Rosa de Esperanza

08/29/2026

Introducing our Mistress of Ceremonies, Ms. Marcy Martinez, our very own local celebrity!

With more than 25 years of experience in media and public relations, former local news anchor Marcy Martinez has honed her skills to provide quality communications services in health care, education, and city government. A Harlingen native, Martinez returned home after receiving her degree from Texas A&M University Kingsville, and has worked tirelessly each day for the residents of the Rio Grande Valley.

08/29/2026

Our featured speaker is my own oncologist. An expert in her field and a friend who serves on our board.

Jessica Treviño Jones, MD, is an associate professor in the Division of Hematology-Oncology at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and a breast medical oncologist at Mays Cancer Center, home to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center. She is also the founder and director of Mays Cancer Center's Cancer Risk Reduction and Education Clinic. After earning her medical degree from The University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, Jones completed a residency in internal medicine followed by a hematology-oncology fellowship with a focus on breast cancer. She is a first-generation Hispanic college graduate.

Jones began her career at UTHealth Houston, where she pioneered the McGovern Medical School’s Breast Cancer Prevention Program, emphasizing proactive healthcare strategies. Her commitment to education earned her the prestigious Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Presidential Scholar award during medical school and subsequent accolades, such as the Dean’s Special Recognition for Teaching Excellence.

Jones collaborates with research clinicians across Texas, including UT Health Rio Grande Valley. As a breast oncologist and cancer prevention expert, she focuses on risk reduction, adherence and improving the quality of life for her patients, particularly those in underserved communities at higher risk of breast cancer. Her advocacy extends beyond clinical settings for her patients - Jones often lends her expertise to local and national news syndicates as an expert advisor.

08/28/2026

Sponsor a table!
Join us for the 3rd Annual Brunch
8 people per table

Join us for the 3rd Annual Brunch 🌹—a warm gathering to share food, stories, and connection. Together, we celebrate the resilience and potential within…

08/28/2026

Entertainment

Entertainment will be provided by cousins Alex Coba and Lauren Ashley Galbreath, who grew up singing and making music together in their hometown of Harlingen, Texas. Both began their musical journeys singing and playing at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in La Feria, Texas, making it especially meaningful that they are blessed to be home together and sharing their talents with us.

Alex Coba is an American country and folk singer/songwriter and musician who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. He frequently performs throughout the Texas music circuit, captivating audiences with emotionally rich, narrative-driven songs. Alex has earned recognition within the independent Texas music community, including through the Texas Country Music Association (TCMA).

His accomplishments include being recognized as a Songwriter Contest Finalist and receiving honorable mentions in the TCMA Songwriter Contest for his original songs, “Let Them All” and “Heaven.” He has also been named a finalist in the Christian Country Songwriting category by the Texas Country Music Association for his faith-inspired compositions.

Lauren Ashley Galbreath is truly a “Jill of all trades.” A talented singer/songwriter and musician, Lauren currently resides in San Rafael, California, where she regularly performs at local wineries, events, and venues with her band. You may also remember Lauren performing at Wanna Wanna’s during her college years.

In addition to her musical talents, Lauren holds a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science and works as an exercise specialist serving clients throughout Marin County. Outside of work and music, she enjoys mountain biking, off-roading, and camping with her husband and their pets in their 4Runner.

We are especially grateful and excited to have both Alex and Lauren home at the same time. Their shared love of music, family, faith, and their South Texas roots makes their performance a very special part of our celebration. Francis Xavier church La Feria

08/27/2026

It just gets better and better! We welcome Dr. Lisa Peña to Rosa de Esperanza.

Dr. Lisa Peña is a pharmacist, licensed therapist, writer, speaker, and breast cancer survivor whose work explores how we build meaningful lives alongside circumstances we never chose and cannot always change. Dr. Peña’s professional and personal worlds collided when her daughter was diagnosed with an ultra-rare genetic disorder that resulted in severe disabilities and transformed nearly every aspect of their family’s life. Her experiences with cancer, caregiving, grief, and motherhood ultimately led her back to school to study mental health and the psychology of living through life-altering experiences. Today, she is the founder of Saved You a Seat Therapy and host of the Loving Lemons podcast, where she combines psychology, research, storytelling, and lived experience to explore what it means to live well even when everything isn’t well. Lisa has hosted multiple events throughout the Rio Grande Valley bringing mothers of children with disabilities together for connection, support, and community. You might also have seen her on the first ever Magnolia Silos Baking Competition with Joanna Gaines where she was runner-up with a cream pie cookie featuring the valley’s own Ruby Red grapefruits.

08/27/2026

Honored to have Heather Smith be one of our speakers!

Heather Smith, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC grew up in Utah but has proudly called the Rio Grande Valley home for more than 20 years. Through her work as a Sports Medicine Nurse Practitioner and her commitment to serving others, she has developed deep roots and meaningful connections throughout the community.

Heather has volunteered with numerous organizations, including the Texas Nurse Practitioners Association, Junior League of Harlingen, Culture of Life Ministries, CASA, and Blue Sunday. Her passion for healthcare and service is deeply personal. As the daughter of a breast cancer survivor, Heather has always understood the impact of breast cancer. In November 2025, she received her own breast cancer diagnosis, bringing a new and deeply personal perspective to her journey.

Through it all, Heather remains grounded in her faith, family, and community. She is the proud wife of Noel Smith and mom to three adult children—Andrew, Lauren, and Maya. Heather’s story is one of resilience, compassion, service, and hope, and she is committed to using her experience to encourage and support others along the way.

08/26/2026

Thank you to the Moises Vela Middle School cheerleaders
who will be cheering us on at brunch!

08/26/2026

We are overjoyed Sister Norma Pimentel will be joining us at our brunch this year, Oct. 3! She will open the event with some words of hope and a blessing!

Sister Norma Pimentel, MJ, is a religious sister of the Missionaries of Jesus and Executive Director of Catholic
Charities of the Rio Grande Valley – named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2020 and one of
TIME’s Women of the Year in 2026. For more than four decades, Sister Pimentel has ministered to migrants
and refugees at the U.S.
–Mexico border. In 2014, she brought her community together to establish the
Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, Texas, which grew into the largest respite center in the country,
welcoming over half a million immigrants; as migration patterns shifted, its mission expanded to serve the
Valley’s elderly, hungry, and homeless. Known as the Pope’s favorite nun, Sister Pimentel holds degrees in
fine arts, theology, and pastoral counseling, more than five honorary doctorates, and distinctions including
the University of Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal. She is also a painter whose portraits of the migrant families
she serves have captivated audiences. Rosie Cobarrubias
Vannie Coby