Erica Jacquez

Executive Director of Government and External Affairs, Verizon

Dr. Erica Jacquez, MPA, DPPD, is an accomplished government relations expert with over 20 years of industry experience. Currently, Dr. Jacquez serves as the Executive Director of Government and External Affairs for Verizon and as an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California's Price School of Public Policy. She worked in various government relations roles at federal, state, and local levels. She worked as the Directors Guild of America as the Executive in Charge of Government Affairs and as Associate VP of Government Affairs at AltaMed Health Services.

At the federal level, President Barack Obama appointed Dr. Jacquez to serve as the Intergovernmental/Congressional Affairs and Public Engagement Liaison between the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Congress, and the public nationwide in 2010. In addition, she served as a Legislative Analyst in the Executive Office of President, Office of Management, and Budget's Legislative Affairs; she was the lead coordinator for President Obama's Statements of Administration Policy.

At the local level, Dr. Jacquez worked as the 1st District Field and Unincorporated Services Director for Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina. In this capacity, she served as Supervisor Molina's primary community liaison for over 2 million constituents. She also served as District Director for the CA State Senate, 30th S.D.

Erica earned her doctorate in Policy, Planning, and Development from the University of Southern California, where she defended her dissertation on Latina Elected Officials. She also completed her Master's in Public Administration with an emphasis in Political Management from USC. She graduated from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government's Executive Leadership Program, USC's Ross Program in Real Estate Development, and the Center for Creative Leadership. She is also a graduate of President Obama's inaugural leadership program.

She garnered many accolades throughout her career, including being named to the Huffington Post 40 under 40: Latinos in American Politics in 2014. Passionate about international affairs, Erica was selected and participated in the German Marshall Fellowship, US Spain Young Leaders program, The American Israel Public Affairs Committee progressive delegation.

Panel Information

SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2023

11:00 AM

Latinas in Tech |

This panel will focus on ways in which Latina’s can be empowered to enter the heavily male dominated space of tech. Specifically focusing on education programs that can provide a path into STEM and offer opportunities for Latina’s to build a network with other women in the field.