Linda Garza, general counsel for Siete Family Foods, will deliver keynote at 2025 Moody College Graduation

Linda Garza, Moody College of Communication alum and general counsel for Siete Family Foods, will return to The University of Texas at Austin next month to speak to a crowd of thousands of students and their loved ones at the 2025 Moody College graduation. 

After graduating from Moody College’s Department of Journalism and Media in 1997, she went on to earn a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Houston in 2001. 

“As a proud graduate of Moody College, the opportunity to deliver the commencement speech for the Class of 2025 is deeply meaningful,” Garza said. “Nearly 28 years ago, I walked across the stage to get my diploma, uncertain about the future but filled with hope and ambition. Returning to the stage is an extraordinary full-circle moment for me and a time to share my experiences and the life lessons I’ve learned with a new generation of communicators, problem-solvers and change-makers.”

Since completing her education, Garza has held multiple positions at the Webb County District Attorney’s office including Chief Prosecutor of the Special Victims Unit. In March 2018, Garza began working as General Counsel for their family’s beloved brand, Siete Family Foods. 

In Jan. 2025, Siete was acquired by PepsiCo, a $1.2 billion deal in which Garza played a significant role.  

Garza emphasized the power that communication has in today’s world and how it has benefitted her both personally and professionally. As a journalism student, Garza said that the program taught her how to think critically, investigate thoroughly and communicate with clarity. 

“My time at Moody College was truly transformative,” she said. “It was here that I discovered my voice and learned how powerful and effective communication can be in bridging gaps and driving meaningful progress. Communication is essential to everything we do — it’s how we connect, understand and solve problems.” 

She says that the skills she gained while at Moody College have proven to be invaluable in the legal field, where the ability to craft clear, compelling arguments, convey complex information effectively and adapt communication styles to diverse audiences is essential for success. 

“What excites me most is the opportunity to inspire these graduates to use their voices and their skills to positively impact the world and to confront challenges with courage,” Garza said. “In a time when the need for truth in communication has never been greater, I hope to remind them that they are the new catalysts for change — and that the way they communicate and engage with their communities and the world can inspire change and shape the future.”

The 2025 Moody College of Communication Graduation ceremony will take place at 1:30 p.m. May 9 at the Moody Center. Family and friends of graduates will crowd the arena to watch as students walk the stage. 

The following day, graduates are invited to attend the UT-wide commencement ceremony, which includes the conferring of degrees by Interim President Jim Davis, the traditional lighting of the Tower in orange to honor graduates and a fireworks display.