Our Team
Aquila Mendez-Valdez
Owner & CEO
Aquila is the Founder and CEO of Haute in Texas, which has grown from scratch into an award-winning PR and Marketing agency. She’s been asked to speak and present to audiences across the US, Europe and Asia, and has been featured in Forbes, The Telegraph UK, Digiday, and PR on the Go, in addition to numerous TV appearances, publications, and podcasts. Her blog collaborations and client roster feature some of the world’s biggest brands, including Vogue, Prada, Lincoln, Neiman Marcus, Kendra Scott, Orangetheory, and many, many more. She graduated with honors playing Division I volleyball at Western Kentucky University and obtained her Master’s from Gonzaga University. She serves on various boards for a wide variety of non-profits, and in 2022 launched Haute in Network Agencies, a franchise model to help other women own their own agencies. In 2023 she was named a San Antonio Biz Journal 40 Under 40 honoree. In 2025 she was named the NAWBO National Woman Business Owner of the Year, and a member of the Leadership Texas cohort for the top business leaders across the state. Aquila and her college sweetheart, Orlando, have two girls and currently reside in San Antonio, Texas.
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Our team is made up of goal-getters and communication connoisseurs all about the pursuit of the haute life. We are passionate about helping our clients be better, every day.
Want a dedicated team curating and propelling your online and in person presence?
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Lauren Lopez
Account Manager
Lauren brings over a decade of marketing expertise to her role as Account Manager at Haute in Texas. With experience spanning from the fast-paced world of quick-service restaurants to the meaningful missions of nonprofits, she’s spent the last four years honing her focus on community-driven marketing. A California native who spent time in Oregon and Austin, she now calls San Antonio home, and loves connecting local brands with the communities they serve.
Creative, outgoing, and driven, Lauren is passionate about thinking outside the box and helping clients bring bold ideas to life. With a background in digital strategy, social media, and grassroots outreach, she enjoys finding fresh ways to support each client’s unique goals. She was especially drawn to HIT PR’s strong female leadership and its focus on purpose-driven work.
Outside of work, Lauren can usually be found enjoying the Texas sunshine with a good book, volunteering with children in her neighborhood, or spoiling her two fur-babies.
Eva Aivaliotis
Account Manager
Eva brings media relations, community relations and PR strategy experience to Haute in Texas. Her previous agency experience focused on the food & beverage sector, including serving as a key member of the account management team for one of America’s top QSRs. Her client-side background focused on the Travel & Tourism industry, including experiential media tours, curated promotional events, content creation and storytelling through media outreach strategy, both in the U.S. and Canada. She has been named a Destinations International 30 Under 30 and has won awards from the Public Relations Society of America. Eva loves a great craft chocolate bar! She’s a certified chocolate taster by the International Institute of Chocolate & Cacao Tasting.
Emily Lee
Account Coordinator
Emily Lee is a graduate of Texas State University, where she earned her degree in Public Relations. Passionate about continuously learning and growing within the industry, Emily loves exploring every side of PR, from social media and media relations to graphic design and creative strategy. She is driven by the desire to become the best communicator and creative professional she can be, always looking for new ways to strengthen her skill set in an industry that is constantly evolving.
Outside of work, Emily loves doing things that fill her cup, including spending time with family and friends and loving on her two fur babies, Pepper and Ginger. Known by her friends for her outgoing personality and sense of humor, she enjoys making people laugh, staying active, and creating memorable moments with the people she loves most.
Caden Lane
Account Assistant
Caden is a Haute in Texas Fall 2026 intern and a Junior at the University of Texas at San Antonio, studying Communications. She is passionate about writing, storytelling, and using creativity strategically to connect with others and build community through marketing. She is excited to gain hands-on experience in the industry and continue growing her skills!
Outside of work, Caden enjoys making coffee, exploring nature, and spending time with her family and pets. She also loves discovering local events and markets around San Antonio and supporting small businesses in her community.