Senior Leadership

 

Mayra Ramon, Chief Schools Officer
mayra.ramon@tejanocenter.org

 

With more than 25 years of experience in public education, Ms. Mayra Ramon has built a distinguished career advancing teaching and learning, strengthening schools, and improving outcomes for students. She is dedicated to developing educators, leading strategic initiatives, and implementing systems that promote academic excellence and organizational effectiveness.

During her tenure with Houston Independent School District (HISD), Ms. Ramon served in executive and district leadership roles, including Executive Director of Instruction, School Support Officer, and Lead Principal. In these roles, she partnered with executive leaders and campus administrators to implement district priorities, guide school improvement efforts, strengthen instructional practices, and improve academic performance across multiple campuses.

Prior to serving in district leadership, Ms. Ramon served as a Principal for more than nine years at Sanchez Elementary and Crespo Fine Arts Magnet School. Under her leadership, both campuses earned the highest ratings awarded by the Texas Education Agency. Sanchez Elementary was recognized as a two-time Bronze and Silver National Award recipient by the National Center for Urban School Transformation, received multiple Houston Gold Ribbon Awards from Children at Risk, and earned every available TEA Distinction designation.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Ramon served as an Assistant Principal, Content Specialist, Teacher Specialist, and Classroom Teacher, teaching students at both the elementary and secondary levels. Her experience across the classroom, campus, and district levels provides a comprehensive perspective that continues to shape her approach to supporting schools and developing educational leaders.

Throughout her career, Ms. Ramon has been committed to building collaborative partnerships, strengthening organizational systems, and supporting schools in achieving measurable academic growth. She believes lasting success is achieved through shared accountability, strategic decision-making, and empowering educators to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.

Ms. Ramon graduated cum laude from The University of Texas–Pan American with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies and a minor in Bilingual/Bicultural Studies. She earned a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from the University of Phoenix.

Graciana "Graci" Garces, Chief Strategy & External Affairs Officer  
graciana.garces@tejanocenter.org

 

Graciana “Graci” Garces is a visionary strategist, trusted public affairs leader, and accomplished executive with more than two decades of experience advancing community impact across Texas. Her work spans government and nonprofit sectors, where she has consistently driven large-scale initiatives through strategic partnerships, policy influence, and resource alignment.

As Chief Strategy & External Affairs Officer at Tejano Center, Garces leads strategic planning, resource development, marketing and communications, and external affairs. She guides organizational growth, strengthens cross-sector partnerships, and secures the funding and infrastructure needed to scale integrated education, housing, health, and social service programs. Her leadership is grounded in human-centered design, data-driven strategy, and a commitment to long-term sustainability and impact.

Garces is widely recognized for her ability to align diverse stakeholders and translate vision into results. At BakerRipley, she secured more than $360 million in public funding in a single year, advised executive leadership on government relations and advocacy strategy, and built high-impact partnership pipelines to expand organizational reach. She also led civic engagement efforts that tripled voter participation among low-propensity communities and developed leadership programs that empowered hundreds of residents to advocate for change.

Earlier in her career, Garces served as Chief of Staff for Houston City Council District I and as a legislative aide in the Texas House of Representatives, where she led policy initiatives and built deep expertise in legislative strategy and constituent engagement. She also played a key role in advancing public health policy, including the expansion of Houston’s smoking ban through bipartisan coalition-building and statewide grassroots mobilization.

A former Houston City Council candidate, Garces brings a deeply personal commitment to civic engagement and community empowerment. She holds a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Texas State University.

Above all, she is a proud Latina, a product of South Texas, and a devoted mother to Zyenna and Zekiel—who inspire her continued commitment to building stronger, more equitable communities for generations to come.

 

 

Juan Santos, Chief Operations Officer
juan.santos@tejanocenter.org

 

Juan J. Santos brings his expertise from Houston ISD, where he strategically staffed 12 schools, ensuring high compliance with employment laws and updating HR policies and procedures.

Juan's journey in education began as a Teacher Aide, progressing to a bilingual teacher before advancing into leadership roles. As Principal at Garcia Leza EC/PreK Center in Aldine ISD, he was honored with the H-E-B Excellence in Education Early Childhood Award for his innovative leadership.

A strong advocate for professional growth and education, Juan has also served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Houston, mentoring and supervising future educators while holding the position of Director of Human Talent at Tomball ISD. In his previous roles as Director of Talent Acquisition at Spring ISD and Director of Human Talent at Tomball ISD, Juan led the development and implementation of district-wide HR policies and built strategic relationships with educational leaders. His leadership in employee retention strategies significantly reduced turnover and fostered a positive organizational culture.

 

 

Marcia Leiva, Chief Financial Officer
marcia.leiva@tejanocenter.org

Marcia Leiva serves as the Chief Financial Officer for Tejano Center and RYSS Texas Public Schools. With more than 14 years of experience in accounting, auditing, and financial leadership, she brings extensive expertise in both the public and private sectors.

Prior to joining Tejano Center, Marcia served as Chief Accounting Officer at the Harris County Department of Education for five years and previously worked as a Head Start Accountant with the organization for three years. Earlier in her career, she spent six years as a Senior Financial Auditor, working with private and public companies as well as organizations in the oil and gas industry in Portugal and Angola. Marcia holds a bachelor's degree in Financial Auditing from Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa and a master's degree in Financial Auditing from ISCAC Coimbra Business School. She has also completed CPA coursework at Lone Star College in Houston.

Her diverse international and local experience will play a key role in strengthening the financial operations and long-term sustainability of Tejano Center and RYSS Texas Public Schools.