Rebecca Contreras served as Master of Ceremonies for the Hispanic 100 Foundation's A Night of Distinction Gala, where AvantGarde proudly served as a sponsor. The evening celebrated outstanding Latino leaders while raising more than $300,000 in scholarships and mentorship opportunities for the next generation.

Rebecca Contreras recently joined community leaders, advocates, and elected officials at Girl Scouts of Central Texas in Austin to support a new online safety initiative launched through Not on Our Watch TX, an initiative of Texas Women in Business in partnership with Girl Scouts of Central Texas and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. The initiative aims to equip young girls with practical tools to safely navigate today's digital world. Through a new online

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

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 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

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

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

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

I was honored to be named one of the winners of the 2025 Entrepreneurial Women of Impact Awards , hosted by the Women Presidents Organization (WPO) and Women Elevating Women (W.E.W.) . Sharing the stage with some of the most driven and impactful women entrepreneurs across North America was both inspiring and energizing. The room was filled with leaders who are building, advancing, and elevating their communities—exactly the kind of company I’m proud to keep. This recognition

Rebecca delivered the keynote address at the inaugural 2025 Central Texas Local Government Hispanic Network Conference, held at the Embassy Suites San Marcos Conference Center. Bringing together 250+ leaders across local government, non-profit, and civic sectors, the event centered on the theme “Cultura & Strategy: LEAD with Intention,” emphasizing cultural awareness, intentional leadership, and strategic decision-making. Rebecca’s keynote set the tone for the day—challengin

AvantGarde LLC gathered its leadership team in Washington, D.C., on September 18 for the company’s Annual Fall Management Meeting, a signature event that brought together Project Managers and Senior Project Managers from across the firm. The meeting, led by President & CEO Rebecca Contreras, marked the close of Fiscal Year 2025with a focus on reflection, collaboration, and strategic visioning — and set the stage for an ambitious year ahead.

AvantGarde LLC (AG) was proud to take center stage at the 2025 GovHR Conference, hosted by the Partnership for Public Service in Washington, D.C. The premier gathering brought together more than 370 leaders from over 75 government agencies to tackle today’s most pressing workforce challenges, share innovative strategies, and shape the future of public service.

Rebecca was honored to support the 2025 Pardners for Life Banquet benefiting Agape Women's Clinic, an organization dedicated to serving women, men, and families through education, resources, and compassionate care. As someone who experienced significant hardship as a young woman, Rebecca often reflects on how different her own journey may have been had organizations like Agape existed during some of the most difficult seasons of her life. Growing up amid instability, poverty,

Rebecca was proud to support Mariachi Rock Revolution through LaunchPad The Center, an event celebrating Hispanic heritage, music, and opportunities for young people. Mariachi Rock Revolution is an annual event benefiting Austin Soundwaves and its Mariachi Para Todos program, which provides music education, mentorship, and performance opportunities for students throughout Central Texas. The program helps young people develop confidence, leadership skills, cultural pride, and

"From Lost Girl to Legacy Builder: Poverty, the White House, and VEO’s Main Stage" Rebecca Contreras did not come to VEO with a tidy origin story. She came with the kind of journey that makes a room go quiet. Contreras is the president and CEO of AvantGarde (AG), the women-owned human capital, IT, and strategy consulting firm she co-founded in 2011 and scaled across multiple states. Before joining AG, she spent 15 years in public service, from Austin to Washington, culminatin

Rebecca was honored to serve as a featured panelist at Together We Rise: Women United for T.R.U.T.H. , an inspiring gathering designed to elevate the voices and leadership of women across business, media, government, and community sectors. During the event, Rebecca shared her journey from welfare to the West Wing and offered powerful insights on resilience, reinvention, and leading with purpose. Her message encouraged attendees to rise above adversity, embrace their influence

Girls of Legacy Recap 2025! What a night Girls of Legacy 2025 Fundraiser Recap On July 17th, the annual Girls of Legacy fundraising...