Posted on October 23, 2026 by Wendy Frost
April Ancira, MBA ’03 sees helping others as her purpose in life. It isn’t a philosophy that she pursued, but one that has manifested throughout her life.
April Ancira
“As a child I was sensitive and wore my heart on my sleeve,” said Ancira, the vice president of Ancira Auto Group. “My parents thought I’d be a social worker. So, how did I end up in this dog-eat-dog car business?”
Working in her family’s auto dealership since she was 16, Ancira took on a new role as a salesperson the summer after graduating from Trinity University. Successfully selling multiple cars her first week, she had an epiphany.
“This is my calling,” she said. “I’m going to change the way people feel about buying vehicles. It should be a great day, but too many people are unhappy or fearful of the process.”
At the same time, Ancira chose to continue her education and pursue a MBA at UT San Antonio to increase her educational capital.
“My experience at UTSA back then was dramatically different than what the university offers now,” said Ancira. “Classes were only offered at night, and most of my classmates were adults who had full-time jobs. It was rare to see somebody like me who jumped straight in after their undergraduate degree.”
Learning from her classmates work experiences and focusing on the application of business theory was eye opening for her. One of Ancira’s favorite classes was a leadership course taught by Mark Phillips. She enjoyed his artistic approach to dealing with human interactions as opposed to the concrete numbers and solutions that you typically see in accounting and finance classes.
“I had a phenomenal experience when it came to the people I met, and what I got from the classes and the professors,” said Ancira, who is a member of the college’s Dean’s Advisory Council.
Realizing her love of the car industry, Ancira began exploring different ways she could contribute to the dealership. After graduating from UT San Antonio, she attended the National Automobile Dealers Association Dealer Academy.
“My trajectory has been incredibly organic,” said Ancira, who met her husband, Jason, at the academy. “I was extremely flexible in my journey. I wanted to be in a position that best utilized my talents.”
Gravitating to the macro side of the business, she quickly excelled in building relationships within the community and marketing the business.
“All of a sudden, nonprofits were knocking on my door,” she said. “And for the first time I was asked to serve on various boards — the first being the Boys and Girls Club.”
From there, Ancira began participating in fundraising efforts. Her first assignment was with the Salvation Army. They were hosting a holiday Parade of Kettles fundraiser. Ancira was eager to lend her support, and her competitive spirit pushed her to raise several thousand dollars for the effort.
After that experience she began choosing an initiative each year to support. And over the years, the dollars that she raised kept increasing. Nonprofits she has assisted have included the Brighton Center, the Heart Association, San Antonio Sports, the Tobin Center for Performing Arts and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). In 2022 she was the fourth largest executive fundraiser for LLS, raising over $350,000.
“The competitive part became addictive,” she shared. “But I do this to give people hope and a pathway forward when they are in need.”
Ancira applies this full-circle philosophy of helping people in need to everything she does including her work with Ancira Auto Group.
“We’re getting people so much more than just a vehicle,” she said. “This vehicle is an appendage to their life — where memories are made. That’s my why for what we do.”
Ancira shared that through her business she is also able to hire employees and contribute to their livelihood. And, the money they earn allows Ancira to open more stores and help even more people. The remaining funds are used to support charitable giving.
“I actually feel a sense of inadequacy when I can’t get something somebody needs,” she shared. “My goal is to expand the company to a level where I’m able to make transformational gifts.”
UT San Antonio has also been a benefactor of Ancira’s generosity. She has served on the Alumni Association board, as a spokesperson for the university’s first Giving Day and has sponsored numerous events.
But, she credits head football coach Jeff Traylor with elevating her support. Ancira is a UTSA Athletics sponsor, and she champions their NIL efforts through 210 Inspired. She is also the co-chair and founder of the UTSA Helmets and Heels fundraiser that exposes women to the game of football.
Through the support of Ancira Auto Group, the Ancira Athletic Ticket Center was established in the Roadrunner Athletics Center of Excellence. And, they’ve pledged to support the new volleyball/basketball training facility.
“I think a defining moment for me though, was when Jeff Traylor called me a booster,” she shared. “Now I think of myself as running around and ‘boosting’ programs at the university in a variety of ways.”
Ancira credits UT San Antonio with training the talent that will impact this community and beyond, and she looks forward to more ways she can continue her support.
“To be in a position where you can contribute is a really good feeling,” shared Ancira. “If people feel I can be of use to them, then that is where I want to be. I don’t know if you can ask for anything better to do with your time in life beyond that.”
— Wendy Frost
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