Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
PHARR, Texas — Four Rio Grande Valley professionals have been confirmed as panelists for the 2026 Leadership Day Conference, adding business, education, legal and communications experience to an event designed to develop stronger leaders across the region.
The conference, hosted by ZERA Coaching and powered by the City of Pharr, will be held Friday, Oct. 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pharr ONE, 1121 E. Nolana Loop.
The first four confirmed panelists are Dr. Marcos Silva, TEDxMcAllen curator; Dr. Annabelle Palomo, CEO and school president of RGV College; Milly Chirino, founder and CEO of Millys Franchise and MChirino Group LLC; and Iliana Villalobos, attorney at law with Villalobos Law Firm.
Four additional panelists are expected to be announced as the conference approaches, bringing the total to eight.
Their participation advances the central purpose behind Leadership Day: giving people at different stages of their careers an opportunity to learn from individuals who have developed leadership experience in the Rio Grande Valley.
ZERA Coaching, founded by Hervin Antonio Hidalgo, helps individuals, teams, and organizations strengthen their leadership capacity. Its programs address areas including communication, problem-solving, accountability, teamwork and professional growth.
Leadership Day extends that work into a regional conference where college students, entrepreneurs, professionals, educators and community members can interact with established leaders and one another.
That approach matters to the Rio Grande Valley because leadership development isn’t limited to people already holding executive positions. Preparing emerging leaders can strengthen businesses and organizations while giving young professionals and students opportunities to develop skills they can carry into the workplace and their communities.
The conference will include speakers, leadership panels, interactive activities, and networking opportunities. Rather than focusing solely on leadership theory, the program is designed to expose participants to practical experiences and perspectives from people working and leading in the region.
The four confirmed panelists illustrate that range.
Silva brings experience connected to TEDxMcAllen; Palomo represents education and institutional leadership; Chirino brings an entrepreneurial and business perspective; and Villalobos adds experience from the legal profession.
Bringing those different backgrounds into the same conversation gives participants a chance to see that leadership can take many forms and develop across industries and professions.
Leadership Day also represents another step in ZERA Coaching’s continuing effort to expand leadership development opportunities in South Texas. Hidalgo has previously emphasized preparing emerging leaders with communication, teamwork, leadership mindset, and influence skills that complement their professional or academic preparation.
Registration for the Oct. 30 Leadership Day Conference is available through ZERA Coaching at www.hellozera.com.
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Marie Salazar Garcia at 956-533-0090.
Hidalgo said, “We will announce the remaining four panelists after their participation is confirmed.”
