Friday, November 13
Brunch and Keynote Speakers
Looking Ahead: Policy Trends for Texas Cities
Texas cities are navigating a rapidly evolving political, economic, and legislative landscape. In this closing general session, TML President Andrea Barefield will moderate a thought-provoking conversation with presidential historian and foreign policy expert Dr. Jeremi Suri and Former San Antonio Mayor, Ron Nirenberg. Together, they will explore the forces reshaping public policy, governance, and community leadership at every level. Attendees will gain valuable perspective on emerging trends, potential challenges, and opportunities that may influence Texas cities in the years ahead, along with practical insights to help local leaders prepare for what’s next.
About the Speakers
Andrea Jackson Barefield
Andrea J. Barefield was elected to serve on the Waco City Council representing District 1 in 2018 and is currently serving her fifth term. She has twice been selected by her peers to serve as Mayor Pro Tem, in 2019 and again in 2025. Improving her community’s access to economic, educational, and housing opportunities continues to be the driving force behind her public service.
Andrea currently serves as President of the Texas Municipal League (TML), representing over 1,100 cities, towns and villages of all sizes across the state and helping strengthen regional collaboration and local leadership. She also serves on numerous boards and commissions, including the Texas Association of Black City Council Members (President), National League of Cities Board of Directors and 2026 Executive Committee, NLC REAL—Race, Equity and Leadership Council (Member), NLC University and College Council (Board Liaison), Prosper Waco Board (Chair), NAACP (Vice President), and the proud Alum of the Texas Lyceum.
In addition to her elected service, Andrea launched and serves as Principal of Barefield Impact Strategies, a strategic partnership and community engagement consulting firm focused on helping organizations and municipalities build equitable and sustainable impact.
Andrea is a proud member of the Waco Central Texas Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and the Waco Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. A graduate of Sam Houston State University, Andrea met her husband, Elijah, during their time there, and together they have been happily married for 24 years. They are the proud parents of two sons, Drew and Jaxon.
Jeremi Suri
Jeremi Suri holds the Mack Brown Distinguished Chair for Leadership in Global Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin. He is a professor in the University’s Department of History and the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Jeremi is the author and editor of eleven books on contemporary politics and foreign policy, most recently Civil War By Other Means: America’s Long and Unfinished Fight for Democracy. His other books include The Impossible Presidency: The Rise and Fall of America’s Highest Office; Henry Kissinger and the American Century; Liberty’s Surest Guardian: American Nation-Building from the Founders to Obama; and Foreign Policy Breakthroughs: Cases in Successful Diplomacy (with Robert Hutchings).
Jeremi writes for major newspapers and magazines including the New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, New York Daily News, Dallas Morning News, Houston Chronicle, Boston Globe, The Atlantic, Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, Fortune, The American Prospect and Wired — as well as for various online sites and blogs. He is a popular public lecturer and appears frequently on radio and television.
Jeremi teaches courses on strategy and decision-making, leadership, globalization, international relations and modern history. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses, and teaches and serves as academic director for the Executive Master in Public Leadership program (EMPL) at LBJ. His research and teaching have received numerous prizes. In 2007 Smithsonian magazine named him one of America’s “Top Young Innovators” in the arts and sciences. In 2018, he received the Pro Bene Meritis Award for Contributions to the Liberal Arts. In the same year, he also received the President’s Associates Teaching Excellence Award from the University of Texas at Austin.
Ron Nirenberg
Ron Nirenberg is the Calgaard Distinguished Professor of Practice at Trinity University and former Mayor of San Antonio. During his time at City Hall, he dedicated himself to building a stronger, more prosperous, and more equitable community.
He earned a reputation for bringing people together and getting results, especially when faced with complex challenges—expanding Pre-K 4 SA, developing our first mass transit lines, doubling the size of our airport, delivering the nation’s largest local workforce program along with a nationally modeled housing plan, and leading our community through the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to being the Democratic nominee for Bexar County Judge, Ron has just released his first book, Nirenberg: The Education of a Texas Public Servant.