Brissa Sotelo-Vargas, M.P.P., M.C.M.
Brissa Sotelo-Vargas, M.P.P., M.C.M. is a seasoned energy and government affairs professional with over 20 years of experience, currently serving as Director of Community Relations and Government Affairs at Valero Energy Corporation. She leads local government relations, stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, and community philanthropy, effectively bridging the intersection of business, government, and the communities they serve. Over the past nine years in her current role, Brissa has built lasting relationships with key stakeholders, including local government agencies, community organizations, and business associations, ensuring collaboration and alignment across diverse interests.
Brissa’s professional philosophy centers on listening first, educating herself continuously, and integrating communications with public policy to create practical, actionable solutions. She is known for her ability to bring together disparate stakeholders, translating business concepts to communities and conveying community perspectives back to business and government leaders. Her approach emphasizes the “three-legged stool” of community, government, and business, ensuring progress is grounded in mutual understanding and collaboration.
A graduate of the University of Southern California with a Master of Public Policy (2006) and a Master of Communication Management (2014, including a Local Government Certification), Brissa also holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Spanish with a minor in Political Science from Holy Names University (2001). Fluent in English and Spanish, she leverages her cross-cultural and analytical skills to advocate effectively for business and community interests alike. Outside of work, she serves on the Friends of Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Board and is an active member of multiple professional organizations, including the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, BizFed, Wilmington Chamber, Long Beach Chamber, Los Angeles Latino Chamber, and Hispanas Organized for Political Equality. Brissa is recognized for her strategic leadership, ability to create her own opportunities, and commitment to empowering others, particularly in public affairs and government relations.
• Local government certification
• University of Southern California — Master of Communication Management
• University of Southern California — Master of Public Policy
• Holy Names University — Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Spanish, Minor in Political Science
• Bill Stein Award (upcoming)
• Influential Women 2026
• Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
• BizFed County Federation
• Wilmington Chamber
• Long Beach Chamber
• Los Angeles Latino Chamber
• Hispanas Organized for Political Equality
• Friends of Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Board
• Friends of Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Board
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being able to listen and educate myself on both the business side and the community side. It's about understanding how we can integrate the communications aspect and the government aspect into bringing these different stakeholders together. Listening has been key for me, as well as continuously educating myself so I can effectively bridge the gap between business, community, and government.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I have received is that if I am not invited to the table, bring my own lawn chair. This has really shaped how I approach opportunities and has given me the confidence to create my own seat at the table when doors aren't automatically opened for me.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I would give would be to not put yourself in a box or cover yourself in a bubble, but to be open to opportunities. Just because you don't fit the description for one job title doesn't mean that you can't do that job. Your voice is your power, so silence is not acceptable. Don't let anyone limit you based on traditional job descriptions or expectations. Stay open, speak up, and know that your voice matters.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is that nothing will ever be perfect, and we can no longer be in the middle. Everybody either wants you to be on the right side or the left side, and we've forgotten that in the middle, we can work together a lot quicker and better. There's way too much polarization to the right or way too much to the left. I think the opportunity in this field is to somehow ensure that we're bringing people to the middle, because that's where real collaboration and progress can happen.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My values align with having that moral compass for understanding where the different policy dynamics lie. But most importantly for me, it's to be truthful, always of service, and opening doors for others. These principles guide everything I do, both professionally and personally.