Keynote Bios

Kathy Rodriguez, Assoc. AIA, Deputy Historic Preservation Officer, Office of Historic Preservation, City of San Antonio

Thursday, October 15, 10:30am - 11:30am

Registration:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kathy-rodriguez-keynote-presentation-tickets-124411410879

Kathy Rodriguez is the Deputy Historic Preservation Officer for the City of San Antonio responsible for the Vacant Building, Living Heritage and Heritage Education Programs. Since joining OHP in June 2013, she has managed several programs including design review, code enforcement, and the City’s comprehensive survey and designation initiative. Focused on assisting communities through change, Kathy Rodriguez has 14 years of public administration experience leading design review, historic preservation, and other programs focused on neighborhood revitalization. She has led a variety of community engagement programs and seeks innovative methods aimed to reaching diverse audiences and to build public participation. Her work reflects her knowledge of architecture, professional experience in heritage preservation and her calling to be a public servant. She previously worked for the City of Castroville as the Community Development Director and the first Historic Preservation Officer where she oversaw development review, code enforcement, historic preservation and the parks and recreation departments. Additionally, Kathy led the community engagement efforts and adoption of the City of Castroville’s Master plan. Kathy is currently a member of the Preservation Texas Board of Directors where she chairs the Advocacy Committee. She is the Vice-President for the New Frontiers Public Schools Board of Trustees and she also serves as the chair for the Philanthropic Committee. Kathy has served on the City of San Antonio’s Historic and Design Review Commission, the Building & Fire Code Board of Appeals, and the Building Standards Board. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Texas at San Antonio and has completed graduate studies in Historic Preservation and Public Administration.

Leslie Canaan, Senior Field Officer, National Trust for Historic Preservation

Saturday, October 17, 10:00am - 10:30am

Registration:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/leslie-caanan-keynote-and-preservation-and-progress-session-4-tickets-124273036999

As a Senior Field Officer for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Leslie Canaan is primarily responsible for taking direct action to save important historic places. Leslie has more than 18 years of professional experience in the historic preservation field focusing on preservation education, providing technical assistance for locally designated historic districts, community engagement and building partnerships. Leslie earned her bachelor’s degree in History from Clark Atlanta University and her master’s in Heritage Preservation from Georgia State University.