The keynote speaker for this year’s Symposium will be the Consul of Mexico in Oklahoma City, Edurne Pineda, who brings 25 years of diplomatic experience, specializing in consular affairs. She was appointed to the Consulates General of Mexico in Chicago, Atlanta, and Dallas, where she served as deputy consul general for a decade before becoming head consul in Oklahoma City in October 2022. Since opening its doors on May 20, 2023, the consulate has been dedicated to serving Oklahoma’s Mexican community and enhancing bilateral relations between Mexico and Oklahoma in government, economics, culture, and tourism. With nearly half a million Mexican nationals in Oklahoma, the consulate promotes mutual understanding through cultural events, education, and diplomatic initiatives, preserving our historical ties and fostering cooperation and respect between the two regions.