Corporate Social Responsibility

By Amy Archuleta

As a vice president in Global Communications at Prudential Financial, Inc., Lisa Villareal (BS 89) is implementing public relations strategies for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). CSR includes the company’s philanthropy, impact investments, corporate contributions and employee engagement activities. She enjoys working with the best in the corporate world, having access to information that may not be readily available in other professions and prompting topics she believes are for the greater good.

The Roswell native’s career, so far, has been an adventure. Lisa recalls when she graduated from ENMU with her degree in communications and television broadcasting, that many of her classmates landed jobs before she did. However, Lisa kept herself open to adventure and possibilities.

Lisa Villareal

At ENMU, one professor in particular impacted Lisa’s career the most. Dr. Phelps laid the first brick in Lisa’s career by pushing her to take an internship with Voice of America, which led to her start as a news reporter and videotape editor in Albuquerque, putting to use her experience from KENW at ENMU. Then she served as a staff assistant for The Honorable Jeff Bingaman, U.S. Senator for New Mexico.

From 1993-1997 she served as a presidential appointee in several positions at the Cabinet level for the U.S. Government in Washington, DC. At the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Villareal worked in various communications and media related capacities. She also worked in the U.S. Executive Branch as scheduler in the Office of the First Lady in The White House.

Lisa joined Prudential Financial, Inc. in 1997 and has worked in various capacities. She was responsible for generating publicity for Prudential Investment Management’s international investments business unit and managed communications for Prudential’s international insurance, wealth management and global derivatives areas.

Lisa believes it’s important for students to make the most out of their educations, staying open to possibilities and seeking out people who encourage you. “A career needs to be approached as a marathon, not a race,” Lisa explained.