Storyteller. Tejana. Collector of all hobbies.

A proud Tejana and lifelong San Antonian, Tessa Benavides-Cooper is a communications and public affairs professional who blends strategy with empathy to connect organizations with the communities they serve. Her deep South Texas roots shape how she works — grounded in familia, community, and cultural pride — as she leads storytelling and engagement that build trust and elevate voices too often left out of the conversation. She holds a Master of Public Administration from The University of Texas at San Antonio and a bachelor’s degree from Our Lady of the Lake University. She and her husband are proudly raising the next generation of Tejanos here in San Antonio. In any spare moments of free time, you’ll likely find her happily chasing her newest hobby.