Investing in the next generation is one of the most important investments we can make. Rebecca Contreras and Girls of Legacy were proud to support Shine Your Light Christian Youth Leadership Camp as a sponsor, helping invest in a program dedicated to developing confident, purpose-driven young leaders. Founded by Evelina Solis and her daughter Hope, the camp provides mentorship, leadership development, faith-based programming, and meaningful opportunities for students to grow

Childhood trauma can become our blueprint for relationships, leadership, and life. Rebecca Contreras shares how healing, self-awareness, and resilience can break generational cycles and create a different future.

This year marks a major milestone for Girls of Legacy as we celebrate our first group of students earning their college degrees. These young women joined Girls of Legacy as high school students with big dreams and a determination to build brighter futures. Through years of mentorship, leadership development, coaching, and unwavering support, they have grown into confident, purpose-driven leaders ready for their next chapter. Today, we proudly celebrate Lily, Alaiysha, and Ran

There are many conversations about leadership that focus on titles, influence, and professional impact, but some of the most important leadership work happens quietly, inside the home. It is formed in the day-to-day rhythms, in the way values are lived out consistently, and in the environments we create for the people closest to us. For me, motherhood was never separate from leadership—it was one of the most important expressions of it. As I reflect on raising my children,

Rebecca was honored to serve as a keynote speaker at the 2026 Young Enterprising Women National Leadership Conference, a gathering dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young women across the country. The Young Enterprising Women program is a national initiative that organizes mentoring events across the United States, each designed to empower high school girls with a passion for STEM—science, technology, engineering, and math. These events connect ambitious young

AvantGarde LLC gathered its leadership team in Washington, D.C. last month for its Spring Managers Meeting, bringing together Project Managers and senior leaders from across the firm. The meeting, led by President & CEO Rebecca Contreras, served as a key moment to align on the company’s 2026–2027 Pivot Plan—focusing on strategic execution, collaboration, and positioning the organization for continued growth and impact. A CEO’s Vision for Intentional Growth At the center of th

There are parts of our story we never get to choose—where we’re born, who raises us, and the circumstances we inherit before we ever have a voice. Some people begin life surrounded by stability and opportunity. Others are born into environments defined by uncertainty, hardship, and dysfunction. I was born into the latter. From the very beginning, I had several strikes against me that were completely outside of my control. I was born to a mother struggling with addiction a

This Women’s History Month, I wanted to do something more intentional. In past years, I’ve highlighted the stories of women across industries—leaders I’ve admired and respected. This year, I chose to focus on something more personal by spotlighting three women I know—women whose impact is not only reflected in their success, but in the lives they’ve touched and the doors they’ve opened for others. Each of these women is building, leading, and creating opportunity not just for

Rebecca led a session at the ISSA Clean Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., where she facilitated an Emerging Leaders Workshop focused on “Leading in Unprecedented Times.” The summit brought together small business owners and industry leaders from across the country to engage in conversations around policy, workforce development, and the future of the cleaning and facility solutions industry, which supports millions of workers across the U.S. economy. During her session, R

The Girls of Legacy Annual Spring Luncheon and Coaching Development Session brought together our students for an impactful, hands-on learning experience centered on one of the most critical life skills: communication. Led by Cherie B. Mathews, the session focused on both verbal and non-verbal communication and how these skills directly influence opportunities, relationships, and long-term career success. Rather than a traditional lecture, the experience was intentionally desi

Rebecca Contreras was selected as an Honorary Leadership Award Recipient for the She Leads Texas Gala, an event that recognizes women across Texas who lead with purpose and create lasting impact through their work and service. Rebecca was nominated for her leadership, integrity, and the influence she has had on others through her professional and community efforts. Her work as President and CEO of AvantGarde, LLC, along with her commitment to mentorship and initiatives such a

Rebecca spoke at the F.I.R.E – Business Leaders Conference in Belton, Texas, a gathering that brought together entrepreneurs, real estate professionals, and nonprofit leaders for a day focused on purpose-driven leadership and business growth. Hosted by a network of faith-centered business leaders, the conference created space for meaningful dialogue around leadership, impact, and aligning professional work with deeper purpose. During the event, Rebecca delivered a keynote cen

At our core, I believe every young person deserves access to opportunity, guidance, and a safe space to grow—regardless of where they start. I’ve seen firsthand how unclear the path forward can be when resources are limited and support is missing. Too often, potential goes untapped simply because no one stepped in. That’s why we built LaunchPad – The Center. As Co-Founder, my commitment is to create a place where youth and young adults are not just supported, but truly seen,

This Women’s History Month, we will see the quotes, the spotlights, and the polished headlines celebrating progress. And we should celebrate. Women have built companies, led movements, reshaped industries, and carried and nurtured our families while doing it. But history is not built on applause. It is built on experience — on wins, losses, perseverance, and yes, scars. If we are honest, too often we have reduced mentorship to something soft and ceremonial. A calendar invite.

Rebecca recently joined the Trustedpreneur Podcast with hosts Madeline and David Ricci , a dynamic entrepreneurial duo known for building and scaling businesses with intention and impact. In this conversation, Rebecca shares insights from her journey—from deep poverty to the White House and now leading a thriving multimillion-dollar company—offering perspective on how those experiences shaped her approach to resilience, accountability, and people-first leadership. Together, t

Principal and Assistant Principal of North East High School in Austin meet with Maria Hernandez (long standing community partner of LaunchPad) and Rebecca Contreras and Crystaline Lopez to discuss YEW Mentoring Forum event in October 2026. We are excited to officially announce the launch of the first-ever Young Enterprising Women Mentoring Forum in Austin , coming this October in partnership with Young Enterprising Women, LaunchPad, and Northeast Early College High School . R

We are living in a season where relational division feels louder than unity or connection, and uncertainty touches nearly every part of our lives—from our work, to our families and homes, to our communities. In moments like these, keeping our focus on cultivating relationships is not just important; it is essential in order to thrive in life. Strong relationships don’t happen by accident or happenstance. They are built intentionally, especially when things feel unstable. Whet

Rebecca Contreras participated in the 2026 Texas Rally for Life, hosted by the Texas Alliance for Life at the Texas State Capitol in Austin. The annual event brings together thousands of advocates, leaders, and community members to champion the value of life and engage in meaningful dialogue around policy, purpose, and personal responsibility. As part of the speaker lineup, Rebecca shared her personal story and perspective on choosing life, offering a message rooted in resili

As we step into a new year, it’s natural to pause and reflect—on what we’ve walked through, what we’ve learned, and what we’re carrying forward. A new calendar year often invites optimism, fresh goals, and renewed energy. But the truth is, January doesn’t erase what the previous year held. Growth, setbacks, victories, and loss all come with us. One universal truth remains: no one is exempt from loss . It is not a matter of if we will experience it, but when —and often it sho

Rebecca gathered the Girls of Legacy students and mentor team for a holiday lunch at Maggiano’s at The Domain in Austin, Texas, celebrating a season of gratitude, connection, and shared impact from 2025. The time together honored the power of mentorship, leadership, and the meaningful relationships that continue to shape lives and communities. While not every student and mentor was able to attend due to travel and scheduling, the gathering provided a meaningful opportunity fo

Engage in the powerful antidote when crisis or chaos hits Every year around this time, I find myself drawn back to a familiar rhythm — pausing, reflecting, and writing about gratitude. These Thanksgiving messages have become part of my personal daily practice, because gratitude is something God continues to refine in me year after year. In past seasons, I’ve talked about gratitude as a choice, discipline, and a posture that shapes our hearts whether we’re standing on the moun

Government contractors still feeling effects of shutdown despite it ending Full Audio Interview and Article: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/3893790/government-contractors-still-feeling-effects-government-shutdown-despite-ending/ The longest government shutdown in U.S. history has ended after 43 days , and while many received back pay and moved on , for others, the effects are still being felt. Due to the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019 , federal e

LATINA Style Business Series — Entrepreneur of the Year, Austin Rebecca Contreras received the Entrepreneur of the Year – Austin award at the 2025 LATINA Style Business Series , a nationally recognized business development program for minority entrepreneurs. Rebecca was honored for her work as President and CEO of AvantGarde, LLC , the government services firm she founded and scaled through entrepreneurial leadership, innovation, and sustained growth. The LATINA Style Busine

Rebecca joined the Austin Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) as the featured speaker for their November Luncheon, delivering a timely message on Leading in Unprecedented Times: Embrace Change, Dream, Plan & Execute. The room brought together dynamic women entrepreneurs from across Central Texas, creating a powerful space for connection, learning, and real conversation about leading through complexity. Drawing from her decades of experience