Metropolitan Breakfast Club upcoming events

Miriam Smith, ACC Vice Chancellor (August 26, 2026)

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Miriam Smith, ACC Vice Chancellor & Executive Director, ACC Foundation

About the Speaker:

Miriam Smith serves as Vice Chancellor of College Advancement & Executive Director of the Austin Community College (ACC) Foundation. She is responsible for leading fundraising and donor engagement efforts, focusing on growing and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders to significantly increase philanthropic support for the institution and its vision.

Miriam brings nearly 20 years of extensive development and alumni relations experience, having worked at some of the most highly regarded institutions and organizations in the country, including the Fashion Institute of Technology, Manhattanville College, Columbia Artists Management, and Sarah Lawrence College.

She holds a Master of Music in Opera degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Binghamton in Binghamton, New York and a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York.

Agenda:

6:45am - Coffee & Networking

7:10am - Breakfast Buffet

7:25am - Introductions & Announcements

7:50am - Speaker Introduction

8:20am - Q&A

8:30am - Leave inspired or curious!

Laura Esparza, A3: Art Alliance Austin (September 02, 2026)

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Laura Esparza, Executive Director, A3: Art Alliance Austin

About the Program:

A3 sustains Austin’s arts ecosystem. Because we become a better community when we come together through the arts. And, this year, Fiesta is back!

About the Speaker:

Laura Esparza has devoted more than 40 years to the development of diverse communities through the arts with her skills and experience as a professional arts administrator, facility planner and organizational consultant. Her work has taken her throughout the country, having founded programs and facilities in Bellingham, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, San Antonio, Phoenix, Redwood City, San Jose and Austin.

For 17 years, she served as the Division Manager of the City’s 11 Museums and Cultural Centers which she ran for the City of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department. She successfully completed and opened three new cultural facilities, the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC), the Asian American Resource Center and Oakwood Cemetery Chapel.

She assisted with the completion of four additional projects including the reconstruction of the People’s Renaissance Market, the renovation of the Susannah Dickinson House, the renovation of the Carver Genealogy Center, and phase one of the restoration of the Ney Museum. In addition, she supervised the operations of the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, the Dougherty Arts Center, the Old Bakery and Emporium and the O. Henry Museum.

Agenda:

6:45am - Coffee & Networking

7:10am - Breakfast Buffet

7:25am - Introductions & Announcements

7:50am - Speaker Introduction

8:20am - Q&A

8:30am - Leave inspired or curious!

Liz Schoenfeld, LifeWorks Austin (September 09, 2026)

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Dr. Liz Schoenfeld, Chief Executive Officer, LifeWorks Austin

About the Program:

“We put people first, and data second.”

To tackle youth homelessness, we’ve built a model rooted in real needs, lived experience, and measurable impact. communities across the country are taking note.

About the Speaker:

Liz Schoenfeld is a self-professed "reformed researcher-turned-executive who puts people first and data second."

Agenda:

6:45am - Coffee & Networking

7:10am - Breakfast Buffet

7:25am - Introductions & Announcements

7:50am - Speaker Introduction

8:20am - Q&A

8:30am - Leave inspired or curious!

Andres Ramos, Texas Space Commission (September 16, 2026)

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Andres Ramos, Communications Director, Texas Space Commission

About the Program:

More info coming soon!

About the Speaker:

Andres M. Ramos serves as the Director of Communications for the Texas Space Commission, where he leads communications strategy, brand management, design, marketing, and stakeholder engagement for the agency.

A U.S. Army infantry officer and former public schoolteacher and nonprofit executive, Andres has dedicated his career to advancing public service by equipping executive teams with the tools to drive and communicate organizational impact. His work spans space, education, defense, and community organizing, with a focus on translating complex ideas into clear, actionable strategies that strengthen public trust and collaboration.

Originally from Los Angeles, CA, Andres is passionate about using communications as a force for opportunity and is motivated by working alongside others who want to make an impact on the world around them.

Agenda:

6:45am - Coffee & Networking

7:10am - Breakfast Buffet

7:25am - Introductions & Announcements

7:50am - Speaker Introduction

8:20am - Q&A

8:30am - Leave inspired or curious!