Contreras, Rebecca

Rebecca Contreras is President & CEO of AvantGarde LLC, a minority- and woman-owned consulting firm she co-founded in May 2011. Contreras holds majority ownership of the firm and has been instrumental in driving the substantial business growth of AG, now over 100 consulting team members strong. AG’s core capabilities are in HR, Strategy, Organizational Development and Business Operations. AG’s primary location is in Texas with offices in the DC area. Contreras also recently authored a book LostGirl “From the Hood to the White House to Millionaire Entrepreneur”. She has been recently featured by numerous media outlet’s to learn more about LostGirl visit www.rebeccacontreras.com.

Contreras and her company have recently been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including the “Silver American Business Award for Minority Business of the year for 2021- or Stevie Award,” “Women in Enterprise” (Women’s Enterprise, 2020), “Women 2 Watch” (Women Presidents’ Organization, 2020); the SBA San Antonio TX District 2019: Minority Contractor of the Year and Women Owned Business of the Year: Texas “Women Profiles in Power” (Austin Business Journal, 2017), and the “Latina Entrepreneurial Excellence Award” (2017). Contreras was also recently nominated in September for Austin’s Best CEO award by the Austin Business Journal for 2021.

Contreras has dedicated her entire career to the people business, serving in executive leadership roles driving large-scale people and organizational change initiatives. Prior to moving into consulting, Contreras spent twelve years serving under the leadership of Texas Governor, and then President, George W Bush. For the Governor, Contreras ran Personnel (HR) in Texas and for the President she moved to Washington, DC, upon his first term election to serve in the White House as a Commissioned Officer managing the process for over 1,200 personnel appointments to top boards and commissions in the federal government. Contreras started her government career serving in HR under the leadership of two iconic Texas Women, Ann Richards and Kay Bailey Hutchison. Contreras has also served as a Presidential Appointee on the Board of West Point Military Academy.

Contreras lives in the Austin, Texas area with David, her husband of 31 years. Ten years ago, they co-founded, LaunchPad (launchpadthecenter.org), an Austin-based non-profit dedicated to equipping and enriching the lives of disadvantaged youth and underserved families through targeted programs and services. Connect with Rebecca @rebeccaanncontreras and linkedin.com/in/rebecca-contreras-98059013