Yvette Cárdenas Padilla serves the University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA) as the Director of Stewardship and Annual Giving in the division of University Advancement. This position deals with all aspects of stewardship and annual giving.  The director coordinates and oversees events related to the stewardship function. The main function is to acknowledge and thank donors and sponsors. In the area of Annual Giving, the director coordinates gift opportunities that will augment the University’s vision to become a premier learned-centered research institute.  

Prior to this role, Mrs. Cárdenas Padilla served as a liaison between all UTPA College Deans, the Director of Athletics and the development staff by assisting all Academic Colleges and athletic departments to maximize existing development and fundraising efforts together with the External Affairs development staff.  Previously she supported the Director of Career Services as Acting Assistant Director for Career Services. She was responsible for the administration and supervision of the Career Services, Cooperative Education, Student Employment Service as well as other related programs by cultivating relationships with corporations which provide career opportunities to the UTPA students.

Additionally, Mrs. Cárdenas Padilla has been successful in managing the UTPA Foundation- Valley Outreach which is a part of the UTPA Foundation.  She was instrumental in the development of the strategic plan to increase the Foundation’s visibility throughout the community. Because of these ongoing efforts, the UTPA Foundation-Valley Outreach has been successful in enhancing the knowledge about the University to Valley community leaders and in raising scholarship funds for the university’s programs and its students. 

Mrs. Cárdenas Padilla has not only contributed to public service in the academic field. Her work in public services started with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the late eighties. As a Project Manager, she managed over 75 elderly complexes units and 100 family units which helped provide shelter to low-income families throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

Yvette Cárdenas Padilla has served and contributed to the University of Texas Pan American since 1992 and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from UTPA. She is involved in other professional organizations including:  MANA de Hidalgo County, Organization of Women Executives (OWE), and UTPA Senate Staff. Mrs. Cárdenas Padilla also serves on numerous committees including: UTPA Marketing Advisory Committee, UTPA Presidents Investiture, City of Edinburg Night of Lights and the Pan Am Classic Golf Tournament.