Lena T. Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Chief Marketing and Development Officer,
Urban Entrepreneur Partnership Inc. (UEP)
"I come from a long line of entrepreneurs. In pursuing their own entrepreneurial dreams, my great-grandparents, my grandparents and my parents all created opportunities, not only for our family, but also for our community. When UEP clients succeed in realizing their entrepreneurial goals, the impact of their success extends beyond their families. Their success strengthens the fabric of the community."
As chief marketing and development officer for the Urban Entrepreneur Partnership Inc. (UEP), Lena T. Rodriguez, Ph.D., is responsible for implementing communication, marketing, and public relations strategies for the $14 million Kauffman program, which comprises the UEP, UEP Gulf Coast, and UEP Detroit 150, and for advancing the organization among prospective clients, donors and community stakeholders.
An entrepreneur herself, Dr. Rodriguez consults in the private and nonprofit sectors. She is the co-host of a national-issues talk show on public television station KTWU in Topeka, Kansas, and speaks on topics of entrepreneurship, business management and marketing. She recently won an award from the Direct Marketing Association for her work at the UEP.
Dr. Rodriguez previously served as executive director of special projects and communications for the president of San Diego State University. Also a professor in the College of Business at San Diego State, she taught business classes and M.B.A. entrepreneurship courses in San Diego and Taiwan, Taipei. She has also authored numerous articles on entrepreneurship and written chapters for human resource management and public administration textbooks.
Dr. Rodriguez is a university accreditation officer for the Western Association of Colleges and Universities, and a member of Rotary International. She also belongs to a number of national professional organizations and serves on regional and international boards.
After completing a bachelor's degree in management and an M.P.A. in human resource management, both from Arizona State University,
Dr. Rodriguez earned her Ph.D. in organizational behavior, entrepreneurship and international management at the University of Nebraska, College of Business Administration.
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