LATIN TIMES MAGAZINE - 2019 Summer Edition | Page 19

Latina Lideres Awards
in community
Aileen Rodriguez
2019 Latina Mover N Shaker
by: Jolie Gonzalez-Padilla
My Hispanic Heritage is part of who I
am. I treasure my culture, language and
heritage and am passing this on to my
children. I also share the importance of
preserving our Hispanic heritage with
the community.
LTM: Tell us about where you were born and raised and where
your family is from.
Aileen Rodriguez: I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and grew
up living in both Puerto Rico and Florida. We spent summers
and Christmas in Puerto Rico and the rest of the year in Flori-
da. Both of my parents are from Puerto Rico. My father was
born in Cuba and then raised in Puerto Rico. My grandparents
on both sides of the family have roots from Spain.
LTM: Tell me about what organizations you are a part of
Aileen Rodriguez: Currently I serve Tampa Hispanic Heritage,
Inc. Over the past 15+ years I have served many community
organizations in Tampa Bay to include:
The City of Tampa’s Human Rights Board, Tampa Bay Chapter
of the Florida Public Relations Association, Hillsborough Com-
munity College Foundation, University of South Florida’s Latin
Community Advisory Committee, The Housing and Education
Alliance, WEDU Public Television’s Community Advisory Board,
Ana G. Mendez University System’s Tampa Bay Campus Com-
munity Advisory Board and the Junior League of Tampa’s Com-
munity Advisory Board.
LTM: Tell us about the biggest highlights of your career
Aileen Rodriguez: The biggest highlights of my career were
serving in roles where I was able to use my skills and talents to
benefit our community. I had the honor of serving as Region-
al Director for a United States Senator. My role was to serve
the community within the eight county Gulf Coast region of
Florida. I have also worked in national public relations efforts
promoting economic development for the Tampa Bay region
by serving as Communications Director for the 2012 Tampa Bay
Host Committee for the Republican National Convention.
LTM: As a Latina leader in community, business or other…
what has been your biggest challenge and how have you been
able to overcome it
Aileen Rodriguez: Something that can always be a challenge
in leadership is building consensus among different groups of
people. I have found the best way to accomplish this is by find-
ing common ground and collaborating together to build posi-
tive solutions for everyone.
L atin T imes M agazine
LTM: IF you can go back to let’s say 18-21, what are some of
the pivotal decisions that you have made that you would do
differently
Aileen Rodriguez: I would have continued my education all
the way through graduate school. I earned a bachelor’s de-
gree in communications, and would have continued to earn
a Master’s degree.
Latin Times Magazine: What famous person do you most
identify with and why
Aileen Rodriguez: I admired and looked up to Delia Sanchez,
who was my mentor in college. Although she wasn’t a na-
tional celebrity, she was very well known locally in the Tam-
pa Bay community. She was a strong Hispanic woman who
served the community all throughout her career. She taught
me about community service, the importance of education,
and to always help others.
LTM: Tell us about what kind of projects you currently have
going on
Aileen Rodriguez: Currently, I have the honor of serving as
President of Tampa Hispanic Heritage, Inc. This year we cel-
ebrate the 40th year of the organization. In addition to pro-
moting, preserving and celebrating our Hispanic Heritage, an
ongoing goal of the organization is to raise higher education
scholarship funds for deserving Hispanic students at the Uni-
versity of South Florida and Hillsborough Community Col-
lege. I’m thankful to work closely with a wonderful group of
hard working and dedicated board of directors to accomplish
this goal.
LTM: What is your comida favorita
Aileen Rodriguez: Puerto Rican arroz con habichuelas y ama-
rillitos; and everything chocolate!
Read more at: www.LatinTimesMedia.com
www .L atin T imes M agazine . com
A braza el calor de tu cultura !
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