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2026 Board of Directors



President

Linda Salazar

president@tdsanantonio.org 

In her 25+ years as an acclaimed corporate trainer Linda Salazar has created courses attended by thousands of people in over 100 countries. Her passion is helping people achieve their personal and professional goals by growing their knowledge, skills, and abilities. She ensures her participants learn and have a great time doing it. Ms. Salazar enjoys volunteering on the board of the Association for Talent Development¬--San Antonio chapter as VP of Special Events (2022-2024), President-elect (2025), and President (2026). She also served as a Helotes City Council member (2020-2022).


President Elect

Sam Caballero

preselect@tdsanantonio.org 

Sam Caballero is a Talent Development professional and the co-founder and CEO of Pivotn, a leadership engagement organization that equips individuals to elevate their contribution and impact at work. A retired Senior Advisor for the U.S. Air Force Reserve Professional Development Center, Sam has supported workforce development across organizations such as the City of San Antonio, Burger King, and Chevron.

He serves as VP of Finance for ATD San Antonio and Director of Strategy for iEmpower. Sam is an Associate Certified Coach (ICF), a Certified Professional in Talent Development (ATD), and a certified practitioner of MBTI and TKI. His purpose is to help people make intentional pivots that strengthen their leadership, clarity, and future direction.



Past President 

Vanessa Vasquez


pastpres@tdsanantonio.org 

Vanessa is the Founder and Principal Learning Consultant of Cultura Catalyst Consulting dedicated to the cultivation of spaces where people can learn, share and grow. She has empowered teams in an inclusive talent development environment throughout over twenty years working with restaurant and hospitality companies, the financial technology industry and most recently the non-profit and small business sectors. In 2020, Vanessa joined the LEAPS Planning Committee which started her journey into leadership with ATD San Antonio as she continued that involvement until 2024; when she joined the Board as President Elect. Her passion lies in supporting efforts around equitable sustainability, digital transformation and leadership development. She is an advocate and ambassador for community involvement through her work as Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas Technology State Chair, American Red Cross of Central South Texas Board Member, an #IAmRemarkable Global Initiative Certified Facilitator, San Antonio Area Foundation Equity Fellow, Alexander Briseno Leadership Development Program and Steering Committee, Latina Leadership Institute alumni and Steering Committee. Vanessa currently resides in San Antonio with her partner Ben and their rescue dog, Opal the Schnauzer.


President Emeritus

Jacque Burandt

presidentemeritus@tdsanantonio.org

After retiring from University Health in 2017, I founded Award-winning Results, supporting many superstar clients, local and global, to shine a spotlight on their great work through awards and recognition. My life's work and my strength is communication and connection--facilitating, keynote speaking, writing, and consulting. I am honored to be an active member of ATD nationally and locally, and enjoy giving back to my community. I am a member of the ALICE at Work Advisory Collaborative.


VP Membership

Mandy Smith


membership@tdsanantonio.org

Mandy Smith is a leadership and communication coach, advisor, and facilitator, and the founder of Spitfire Academy. With over 20 years of experience leading corporate learning and development, she equips leaders with the skills to navigate change, communicate with clarity, address challenges directly, and make strategic, confident decisions that drive team performance and service outcomes.

Her sessions are practical, engaging, and built around real-world scenarios, giving leaders tools they can immediately apply to improve communication, strengthen accountability, and adapt effectively when priorities shift.


VP Talent Development 

Brandon Robertson

talentdev@tdsanantonio.org


I’m a Learning Delivery Facilitator with H-E-B with 8+ years in HR and L&D.
I design and facilitate high-impact learning experiences that build better leaders, stronger teams, and real behavior change. From leadership and communication to team dynamics and self-awareness, my focus is simple. Make learning and engaging experience that sticks! 


What I focus on:
• Experiential facilitation that drives engagement, ownership, and retention
• Leadership and team development that builds confidence and capability
• Transforming programs from “good content” into meaningful, lasting impact


VP Community Engagement

Esteban Ramon


community@tdsanantonio.org

Esteban Ramon is a Learning and Development leader who turns big ideas into practical solutions people can use right away. He focuses on leadership development, and performance, building programs that hold up in real work. He is a CPTD and Kirkpatrick Bronze Certified professional, as well as Gallup Strengths Certified, and partners with leaders to strengthen how managers lead, coach, and get results. His work centers on behavior change and measurable outcomes, grounded in facilitation, coaching, and adult learning.



Director - Community Engagement

Dr. Caitlin Walker West

Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, Dr. Caitlin Walker West (Dr. C) has supported under-resourced communities in Texas for over a decade.  ​In addition to founding coaching and consulting companies aimed at driving social impact, she has held senior and executive leadership positions in civic engagement, healthcare, and tech organizations.  She is also the founder and president of Levántatech, a Latina serving tech-literacy nonprofit where she promotes ensuring skilled workforces and flourishing economies.  

​Dr. C holds her clinical doctorate in physical therapy, a Master of Business Administration, and a graduate certificate in learning design and technology.



VP Finance

Tony Bowie

finance@tdsanantonio.org

Tony Bowie brings more than 30 years of experience across leadership, management, training, technology, and human resources disciplines. His career spans both government and industry, where he has successfully designed, developed, and delivered countless classroom and online learning events. An accomplished project manager, Tony has led numerous complex initiatives and is also trained in mediation, internal investigations, and staff recruitment. He is experienced as a Project Manager, Instructional Designer, Developer, Integrator, and Leadership Consultant. Tony is a published author and TEDx speaker.

Professional Credentials:

Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD), Association for Talent Development


VP Special Events

Sofia Gayou

specialevents@tdsanantonio.org

Sofía, Learning Experience Partner at Brundage Management Company, builds comprehensive learning strategies that align with business objectives and enable employees to succeed professionally and thrive personally. She advises senior leaders on workforce development, leads large‑scale initiatives, and coaches rising talent. Sofia standardizes best‑practice methodologies and uses disciplined evaluation to demonstrate ROI, strengthening the learning culture and talent pipeline while improving organizational capability

With a master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from St. Mary’s University, Sofia brings expertise in workplace behavior, organizational effectiveness, and employee development. She uses her knowledge to craft engaging programs that empower employees to excel in their roles and advance their careers.



VP Marketing & Communications

Shylo Brandenburg


communication@tdsanantonio.org

As a successful professional with a dynamic blend of business, library, and higher education expertise, I specialize in leading cross-functional teams and crafting engaging online courses for adult learners. Proficient in customer service, project coordination, business administration, and professional development, I bring a unique, multifaceted approach to every endeavor. My goal is to make online spaces accessible and welcoming for all. In my personal time, I love to learn and explore. You can usually find me lost in the latest bookstore or trying out new boba tea or coffee shops.


Director - Technology

Cassidy Fields, MS, CSM

dirtechnology@tdsanantonio.org

Cassidy is a Learning & Development leader who’s passionate about helping people grow through learning that feels meaningful, practical, and human. My expertise spans talent management, AI technology, project management, and instructional design, shaped by experience across multiple industries—both professionally and through volunteer leadership.

Cassidy loves designing learning experiences and business solutions that meet people where they are, support real behavior change, and work for diverse audiences.

Outside of her career, she's a mother and wife who finds joy in creativity, connection, and intentional community. You can usually find her  crocheting, planning out life in her favorite planner, or gathering with friends for a Bible study full of thoughtful conversation, laughter, and plenty of coffee.



Director - Programs

George Alvarado 

dirprograms@tdsanantonio.org

George is an organization and talent development leader who is passionate about building relationships and partnerships that engage talent, enhance performance, and achieve meaningful business outcomes. With his expertise in business excellence, facilitation, coaching, leadership development, data analytics, and operational excellence, he helps leaders maximize impact while cultivating people-centered learning cultures grounded in curiosity and continuous improvement.

Affectionately nicknamed “Curious George,” he excels at the intersection of strategic thinking  and problem solving. For him, curiosity fuels innovation, engagement, and solutions that last. 



Director - Member Engagement

Sofia Gayou


direngagement@tdsanantonio.org

Sofía is a Talent Development Specialist at Brundage Management Company, where she designs, develops, manages, and facilitates learning solutions that align with operational goals and promote employee growth. Her work focuses on equipping employees with the tools they need to succeed professionally and thrive personally.

With a master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from St. Mary’s University, Sofia brings expertise in workplace behavior, organizational effectiveness, and employee development. She uses her knowledge to craft engaging programs that empower employees to excel in their roles and advance their careers.

Sofia is passionate about fostering opportunities for learning and development, believing that thriving employees contribute to thriving organizations. Her mission is to create environments where growth and success are possible for everyone.

Sofia’s enjoys tending to her collection of house plants and getting involved with the community when not at work.


Director - Events

Jeri-Ashley Bremer 
direngagement@tdsanantonio.org

Jeri-Ashley DeLeon Bremer is a leadership development consultant and executive coach who helps people and organizations lead with clarity, confidence, and care—without burning out. With nearly 20 years of experience across education, nonprofit, and small business spaces, she partners with leaders who want to build strong teams, healthy cultures, and systems that actually support the people doing the work.

As a certified EQ-i 2.0 practitioner, Jeri-Ashley integrates emotional intelligence into leadership development, coaching, and facilitation—helping leaders better understand their patterns, strengthen communication, and make values-aligned decisions. Her work blends research-backed frameworks with practical, human-centered tools leaders can use right away.

Jeri-Ashley holds a B.A. in Sociology from St. Mary’s University and an M.S. in Education from Johns Hopkins University. She is honored to serve on the board of her local Association for Talent Development chapter and is deeply committed to growing leadership capacity in her community.


Association for Talent Development - San Antonio | PO Box 690327, San Antonio, TX 78269 | Email Us | Chapter ChIP Code CH7086




ATD-SA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

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