Harlingen Women in Business

HARLINGEN, TEXAS (March 16, 2021) – Here in Harlingen, we have outstanding businesswomen, and we want to take the time to recognize them, their stories, accomplishments, and learn from them.

We will be featuring four Harlingen Women in Business over the next couple of weeks. These women work hard to make our community a better place by offering their time and volunteering in the community, offering their expertise in business, medicine, dental health, and nutrition & sustainability. 

Dr. Linda T. Burke

Linda T. Burke, DDS was born and raised in Harlingen. Dr. Burke practices pediatric dentistry and opened her pediatric dentistry office in 2002 here in Harlingen, Burke Children’s Dentistry.

She has served on various boards including the Ronald McDonald House Charities, Harlingen Chamber of Commerce, Valley Baptist Medical Center, and also the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation board. She recently received the Governor’s appointment to serve on the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners.

Mrs. Magdalena Salinas, APRN, FNP-C, RNFA

Mrs. Salinas is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and owner of Next Level Medical Clinic, located here in Harlingen. She focuses on preventative and holistic care with personalized treatment in the management of acute and chronic illnesses. She has been in practice for five years and before becoming a nurse practitioner, she was a nurse for more than 25 years specializing in OR, ER, and critical care nursing.

Magdalena earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas in Brownsville and her master’s degree at Maryville University in St. Louis, MA. Her practice includes primary practice with a special interest in preventative medicine. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and Sigma Theta Tau nursing honors society. 

She gained her NP experience in Orthopedics & Primary Care before opening her own practice in 2019. Since then, she has enjoyed the many benefits of running a family practice, which includes helping patients take a proactive role in reaching their healthiest version of themselves. Mrs. Salinas remains committed to increasing affordable and competent healthcare access to all patients.

When not working, Magdalena enjoys spending time with her husband Freddy of 31 years and their three children, David, Claudia, and Andrea. Favorite pastimes include cycling, fellowshipping, and traveling.

Angela Burton, District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration, Harlingen

Angela R. Burton was born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas.  In 1985, Angela came to South Texas as a Spring Breaker and never went back.

For ten years she worked full-time and attended college part-time.  Her dedication and strive for an education paid off as she earned an Associate’s Degree in International Trade and Transportation from Texas Southmost College and a Bachelors of Applied Arts and Science Degree in Business Technology from the University of Texas at Brownsville in 1997.  (She graduated Magna Cum Laude.)  Angela is also a graduate from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organizational Management at the University of Notre Dame as well as the Texas Certified Public Managers Course at UTB/TSC’s Institute for Public Service.

In June, after almost 9 years of service, Angela announced she would step down as President/CEO of the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce to assume a new role as the Deputy District Director of the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office.  She was the first woman President in the organization’s 76 year history.

Burton’s exposure to the Chamber world began in 1992 shortly after returning from her tour of duty in the Middle East during Desert Storm when she began working for The University of Texas Pan American’s, Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as a small business counselor (The SBDC is an SBA resource partner).  The SBDC was afforded office space by the Chamber so she became well acquainted with the Chamber staff and the Chamber’s activities. Eventually, the Chamber hired her for an entry level position in communication and in 2004 the board of directors offered Angela the President/CEO position.

During her term as president she promoted a strong local economy, created and provided opportunities for relationship building, delivered programs to help businesses develop, and was a relentless advocate for the community.

In 2005, Angela was recognized by Women’s Enterprise magazine as one of Texas’ top women leaders in Chambers of Commerce and in 2006 Toastmasters International recognized her with a communication and leadership award.

In December 2007, Angela graduated from Leadership, Texas. She was one of 100 women in the entire state of Texas chosen to participate in the class. In May 2009, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recognized Angela as the Veteran Small Business Champion of the year and in 2011 she was again recognized by the U.S. SBA with the Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery.

Angela retired from the U.S. Army Reserves with more than 21 years of service in 2004. Her service included a Tour of Duty in Southwest Asia during Operation Desert Shield/ Desert Storm with the 145th MEDSOM where she finalized the unit’s mission by leading a “rear detachment” of troops home to the U.S.  She also served in Central America as well as many areas in the United States. Her final assignment included training troops in preparation for deployment to Iraq. In November 2003, because of her excellence in training and leadership the 4th Training Brigade awarded Angela “Instructor of the Year 2003”. (The 4th Brigade covers a nine-state region.) 

Angela’s reputation as a tough and selfless leader and her pronounced engagement skills are known far and wide.  She currently serves as President of Veteran Females United and as a committee member for Senator Cornyn’s Military Service Academy Selection Committee.  Past service includes; board member for Brownsville Crime Stoppers, Brownsville Economic Development Council, Brownsville’s Environmental Advisory Committee, Texas Southmost College Strategic Planning Committee, Valley AIDS Council, Workforce Solutions Cameron and President of the UTB School of Business Advisory Board just to name a few.

Diana Padilla, Yahweh All Natural Farm & Garden

Diana Padilla owns Yahweh All Natural Farm & Garden with her husband Saul Padilla. The farm opened in 2008 and despite challenges, the farm continues to grow.

Yahweh All Natural Farm and Garden is a USDA Certified Organic produce farm located off of Rangerville Road in Harlingen. The farm serves the entire Rio Grande Valley and has various pick-up locations in Harlingen, Brownsville, McAllen, and Weslaco.

The unique farm has made things work and the duo has adjusted over the course of the pandemic by being more proactive with their marketing, Diana said.

The farm also offers an online store that features a Community Supported Agriculture membership that allows members to select from different levels of produce boxes. Diana added that they plan to increase online sales and box memberships.

“If your heart is in what you’re doing, you will find a way to keep doing what you’re doing,” she said simply.

“I have watched other business owners and I saw them hustle and figure out how to keep their business running.”

See what Diana has to say about being a Harlingen Woman in Business: