Company: AvantGarde, LLC Round Rock TX
Company Description: AvantGarde is a Premier Human Capital consulting firm providing integrated and innovative workforce and people solutions for our clients' evolving needs through deep expertise, strong relationships, and the commitment and care of our employees.
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Female Entrepreneur – Business Services –11 to 2,500 Employees
 Nomination Title: Rebecca Contreras, President & CEO
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes, explaining the achievements since July 1, 2020 of the nominated woman, OR written answers to the questions? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video. If you are submitting written answers to the questions for this category, provide them in the spaces below:
- Briefly describe the nominated individual: history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 198 words used.
As the CEO, co-founder, and majority owner of AvantGarde, LLC, Rebecca has grown her HR consulting firm to over 110 employees spread across seven states in the past 11 years. Prior to working in the consulting business, Rebecca spent 15 years working in government, four of which were served in President George W. Bush’s administration. Rebecca was first a Commissioned Officer, managing the personnel appointments process for over 1,200 positions. The president then appointed her as a senior executive to lead corporate HR in the role of Deputy Assistant Secretary & Chief of Human Capital for the U.S. Department of Treasury.
Before DC, Rebecca started her career working as a civil servant for nearly 12 years in Texas Government, including serving as the Director of HR for Governor Bush. Prior to joining the Governor’s Office, she served six years at the State Treasury under two iconic Texas women, Ann Richards and then Kay Bailey Hutchison.
Rebecca is also a founder of her nonprofit Launchpad, which offers underprivileged youth educational and mentoring programs. Last year She released her book Lost Girl, recounting her unlikely path from troubled youth in a Texas border town to a millionaire entrepreneur.
- Outline the nominee's achievements since July 1 2020 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 250 words used.
Since July 2020, Rebecca has achieved professional success not only by growing AvantGarde significantly, but by building a strong company culture. The results of a companywide engagement survey indicated that her “People First” approach spurred 96.7% of employees to give positive feedback regarding the company’s culture, leadership, work-life balance, and benefits. Employees and clients alike have referred to her guiding leadership principle - to “lead with love” - as a value they see demonstrated, and a driving factor for 80%+ of new business to come from existing clients.
Meanwhile Rebecca has continued to invest in her local community through her nonprofit LaunchPad. Rebecca sees this as an opportunity to “pay it forward”; she is grateful for the chance she was given to transform herself as a young adult and wants to empower promising but underserved students in the community to do the same. This year she launched a new scholarship initiative called “Girls of Legacy” and funded the first $25,000 while matching additional contributions and mentoring this year’s eleven scholarship recipients.
Rebecca’s book, Lost Girl, was released in October 2021, receiving personal praise from her former boss President Bush. The book describes her inspiring journey from a childhood steeped in hardship to her success as an entrepreneur - and the mentors, friends, and family that supported her along the way. Rebecca is most proud of her relentless focus on keeping her family strong. Her top priority has remained her roles as mother, grandmother, and wife of 32 years.
- Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the nominee's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 249 words used.
Rebecca’s achievements exemplify her passion for the “people business” as well as passion for giving back. Her company’s continued growth is a testament to her ability to lead during a turbulent era for the sector. She has ensured that the company is equipped to adapt and even thrive during challenging economic times.
Parallel to this professional success, Rebecca continues to give back through her nonprofit LaunchPad, staying active as a philanthropist and launching the Girls of Legacy scholarship initiative in recognition of the potential she saw in program participants. To ensure continued support of the scholarship fund beyond her initial $25k contribution, she hosted a fundraising event to celebrate the recipients and publicize her offer to match community donations to the scholarship. Soon after, a local news outlet named Rebecca as “Texas’ Remarkable Woman of 2022”, distinguishing her among thousands of entries in Texas.
Rebecca’s achievements are even more significant when they are set against backdrop of the obstacles she overcame. Born to a single mother battling drug addiction, she lived in abusive and poverty-stricken homes for most of her childhood years. As a teenager she battled drug addiction herself, then became a high school dropout and teenage mother. Well poised to become a sad statistic of the Latino community, she instead resolved to transform her life and forged a career path that led her to founding a flourishing company advising some of the largest federal agencies, all while remaining steadfast in her commitment to her family and community.
- Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 247 words used.
https://www.rebeccacontreras.com/ Rebecca’s personal site gives an overview of Rebecca’s incredible journey to professional success, demonstrates her commitment to empowering women, and notes many of her awards and accolades.
https://www.rebeccacontreras.com/girlsoflegacy The Girls of Legacy site details the initiative that Rebecca spearheaded and the inspiration behind it.
https://www.rebeccacontreras.com/inthemedia This links to numerous articles written about Rebecca as a business leader, philanthropist, and author.
https://www.launchpadthecenter.org/ Rebecca’s nonprofit Launchpad is detailed here, including its mission and history. Rebecca is currently mentoring three women, all single moms who are working hard in their own personal transformation journey. Despite her busy schedule, Rebecca always gives of her time, treasure, and talent to pay it forward.
https://www.kxan.com/news/local/how-can-we-not-pay-it-forward-remarkable-woman-winner-rebecca-contreras-reflects-on-community-service/?ipid=promo-link-block1 KXAN announces Rebecca as Texas’ Remarkable Woman of 2022, coinciding with the launch of her Girls of Legacy scholarship and mentoring program.
https://www.avantgarde4usa.com/news/categories/awards This section of the AvantGarde website links to articles celebrating the recognitions and awards that Rebecca’s company has received, and that she has received professionally in her role as CEO.
https://youtu.be/Yj923w0bu6I In this video, Rebecca introduces AvantGarde’s culture and value system that she has been instrumental in shaping.
These are interviews with two of AvantGarde’s senior project managers, who have worked closely with Rebecca for a number of years. They discuss her leadership principles, her drive for excellence, and her commitment to building a strong company culture.
https://youtu.be/RGfv9L0LcjU
https://youtu.be/ffhFAUoOi98
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