Distinguished Alumnae Named among Top 100 Most Influential Latinas

Dr. Veronica Muzquiz Edwards (B.A. ’86) and Nina Vaca (B.A. ’94), have been named to Latino Leaders Magazine's Top 100 Most Influential Latinas 2020 list.

Edwards is the CEO of InGenesis, one of the largest healthcare total talent solutions firms in North America, supporting clients in clinical healthcare, higher education, and life science industries. Edwards has previously been named among the 50 Most Powerful Latinas in Corporate America by Forbes and People, and has also been included in lists naming the 50 most influential Hispanic business leaders, top 100 middle market CEOs, and America’s top ten female entrepreneurs.

In 2014, Edwards was named a Distinguished Alumna by the Texas State Alumni Association, and in 2015, she was appointed as a regent of the Texas State University System, where she serves as chair of Rules and Regulations. While at Texas State, Edwards was a member of Alpha Phi sorority, Bobcat Marching Band and Orchestra, and the Philosophy Honorary Society.

Vaca is the founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Pinnacle Group, a global workforce solutions company providing multiple service lines to industry leaders in the telecommunications, financial services, transportation, and technology industries. Vaca was awarded the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas Trailblazer of the Year in 2019 and has been named among the Association of Latino Professionals for America’s 50 Most Powerful Latinas and Goldman Sachs’ Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs. Her company has been included in the Inc. 500/5000 list of fastest-growing companies 13 times and in 2015 and 2018 it was named the fastest-growing women-owned/led company by the Women Presidents’ Organization.

In 2005, Vaca became the youngest recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award in Texas State history. She supports current Texas State students through two scholarship funds. The Nina Vaca Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award Endowment provides financial assistance to Texas State students pursuing interests in innovation and entrepreneurship, and the Nina Vaca-Humrichouse Scholarship Fund benefits full time students specializing in multicultural studies with an emphasis on Latino recruitment and retention.