WHO WE ARE

City Education Partners knows that addressing San Antonio’s education equity gap requires investments in the creation of high-quality schools and empowered communities. Our dedicated team works together with the community and our partners to implement innovative programs in service to lasting student success, from the classroom to the living room.

VISION & MISSION

At City Education Partners, we envision a future where every child in San Antonio attends a school that prepares them to powerfully engage with life. Our mission is to cultivate a vibrant educational ecosystem across San Antonio, ensuring every child in every zip code thrives, through great schools, talented teachers and leaders, and powerful advocacy.

OUR STAFF

Chief Executive Officer

Dalia Flores Contreras

Dalia Flores Contreras is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at City Education Partners (CEP). Contreras grew up on the Westside of San Antonio and is a graduate of both Palo Alto College (PAC) and The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). She holds a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies and a Master of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from UTSA.

She has over 20 years of experience in education and has served in a variety of roles — from classroom teacher to superintendent of schools. She had the opportunity to study, learn and work in the education ecosystem of Texas, Illinois and Oklahoma in both district and charter public school systems.

Chief of Operations & Investments

Jillian Duran

Jillian Duran is a native of San Antonio’s south side who learned from experience that access to education can open doors. She has extensive experience in management consulting and has also worked for and with local schools for the last 9 years. At CEP Jillian supports the CEO with all things operations and finance, and also works to deploy funds to local schools bringing high quality seats to San Antonio.

Jillian previously served as the Chief of Staff for KIPP Texas – San Antonio and received her B.S. in Mathematics from Georgetown University.

Director of Talent

Gladys Karén Hernández

Gladys Karén Hernández is a trilingual Latina with expertise collaborating with a diverse network of multi-sector organizations, institutions, and corporations to identify opportunity within and across education systems. Growing up a first-generation college graduate, it is Gladys’ belief that all students deserve to learn, thrive, and grow. As an educator who has served in the classroom to executive roles of educational leadership, Gladys is energized by the development and expansion of programs that lift up students, teachers, and local school communities inviting folks to engage as advocates and leaders in the San Antonio education ecosystem and beyond.

Gladys holds a Masters in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from The University of Texas at San Antonio and a Masters in Business Administration from St. Mary’s University.

Communications Director

Jennifer Limas-Mota

Jennifer Limas-Mota has senior level expertise in strategic communications, advocacy, and project management. Jennifer has spent her professional career working alongside mission driven organizations who make an impact. She has previously served in leadership roles for New Frontiers Public Schools, Texas Public Charter Schools Association, Texas CASA, and the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition.

A native South Texan and proud University of Texas graduate, Jennifer is passionate about empowering underserved communities access to quality public education.

Executive Assistant

Lizette Eckman

Lizette Eckman has almost 30 years of executive assistant experience. She has supported executives and served as an administrative leader in various industries ranging from hospitality, telecom, a major grocer, and education. Born on the River Walk, Lizette is a proud San Antonio native that loves to travel the world with her husband of over 21 years. The first to graduate college in her family, she holds a BA in French from UTSA and spent a summer studying at the Sorbonne in Paris.

Lizette and her husband, James, love animals and have numerous cats, dogs, birds, fish and bees.