sánchez began as president and CEO on February 2, 2019.