Following the February 12th performance of Real Women Have Curves, Alley Theatre is excited to host a panel of local, Latina entrepreneurs who will connect their personal experiences as business owners to those reflected on the stage! Moderated by the remarkable Dr. Laura Murillo, this post-show Alley Chat shines a spotlight on our Houston community and the range of perspectives they offer on entrepreneurship, leadership, and perseverance. Learn more about each of our participants below:
Moderator: Dr. Laura Murillo
Dr. Laura Murillo is President and CEO of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a role she has held since 2007. Under her leadership, the Chamber has become one of the most influential in the nation, achieving record-breaking growth and earning National and Regional Hispanic Chamber of the Year honors. She is also the Founding President and CEO of the Greater Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Founding Executive Producer and Host of the Chamber’s television and radio programs on CBS-KHOU 11, Audacy, and Univision, reaching a combined audience of more than 3.3 million. A national media commentator, podcaster, and #1 international best-selling author, Dr. Murillo was the first Houstonian appointed to the Federal Reserve System’s Community Advisory Council in Washington, D.C.
A University of Houston alumna with a bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate, Dr. Murillo has held senior executive roles in healthcare and serves on multiple corporate and civic boards, including Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. She has received numerous state, national, and international honors for her leadership and impact, including the Ohtli Award—the highest recognition bestowed by the Mexican government on Mexican Americans. Raised in Houston’s East End by Mexican immigrant parents, Dr. Murillo remains committed to advancing economic opportunity, civic leadership, and community empowerment.
Blanca Garza | Segundo Work Desk
Blanca Garza is a seasoned investment professional with nearly 3 decades of experience in fixed income portfolio management at Vaughan Nelson Investment Management. Born in Monterrey, Mexico, and raised in Houston’s Second Ward, Blanca brings a rich cultural perspective and deep commitment to community advocacy. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees in French and Spanish from the University of Houston, an MBA from the University of St. Thomas, as well as a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute.
In addition to her investment career, Blanca is an accomplished commercial real‑estate owner and developer. She owns the commercial property at 241 N. Milby St, in Houston’s Second Ward, now home to several nonprofit organizations as well as Segundo Work Desk, the co-working space she founded to support local entrepreneurs and creatives. Beyond her investment work, Blanca is also a founding member of the Segundo Barrio Children’s Chorus, serving 175 youth, and contributes her expertise as a board member for Super Neighborhood 63 and DiverseWorks.
Madeleine Rodriguez | La Paloma
Madeleine Rodriguez is the founder of La Paloma, a size inclusive clothing brand rooted in Mexican heritage and designed for everyday wear. La Paloma highlights traditional hand embroidery and craftsmanship, bringing those details into modern silhouettes that feel wearable, feminine, and accessible.
Based in Houston and originally from Brownsville, Texas, Madeleine started La Paloma with the goal of creating pieces that honor culture while meeting people where they are, focusing on fit, comfort, and representation. Through pop ups, local markets, and retail partnerships, La Paloma aims to celebrate community, storytelling, and fashion with roots.
Cecilia Rios Murrieta | JAS
Cecilia Rios Murrieta is the CEO & Co-Founder of JAS, a bold alcohol-free beverage brand that reimagines drinking culture with Latin-inspired flavors and functional ingredients. A former mezcalera turned wellness entrepreneur, Cecilia has spent more than a decade in the beverage industry — first building artisanal Mexican spirits brands like La Niña del Mezcal and ŌME Spirits, and now pioneering the fast-growing non-alcoholic category with JAS.
Her journey reflects both cultural pride and reinvention: from introducing mezcal to global audiences to now scaling JAS into Whole Foods stores across four states, backed by recognition from Fortune, Food & Wine, Forbes, and The Washington Post. She earned her MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, where she was a Batten Scholar, and is a recent finalist of the PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator.
As a speaker and advocate, Cecilia shares insights on entrepreneurship, multicultural brand building, and the evolving drinking culture. She champions the idea that choosing an alcohol-free lifestyle is a path to empowerment and transformation, opening space for new possibilities in how we celebrate with intention and flavor.
