Sandra Rivera

Communications Branch Manager and Hispanic Employment Program Council Chair, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Sandra Rivera is a diversity leader with 23+ years of experience in developing and managing various organizational programs from the development and implementation of business solutions to program strategies. She has industry experience with the Big 4 international professional services firms, federal government, military, and not-for-profit organizations.

Sandra works for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, DC since January 2005, where she has held a variety of positions in different program offices. Currently she is the Communications Branch Manager for Office of Mission Support’s Office of Engagement & Program Management, Communications Branch. Sandra leads the team responsible for developing and implementing the OMS communications to external and internal stakeholders. From sharing information about their products, services, and requirements with customers to publishing and delivering consistent and engaging communications products, including communication plans, information notifications, newsletter articles, mass mailers, infographics, quick reference guides, training material and videos. The external communications team supports the OMS Immediate Office and other OMS Offices and external stakeholders, with congressional requests, media/press, conference organizers, OMS intranet sites and internet presence.

She also leads EPA’s Hispanic Employment Program as the council chair overseeing 30+ Hispanic Employment Program Managers from HQs, Regions and Labs from onboarding and training on targeted outreach, recruitment and retention efforts; identifying resources and data for barrier analysis; coordinating national programs and sponsorships at diversity conferences; communicating on Hispanic initiatives, hiring webinars; to supporting the development and implementation of the agency’s DEIA strategy and Hispanic Outreach Strategy plans.

Prior to joining EPA, Sandra worked with an array of Fortune 500 companies from Fidelity Investments, PwC, and EY. Her positions varied in Human Resources, Business Technology, Marketing, Financial Services and Program/Project Management.

Sandra is a dual mixed Latina of Colombian and Puerto Rican descent. She has an MBA degree from Trinity Washington University, a BS in International Business Management from the University of New Haven, many professional certifications, and a graduate of the Mujeres de HACE (Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement) women’s leadership program. She is also President Emeritus of Prospanica DC (formally National Society of Hispanic MBAs) DC Chapter and a member of Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc.