Rebecca Contreras on Fox News: Leading with Love Through the Government Shutdown
- Chris Lopez
- 2 days ago
- 1 min read
When the federal government shut down, more than one million federal contract workers across the country suddenly lost their income. For many, it wasn’t just a political impasse — it was a personal financial emergency.
Rebecca Contreras, President and CEO of AvantGarde LLC, saw nearly half of her workforce affected overnight. With projects halted and invoices frozen, she knew waiting wasn’t an option. “In moments like this, leadership isn’t about profit margins or press releases — it’s about showing up for your people,” Contreras shared during her recent Fox News Atlanta interview.
Rather than stand idle, she and her partner took action, creating a zero-interest bridge-loan program to help AvantGarde employees stay financially stable through the shutdown. Funded directly by the company, this initiative allows team members to access short-term, interest-free support, repaid later through payroll once federal operations resume.
“The human cost behind the headlines is real,” Contreras emphasized. “Contract workers and small businesses are the backbone of America’s workforce — and they don’t get back pay when the government reopens.”
A former White House appointee and Treasury executive, Contreras’s message goes beyond her company. She’s calling for empathy and responsibility in leadership — a reminder that true leaders act even when they can’t control the system.
“At AvantGarde, we believe that true leadership means caring for people first — always.”
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