Melinda Hildebrand
American businesswoman
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Melinda “Mindy” Hildebrand is an American diplomat and businesswoman who has served as the United States Ambassador to Costa Rica since 2026. She is the president of the Hildebrand Foundation and vice president of Hilcorp Ventures, Inc. Hildebrand was nominated by President Donald Trump in 2025 and confirmed by the United States Senate on October 7, 2025. She presented her credentials on January 8, 2026.[2][3][4][5]
Melinda Hildebrand | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2026 | |
| 44th United States Ambassador to Costa Rica | |
| Assumed office January 8, 2026[1] | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Preceding | Cynthia A. Telles |
| Personal details | |
| Born | United States |
| Spouse | Jeffery Hildebrand |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of Texas at Austin (BBA) |
| Occupation | Businesswoman • diplomat |
Diplomatic nomination
On September 3, 2025, Hildebrand appeared before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee as President Trump's nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica.[6] Her nomination is pending full Senate confirmation.[7][8]
Affiliations
Hildebrand has served on a wide range of boards, committees, and nonprofit organizations, both locally and nationally, including:[9][10]
- MD Anderson Cancer Center – President's Executive Council, Board of Visitors
- University of Texas at Austin – Development Board, McCombs Advisory Council, Executive Committee for the What Starts Here campaign
- University of St. Thomas (Houston) – Advisory Board
- Museum of Fine Arts, Houston – Bayou Bend and European Arts Subcommittees
- Episcopal High School (Bellaire, Texas) – Executive Committee and Endowment Committee
- James Beard Foundation (New York City) – Board Member
She has also been active with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Committee for more than three decades, and is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Houston.[9]
Personal life
Hildebrand is married to Jeffery Hildebrand,[11] with whom she has three children.[5]