Power Brokers: Getting Things Done in the Midst of Challenges
About our speaker:
Rebecca Contreras is currently the President & CEO of AvantGarde LLC (AG), a women owned small business firm she co- founded as Majority Partner in May 2011. AG offers a “one stop shop” approach to addressing complex organizational, people and technology needs. Rebecca has dedicated her entire career to the people business, serving in executive leadership roles driving large scale people and organizational change initiatives. AG has grown to over 100 employees and over 15 million in revenue in 2019. Prior to moving onto consulting, Rebecca spent 15 years in State and Federal government prior to starting her career in consulting. While in government, Rebecca served as an executive and chief advisory to the Secretary in the role of Deputy Assistant Secretary and Chief Human Capital Officer at the U.S. Department of Treasury. She also served as a Member on the government wide Chief Human Capital Officer’s Council advising Congress and the President on Workforce issues. Prior to that she served as a Commissioned Officer in the White House as Special Assistant for Personnel to President George W. Bush. Her portfolio included managing the President’s appointments and executive recruiting process for over 1,200 board and commission positions in the Federal Government. In Texas state government, she served as the Director of Human Resources for the Governor for six years.
In December 2019, Rebecca was recognized by WPO and selected to the “Women 2 Watch for 2020”. In 2017 & 2018, SBA recognized AG for National Small Business Week with a San Antonio District Award in the Category of “Women Small Business of the Year” and the UTSA sponsored award for “Federal Contractor Minority Business of the Year”. Also, in 2017, Mrs. Contreras received the Texas “Women Profiles in Power” award by the Austin Business Journal. Governor Greg Abbott in conjunction with the 2017 Texas Small Business Summit, also honored Ms. Contreras with the Texas “Latina Entrepreneurial Excellence Award”.
Rebecca currently serves under The Partnership as a Strategic Advisor to Executives in Government – SAGE and is a Member of the Women President’s Organization (WPO) *Austin Chapter. Rebecca also served on the Council of the National Business Women’s Council in 2018 that advises the President and Congress on women business issues – during her time at NBWC she served as the Chair of the Access to Capital Sub Committee. She also served on the Board of the American Bible Society in NYC for nine years and was Chair of the Governance Committee. Rebecca also served a three-year Presidential term on the Board of WestPoint Military Academy.
We are currently meeting via Zoom, if we continue, please note the following:
Our Zoom Meeting fees to cover our admin costs during this time are $5 for members and $10 for visitors.
When you register, you will be emailed the Zoom login info (which is different for each meeting) and can use your computer, tablet or phone to access.
You are able to call in without video, but the best way to use Zoom, is to have your camera on and show your face. It will give you the greatest sense of connection and you'll have the best experience with it this way.
Agenda:
- Breakout rooms for networking in small groups
- Introductions & Announcements
- Speaker
- Q&A
- Have a wonderful Wednesday!
