SPEAKER BIOS
Patricia Rojas-Ungár
VP Public Affairs
U.S. Travel
Patricia Rojas-Ungár serves as Vice President of Public Affairs for the U.S. Travel Association. She uses more than fifteen years of legislative and advocacy experience to lead the development of U.S. Travel’s policy and communications agenda, and represents the travel community before the Executive Branch and U.S. Congress.
Rojas-Ungár has been honored on multiple occasions as one of Washington’s top lobbyists for her effectiveness in advancing the U.S. Travel Association’s government affairs agenda. She has managed several successful public affairs campaigns which resulted in the authorization of Brand USA, expansion of the Visa Waiver Program, and creation of a world-class entry experience.
Prior to joining the U.S. Travel Association in 2008, Rojas-Ungár worked as a Professional Staff Member on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for Senator Joseph I. Lieberman (ID-CT). Her work on the Committee focused heavily on legislating and overseeing the implementation of a variety of travel security programs including Global Entry, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and U.S. VISIT. She was also involved in the development of travel security provisions included in legislation to implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.
Rojas-Ungár also brings valuable knowledge of the U.S. House of Representatives to U.S. Travel having worked for both Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard (D, CA-34) and for former Representative Ken Bentsen (D, TX-25).
She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Master of Social Work from the University of Houston. Rojas-Ungár speaks fluent Spanish and resides in Washington, D.C. with her husband and two children.