Meet Brissa Sotelo-Vargas, 2026 Bill Stein Memorial Leadership Award
2026 Bill Stein Memorial Leadership Award: Brissa Sotelo-Vargas, Director of Community Relations and Government Affairs, Valero
Meet the Bill Stein Memorial Leadership Award Honoree, Brissa Sotelo-Vargas
The Bill Stein Memorial Leadership Award was established in 2009 to honor industry volunteers who go above and beyond to support the college and career dreams of EXP students. The award is named after the late Bill Stein, long-time Director of Administration for the Port of Los Angeles and EXP “founding father” who embodied the spirit of generosity and passion for youth development.
Brissa Sotelo-Vargas exemplifies that spirit through her deep and sustained commitment to EXP. She has intentionally built pathways for EXP students throughout her career. From her time at Tesoro to her current role as Director of Community Relations and Government Affairs at Valero, she helps students enter the industry with confidence. She helped establish internships for more than 50 local students and personally mentored more than 15 high school interns, guiding many to permanent roles in the petroleum and maritime sectors.
For Brissa, involvement with EXP goes far beyond professional partnership. She shows up, advocating for grants and sponsorships, hosting interns, speaking to students, writing letters of recommendation, and helping first-generation families navigate the final stretch of high school and college admissions. She believes access to opportunity transforms not only individual students, but entire families.
Through her leadership, generosity, and hands-on mentorship, Brissa has opened doors that continue to make a lasting and profound impact on EXP students. Her commitment reflects the very essence of the Bill Stein Memorial Leadership Award.
We are proud to celebrate you, Brissa! Thank you for all the ways you continue to champion our students!
Join us in honoring Christine at Oceans of Opportunity on April 30
Join us for an unforgettable evening at the 26th annual Oceans of Opportunity Awards & Scholarship Celebration on Thursday, April 30, at the Hotel Maya in Long Beach.
EXP proudly celebrates 26 years of empowering young people to achieve academic, career, and life success. We look forward to welcoming more than 300 civic leaders, industry partners, philanthropists, and educators for an evening, all united by a shared belief in the limitless potential of young people.
