Rebecca Acuña

Rebecca Acuña is the Director of Government Affairs at PepsiCo Inc. where she represents the global portfolio of food and beverage brands before public policy makers and opinion leaders in seven states. Prior to joining PepsiCo Inc., she was the Executive Director of the Latino Center for Leadership Development, a national leadership organization that creates a pipeline of policy-makers and thought-leaders. Rebecca has also served in leadership roles in political campaigns and federal and state government in Washington, D.C. and Texas. She has served as a Chief of Staff and Communications Director for three members of the Texas House of Representatives and one member of Congress. She was the first-ever Latina tapped as statewide Press Secretary for a major-party gubernatorial campaign in Texas as well as the first Latina to serve as Communications Director for a major political party in Texas. Rebecca serves on the Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters of Greater Dallas, a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. She also serves on the Board of the Dallas Workforce Solutions, IGNITE Texas, and the Childcare Group, where she provides guidance on enacting policy to improve the safety of childcare centers. Born in Mexico and raised in Laredo, Texas, Rebecca is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. As Executive Director, of Latino CLD Acuña oversaw the implementation of the organization’s programs and services. Prior to working at the Latino CLD, Rebecca served as Chief of Staff for State Representative Cesar Blanco, where she managed the Representative’s legislative agenda, communications plan, and outreach efforts. Rebecca also held positions as Press Secretary for the Wendy R. Davis Campaign, Communications Director for Congressman Pete Gallego, Communications Director and Deputy Political Director for Base Outreach for the Texas Democratic Party, and Policy Analyst for State Representative Garnet Coleman.