ANNOUNCING 2026 “THE LILA” AWARD HONOREE FOR CIVIC LEADERSHIP-SECRETARY HOPE ANDRADE

WIFT TEXAS ANNOUNCES SECRETARY HOPE ANDRADE AS ITS 2026 “THE LILA” AWARD HONOREE

Secretary Hope Andrade, President and CEO of the Alamo Trust, will be Honored at The Celestial Awards™ Show “The Lila” Award for Excellence in Civic Leadership & Philanthropy, Named in Honor of Mayor Lila Cockrell on January 17th at The World-Class Tobin Center in Downtown San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO, December 15, 2025 – Today, Women in Film & Television Texas (WIFT Texas) is honored to announce Secretary Hope Andrade, a prolific business leader, civic visionary, former Texas Secretary of State, and President & CEO of the Alamo Trust as the 2026 recipient of “The Lila” Award for Excellence in Civic Leadership & Philanthropy, named in tribute to former San Antonio Mayor Lila Cockrell, the first woman mayor of a major U.S. city and one of Texas’ most influential public leaders.

The Celestial Awards™ honor trailblazing women of achievement in the media and entertainment industry, recognizing excellence across all verticals. The awards show will take place on Saturday, January 17th, 2026, at The Tobin Center’s world-class H-E-B Performance Hall in downtown San Antonio, following the Texas Media+Entertainment Summit™ on January 15th and 16th at the Gunter Hotel. Actress and producer Renae Treviño will host the high-profile, entertainment-filled awards show.

“I am honored to accept ‘The Lila’ Award for Excellence in Civic Leadership. Lila Cockrell was a true trailblazer: the first woman mayor of San Antonio and the first woman to be elected mayor of a major Texas city. She was born only two years after women gained the right to vote in the United States. Lila’s path helped pave the way for me to become our state’s first Latina Secretary of State, overseeing elections throughout Texas. Like Lila, I wake up every single day focused on how I can best serve my community. As I now lead The Alamo through a new chapter of its 300-year history, I know Lila is proud of how our beloved Alamo City continues to preserve its past while building a better future for us all,” said Secretary Hope Andrade, President and CEO, Alamo Trust, Inc.

Esperanza “Hope” Andrade has shaped Texas public policy and community development for more than three decades. As the first Latina Secretary of State in Texas history, her leadership helped modernize and expand access to the state’s election systems. She has also served as a Texas Workforce Commissioner and Texas Department of Transportation Commissioner, becoming one of the most accomplished and widely respected Latina leaders in the country.

As a trailblazer in Texas public life and a successful entrepreneur, Secretary Andrade has founded and stewarded multiple businesses across healthcare, transportation, hospitality, and workforce development. Her unique blend of civic expertise and business acumen has positioned her as an influential voice in statewide economic strategy.

“Lila Cockrell was my guiding star growing up in San Antonio — and the guiding star for so many women who progressed through life seeing what steady, principled civic leadership could look like. Her example shaped my belief in public service as an act of care, stewardship, and responsibility to one’s community. Secretary Hope Andrade reflects those same qualities. As Texas Secretary of State, she exemplified integrity and commitment in a role that demands clarity, fairness, and vision. Honoring her with ‘The Lila’ award is a celebration of women who lead with purpose, strengthen the institutions that serve us all, and continue a lineage of service that elevates Texas for generations,”said Ceslie Armstrong, WIFT Texas CEO & Executive Producer of the Texas Media+Entertainment Summit™ and The Celestial Awards™.

Today, as President and CEO of the Alamo Trust, Secretary Hope Andrade is stewarding a Texas icon by overseeing the daily operations of the Shrine of Texas Liberty and leads the implementation of the historic $550 million Alamo Plan — one of the most significant cultural, historical, and civic projects in the United States. Her work ensures that the Alamo’s 300-year legacy is preserved, interpreted, and made accessible for future generations.

Hope Andrade’s civic leadership includes service as Hope has served as Tri Chair of Connect SA, on the Executive Committee Member of the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation, Chair of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Vice Chairman of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, Board Member of Free Trade Alliance, Board Member of the San Antonio Symphony, and Trustee of Our Lady of the Lake University. She currently serves as Chair of Via Transit Authority, Chair of the Alamo Management Committee, Board Member of Alamo Trust, Inc., Board Member of Texas State Aquarium, Board Member of Great Springs Project, Member of LBJ Women’s Campaign School Advisory Board and Board Member of the Texas Hispanics Policy Foundation.

“One of my favorite parts of being involved with WIFT Texas is the opportunity to spotlight women who have paved the way for all of us in media and entertainment. Secretary Hope Andrade is the definition of a leading lady. Her civic and business leadership spans hospitality and entertainment through GO RIO and the Alamo Trust, and extends into economic and workforce development as Texas Workforce Commissioner and our state’s first Latina Secretary of State. Add to that her countless roles on nonprofit boards, and you see the breadth of her impact. Hope is a force for progress, just like the namesake of the award she is receiving. Nominating her for ‘The Lila’ award has been a highlight of my time on the WIFT Texas Council of Commissioners. There is something powerful about women, generation after generation, lifting one another and honoring the past, present, and future of our industry. What a gift to help co-produce a show that simply says, ‘Thank you for all you’ve done for the rest of us!’,”said Ashley Landers, Commissioner & Producer, The Celestial Awards™.

Hope Andrade has been the recipient of numerous personal and community awards such as the Texas Department of Transportation’s Road Hand Award, the San Antonio Business Journal’s Leadership Legacy Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the San Antonian Award from the Northside Chamber of Commerce, Trefoil Award from the Girls Scouts of Southwest Texas, Small Business Advocate from the U.S. Small Business Administration, 2017 Junior Achievement San Antonio Business Hall of Fame Laureate, and SAMCO Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Hope Andrade’s leadership has touched every corner of Texas life — civic infrastructure, business innovation, economic development, and opportunities that empower generations of leaders to follow. Her career reflects a rare blend of integrity, stewardship, and vision, and her commitment to community sets a benchmark for all of us working to advance women in our industry. ‘The Lila’ award recognizes her extraordinary contributions and the lasting impact she continues to make across our state,” said Eileen Kret, VP of Women in Film & Television Texas, Executive Producer of the Texas Media+Entertainment Summit™ and The Celestial Awards™.