Cristina Bazaldua

VIA Metropolitan Transit

Manager of Governmental Relations

Providing transit service to our community is highly influenced by the partnerships VIA Metropolitan Transit has with governmental entities.  Whether it is funding from the federal government or neighborhood meetings with local council members these governmental activities influence the transportation options VIA delivers to the San Antonio region. As such building and maintaining collaborative working relationships with governmental officials is a critical importance to our agency.  

Cristina Bazaldúa has joined VIA Metropolitan Transit Government Affairs team as the Manager of Governmental Relations.  She will strengthen governmental relationships and guide VIA through the complex issues that may arise with our various governmental partners.  

Cristina comes with extensive experience in community engagement, public relations, public and government affairs.  Recently she helped the City of San Antonio pass the “Taking Care of SA” City Bond Campaign. The $1.2 billion bond program was passed on May 7, 2022, allowing the City to make major investments in basic infrastructures, such as streets, sidewalks, drainage, bridge improvements, upgrades to existing public safety, cultural facilities, parks, and for the first-time affordable housing. Cristina’s professional experience includes serving as the Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Empowerment Director with Univision Communications, Government Affairs & Leadership Director for the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Director of Public and Government Relations for Workforce Solutions Alamo.

 Cristina has been actively serving the San Antonio community for over 20 years. She’s been highly involved in several nonprofit organizations including Urban Soccer League Academy (USLA), the Thomas Aguillon Rey Feo LXXII Court, San Antonio Parks Foundation, The San Antonio / Bexar County Complete Count Committee-Census 2020, has co-chaired Leadership San Antonio (LSA) Class 45 (through the pandemic), she was part of LSA Steering Committee 44, and a graduate of LSA Class 40. She served four terms for the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women, has been part of the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center board, the San Antonio for Growth on the Eastside (SAGE), and The Women & Girls Development Fund (WGDF), among others. She champions civic engagement and women empowerment initiatives, and her passion is fueled by improving access to higher education for minorities and underserved communities. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with a minor in Sociology from Our Lady of the Lake University and a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from UTSA.