Capitol Weekly’s Top 100: Jennifer Barrera

10. Jennifer Barrera

Nearly 40 percent of all businesses in California are woman-owned, so it’s fitting that the state’s largest and most powerful business advocacy organization is run by a woman. President and CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce since 2021, Jennifer Barrera is recognized for her incredible blend of grit, political smarts, team building, strategic skills and from-the-ground-up knowledge of policy and its impact on industries big and small. In short, if legislation or a ballot measure or a regulation or even a strong breeze might negatively affect the business community, Barerra and the Cal Chamber are ready. She is adept at threading the needle on complex high-stakes issues, both in policy terms and satisfying a diverse and demanding membership. She’s had some huge wins (PAGA reform comes to mind), and these days the organization is elbows-deep in the flood of AI and other tech bills circulating in the Capitol. Barerra was also quietly behind the Chamber’s rebranding its “job killers” list into the more modern “Affordability Agenda.” Who knows if it will stick, but if anyone can make it work, she can.

Updated Aug. 26, 2025