SHE IS and SHE IS YOU are two Rio Grande Valley-based organizations dedicated to empowering women in the construction and real estate industries through leadership, mentorship, and education.
SHE IS was created in 2023 with the purpose of building a professional network where women can connect, collaborate, and grow in industries traditionally led by men. Through networking events, educational workshops, and mentorship programs, SHE IS helps women gain visibility, strengthen their leadership, and access new business opportunities.
In 2024, we expanded our mission through SHE IS YOU, our nonprofit organization focused on providing scholarships, continuing education, and community partnerships with institutions such as South Texas College (STC) and UTRGV. Our goal is to open doors for women pursuing careers and businesses in construction, design, and real estate development.
This year, we were honored at the state level by the LUNA Awards, receiving the Rising Star A/E/C Firm of the Year award — a recognition that highlights our growing impact and the work we continue to do to uplift and represent women in the industry. We are deeply grateful and excited for this achievement, as it reflects the dedication and leadership that define our organization.
Among all our initiatives, SHE IS University stands as our most significant and anticipated event of the year. It is a full-day educational and empowerment experience designed to provide mentorship, training, and networking opportunities for women in construction and real estate. Through SHE IS University, we bridge industry leaders with aspiring professionals to inspire growth, confidence, and collaboration.
Our Mission:
To empower, educate, and connect women in construction and real estate through mentorship, leadership, and community collaboration.
Our Vision:
To build a strong network of women who lead with confidence and create lasting impact across their communities.
Since our founding, SHE IS has become a leading voice for women in the industry, hosting impactful events such as Women of Impact: Transforming Communities, and forming strategic alliances that continue to shape the future of women-led growth in South Texas.
We are honored to share our story with the readers of the Rio Grande Guardian and RGG Business Journal in order to highlight how women across the Rio Grande Valley are transforming the construction and real estate landscape through education, leadership, and community.
Editor's Note: The above commentary was provided by Priscilla Torrero and Marie Salazar Garcia, co-founders of SHE IS and SHE IS YOU.
The four panelists at She Is RGV's Women of Impact brunch received certificates. They were: Rose Benavidez, Maribel B. Guerrero, Ellie Torres, and Kelly Zamorano Alaniz. (Photo: Adrian Alfaro/RGG)
Videojournalist Adrian Alfaro writes:
MCALLEN, Texas - She Is held a Women of Impact: Transforming Communities brunch at the Cambria Hotel in McAllen on Oct. 28, 2025. The focus was women working in construction and real estate.
The moderator was Sarah Hammond, a business leader in the construction industry who serves as an ambassador for She Is RGV. The four panelists were Rose Benavidez, president of Starr County Industrial Foundation, Maribel B. Guerrero, director of engineering and public works for the City of Brownsville, Hidalgo County Commissioner Ellie Torres, and Willacy County Commissioner Kelly Zamorano Alaniz.
“It was a morning of inspiration, leadership and meaningful community impact,” said Marie Salazar Garcia, co-founder of She Is.
Here is a video recording of the panel discussion:
