AMA Member Profile: Ruben Quiroz, CEO and Co-Founder, Valkiria Marketing

By Sam Boykin

For Ruben Quiroz, marketing has always been about more than promoting a product or service. At its best, he believes marketing creates connections between people, businesses, cultures and ideas.

That philosophy has guided Quiroz throughout a career that spans graphic design, higher education marketing, entrepreneurship and international business development. Today, he serves as CEO and co-founder of Valkiria Marketing, a full-service digital marketing agency with offices in San Antonio and Guadalajara, Mexico.

He is also an active member of the American Marketing Association (AMA) San Antonio chapter and serves on the board of the Asociación de Empresarios Mexicanos (AEM) San Antonio, where he helps strengthen business relationships between Mexico and South Texas.

Originally from Guadalajara, Quiroz moved to San Antonio in 2009 after receiving an opportunity that would shape the next chapter of his career. His cousin, Susan Leaño, serves as vice president of international affairs with The International Educational Program at the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara (UAG) School of Medicine, a four-year program designed to prepare international students—primarily from the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico—for residency and practice in the United States. She called Quiroz and offered him a job in the Alamo City with the UAG.

That move launched what has become a 16-year career with UAG as design director. Quiroz oversees a wide range of responsibilities, leading digital marketing efforts, managing websites and social media channels, developing content and promotional campaigns, and coordinating major events such as student orientations and graduation ceremonies.

Marketing was a natural fit for Quiroz, whose academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and a master’s degree in art direction. For much of his professional life, he worked as a graphic designer, helping organizations communicate visually and effectively.

But over time, he became increasingly interested in the broader strategic side of marketing. Looking to expand his career, he and Leaño co-founded Valkiria Marketing in 2021. The agency has since grown into a full-service operation offering branding, web development, video production, graphic design, social media management, content creation and search engine optimization services. Its client roster includes businesses in industries ranging from real estate and luxury home décor to consumer products.

Launching the agency required both founders to expand their expertise beyond design and communications. They pursued additional coursework and professional development opportunities to stay current with the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Today, both are continuing their education through a second master’s degree focused on digital marketing.

“We know we have to keep updating our knowledge,” Quiroz said. “Marketing changes all the time.”

While Valkiria operates on both sides of the border, Quiroz primarily oversees the San Antonio office while Leaño manages operations in Guadalajara. Together, they have built a company that reflects their bicultural perspective and commitment to serving clients in both markets.

That same international outlook has shaped Quiroz’s volunteer leadership. Through his work with AEM San Antonio, he helps organize business delegations and commercial missions that connect organizations and professionals across borders. Most recently, he played a central role in coordinating a delegation trip to Guadalajara that included members of AMA San Antonio.

Quiroz organized the agenda, speakers, marketing materials and logistics for the visit, creating opportunities for attendees to engage with business leaders and learn more about the region’s economic and marketing landscape.

The experience also deepened his involvement with AMA San Antonio, an organization he and Leaño first began following several years ago before becoming more active participants.

As Quiroz looks ahead, he sees tremendous potential for marketing professionals to broaden their networks and build stronger relationships with the business community through AMA. “It provides a great opportunity to connect with different industries and spend time with marketers, PR professionals, designers and photographers. Building those connections helps everyone grow.”