Lisa Cortez Walden, PH.D. is a writer/producer and arts administrator. She started her career as an actress with the bilingual theatre company, El Teatro de la Esperanza out of San Francisco. Returning home to San Antonio, she pursued arts administration, working with organizations like The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, Gemini Ink, and Inspire Cultural Arts Center. In addition, Dr. Cortez Walden has a long list of independent productions and writings for youth. Her production credits include: A Slight Discomfort: Echoes from the Clinic (videopoem-winner, Cinefestival), Detained in the Desert, by Josefina Lopez (World Premiere play); Dos Pocitos, by Raúl Garza (play); and many others. Her writing credits include: Miguelito y Sú Mamá and Mario and the Monarchs. In 2022, she was selected to participate in the national cohort of Theatre Producers of Color. She holds a Ph.D. in Culture, Literacy, and Language and is currently working on a second Master's Degree to become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Art Therapy.