Annette Alvarez is referred to as one of the most well connected women in Arizona and in the U.S. She is CEO of Alvarez Inc., "Opening Doors to Business," a consulting firm that offers clients innovative, effective, and successful business solutions to the challenges of client relationship management,, government relations, community outreach, coalition building, and strategic connections for business. Ms. Alvarez combines business expertise, public relations experience, professional and political connections, and a commitment to utilizing new ideas and concepts to successfully elevate her clients to the forefront of national and local recognition.

Also known as a prolific public speaker, Ms. Alvarez has addressed groups ranging from the JFK School of Government at Harvard University, to Wine, Women and Politics.

Ms. Alvarez has been honored with several awards over the past few years. Most recently she was asked by Mayor Gordon to serve on the public relations committee for the 2006 City Bond Election. She received the 2004 Latina Leadership Award from the National Foundation for Women Legislators and was also nominated for the University of Phoenix Distinguished Alumni Award.

During her Presidency of the Phoenix Metro Chapter of National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Ms. Alvarez, together with the Board of Directors, brought the organization to unprecedented levels of national recognition building on the successes of prior years. As a result of her ability to bring organizations together, she received NAWBO's "Bridge Builder Award" twice. The Business Journal has recognized her on several occasions, including being named as one of the "Women of Vision" and as one of "The 100 Most Influential in Business." Arizona Business Magazine named her as one of the "People to Watch in 2002," and she was also recognized during Native American Recognition Days 2002 for Outstanding Contribution to the Native American Community by a Non-Native Individual.

Prior to starting her own company in 1992, Ms. Alvarez served as official spokesperson for Fife Symington's 1990 successful bid for Governor of Arizona. Under Governor Symington's tenure, Ms. Alvarez was appointed as Policy Advisor for International Relations, in which capacity she established and directed diplomatic relations between Mexico and the governor's administration. Ms. Alvarez worked to restructure the Arizona Mexico Commission to meet the changing economic demands resulting from the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Her work contributed to the opening of the Arizona Office of Trade, Tourism and Investment in Mexico City.

Born in Douglas, Arizona, Ms. Alvarez received her BS in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. She has been active in many diverse organizations including Mayor Phil Gordon's Advisory Board, the Board of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce, the Friendly House, the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Athena Powerlink Governing Board; KAET Advisory Board of Directors, the MISS Foundation; the Voter Outreach Advisory Council for the State of Arizona; the Coalition for Latino Political Action, Former Board Member and Vice Chair of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Valley Leadership (Former Chair - Breakfast Leadership Series); Junior Achievement; and the West Valley Child Crisis Nursery (Board of Advisors); MALDEF, and Past President and Board Member of the National Association of Women Business Owners(NAWBO).