Meet the Voices of LFTSS
Meet the writers, creatives, and community voices helping Live From The Southside share San Antonio’s people, places, knowledge, and experiences.
There is no single way to experience San Antonio, and there should not be only one voice telling its stories. Our contributors bring expertise in food, travel, wellness, education, business, leadership, arts and culture, entertainment, nonprofit development, marketing, the outdoors and community life.
Each contributor brings a unique perspective shaped by their professional knowledge, personal experiences and community connections. Together, they help our readers learn, connect and discover something new.
Roland Pastrano | The Southsider
San Antonio native Roland Pastrano founded The Southsider brand in 2019 to celebrate the culture, resilience and pride of the community that raised him. A first-generation college graduate and retired federal government employee, Roland uses the brand to encourage community pride and educational opportunities, including the Southsider First Star: The Alamo Scholarship.
Photo credit: Jennifer Lindberg Studio/@jenniferlindbergphotography.
Yadira Lozano | Luminaria
With more than 25 years of experience in arts administration and advocacy, Yadira Lozano specializes in public relations, event planning, community engagement, grant administration and fundraising. As executive director of Luminaria, she connects LFTSS readers with local artists, performers, cultural events and the people shaping San Antonio’s creative community.
Chelsea Braun | Concert Photographer
Chelsea Braun is a San Antonio-born-and-raised concert photographer with eight years of experience capturing the energy and emotion of live music. Combining her love of photography, music and storytelling, Chelsea documents powerful onstage moments and the connection between artists and their fans. Her work brings readers closer to San Antonio’s live music and entertainment scene.
Alyse Zagada | The Blooming Social
Alyse Zagada of The Blooming Social brings expertise in social media strategy, brand awareness, and creative marketing to LFTSS. Focused on creating original ideas instead of simply following trends, Alyse helps brands develop strategies that attract audiences, support growth and build lasting connections.
Dr. Arlene Siller | Ascend Nonprofit & Business Solutions
Dr. Arlene Siller is the founder and CEO of Ascend Nonprofit & Business Solutions®, specializing in grant lifecycle management, organizational capacity building and strategic funding development. With more than 30 years of experience, she provides practical insight into funding, leadership, organizational growth and long-term sustainability.
Kristy Ward | Menopause Mijas
Kristy Ward is a certified menopause health coach and founder of Menopause Mijas. Born and raised in Corpus Christi and now calling San Antonio home, she creates accessible education and honest, culturally connected conversations about menopause. Her work encourages women to prioritize their well-being while caring for the people they love.
Victoria C. Shipley | Transforming Legacies Consulting
Victoria C. Shipley, MSODL, is an organizational strategist, higher education executive and founder of Transforming Legacies Consulting. Through LFTSS, she offers a straightforward perspective on leadership, professional development, organizational effectiveness and creating a meaningful legacy.
The Pink Berets
The Pink Berets advocate for active-duty women, veterans and first responders, with a focus on those affected by invisible injuries. Their contributions connect readers with resources, education and important conversations supporting military families, veterans and first responders.
Fin Addict Angler Foundation
Fin Addict Angler Foundation brings fishing, outdoor education and environmental stewardship to LFTSS. Through fishing clinics and angler education, the nonprofit helps families reconnect with the outdoors while promoting respect for water, wildlife and natural resources.
Jamie Gonzalez | The Produce Lady
Jamie Gonzalez, known as “The Produce Lady,” is a San Antonio chef, food educator and community food systems advocate with more than 20 years of experience in the produce industry. Jamie shares seasonal produce knowledge, healthy eating tips, accessible recipes and resources that help families make fresh food part of everyday life.
Rosie Salazar | Cultura y Salud Nutrition
Rosie Salazar is a certified nutrition mentor, author, entrepreneur and founder of Cultura y Salud Nutrition LLC. After 30 years in the medical field, she now helps families embrace healthier lifestyles without giving up the cultural foods they love. Rosie shares practical information about nutrition, cultura, family and wellness.
Jamaal “Coach Trell” Cottrell | Silent No More
Jamaal “Coach Trell” Cottrell created Silent No More, a platform that encourages honest conversations about men’s mental health, relationships, stress, identity and vulnerability. His contributions challenge the belief that strength requires silence and encourage men to speak openly about their emotional well-being.
Sasha Cervantes | Body By Sasha
Sasha Cervantes owns Body By Sasha Mobile Gym & Fitness, the first Latina-owned mobile gym in the San Antonio area. Through personal, corporate and group training, Sasha makes fitness more approachable while sharing guidance on strength, nutrition, muscle development and healthier habits.
Jacqueline Hernandez | Revelation Counseling Services
Jacqueline Hernandez, MA, LPC-S, is a bilingual licensed professional counselor-supervisor and founder of Revelation Counseling Services on San Antonio’s Westside. She provides practical mental health education through a compassionate, culturally responsive and faith-informed perspective.
Sayda Mitchell-Morales
From the South Bronx to the South Side of San Antonio, Sayda Mitchell-Morales is a public education advocate, communications strategist and former educator. As communications director for Futuro San Antonio, she helps shape conversations about public education quality and equity. Her contributions explore education, families, community and civic engagement.
Dr. Gabriella Ibarra Noriega
Raised on San Antonio’s West and South Sides after moving from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, Dr. Gabriella Ibarra Noriega is a workforce development leader, consultant, educator and motivational speaker. A first-generation college and doctoral graduate, she shares insight about education, workforce opportunities and helping people recognize their potential.
Lisa Coleman | Soy Latina
San Antonio native Lisa Coleman founded Soy Latina, an organization providing mentorship, resources and opportunities for young Latinas and their families. Through LFTSS, Lisa shares perspectives on youth, leadership, community and creating opportunities for future generations. Her guiding advice is to move with intention.
Rolando Morales | Emerging Writer
Rolando Morales is a communications major with a minor in marketing at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. A 2021 Harlandale High School graduate, he earned his Associate of Arts from Palo Alto College in 2024. Rolando hopes to pursue a career in reporting and storytelling, using his voice to inform, engage and connect communities.
Adeina Anderson | Travel Writer and Author
Adeina Anderson is a San Antonio-based multimedia travel writer, travel expert, on-camera personality and co-author of 100 Things to Do in San Antonio Before You Die. Having explored 49 of the 50 U.S. states, she shares dining experiences, destinations and flavors worth discovering.
Lisa Peek | Life in Bandera, TX
Lisa Peek created Life in Bandera, TX, where she shares restaurants, businesses, community events, outdoor adventures and hidden gems from the Cowboy Capital of the World. Her contributions offer inspiration for nearby road trips while encouraging readers to explore and support Texas communities.
Nathan Salazar | Photographer and Filmmaker
Nathan Salazar is a San Antonio-based photographer, filmmaker and co-owner of BXR Films. Through his work for LFTSS, he documents the people, culture, sports and community events that make San Antonio unique. Nathan creates honest, engaging visuals that tell meaningful stories and preserve memorable experiences.
Christina Ditchkofsky | Wellness and Empowerment Writer
Christina Ditchkofsky, PMHNP-S, combines her nursing and leadership experience with a passion for expressive writing to support women navigating emotional abuse, coercive control and past trauma. Her writing explores healing, resilience, self-discovery and the power of words to help women move forward.
Linda Medina | Creating Quantum Solutions
Linda Medina, founder of Creating Quantum Solutions, turned her financial struggles into a mission to help others build financial confidence. She shares practical guidance on credit, debt, taxes, entrepreneurship and generational wealth, giving readers information and tools to make informed financial decisions.
Each contributor brings their own expertise, experiences and perspective to LFTSS. They do not need to tell the same stories. They need to tell the stories they know.
Live From The Southside connects communities to opportunities, resources and experiences. San Antonio is not simply somewhere we cover. It is home.
Our City. Our Stories. Our Voices.