Q&A with Maria Rodriguez
Q: Tell us about your background and where you currently work.
I grew up in the Washington, DC, area, raised by Spanish parents who immigrated from Caracas, Venezuela. They instilled in me a strong work ethic and an appreciation for fabulous food!
I attended George Washington University and originally planned to pursue a career in finance. But a life-changing internship at Community Media -- a small, nonprofit PR firm that specialized in raising awareness of social causes -- opened my eyes to the power of communications, which inspired me to make the world a better place through my work. I immediately switched my major to marketing and squeezed in a couple of classes related to PR and journalism.
A few years after graduating, I co-founded Vanguard Communications -- a PR and social marketing firm dedicated exclusively to uplifting social issues. Fourteen years later, I became the sole owner and continue to serve as the President & CEO. Over the years, I've had the privilege of working with a wide range of nonprofit and government agencies on countless public education and social change campaigns focused on health, civil rights, education and environmental protection.
Q: How long have you been an IWF member?
I'm a newbie! I became a member last year thanks to the nomination and encouragement of Kate Perrin, who has been a long-time collaborator, mentor and dear friend.
Q: How has your career benefited from being an IWF member?
Even though I've only been an IWF member for a year, I've already met so many fascinating and inspiring women who have taken career paths that are completely different from mine. I love learning about their journeys and tapping them for advice on a variety of professional and personal topics.
Joining the IWF Virginia Book Club has definitely been a highlight for me. We gather every couple of months at a member's home, enjoy a delicious meal and talk about the book and the pressing issues of the day. It's been such a rewarding and energizing experience!
Q: What excites you the most right now?
To celebrate Vanguard's 30th anniversary, I launched a program at GW in partnership with the Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute called Comunicadores for the Future. The idea was to introduce first-generation college students -- many with backgrounds like mine -- to the power of PR in advancing social justice and strengthening communities. We're now in our ninth year of providing paid, communications-focused internships at nonprofit organizations. It's been incredibly rewarding to see the impact the program has had on launching careers of those who will inspire, guide and innovate in our industry.
Q: What are you reading or listening to?
Naturally I'm reading the IWF Virginia Book Club's current selection, "Magda, Standing" by Christine Fallert Kessides. Set in early 1900s Pittsburgh, the book tells the story of a young woman as she helps her immigrant family navigate discrimination, the loss of loved ones during World War I and a deadly pandemic. I'm also reading "Grown Woman Talk" by Dr. Sharon Malone, who is a DC-based OB-GYN. The book walks through everything a woman needs to know to truly take ownership over her health and wellness.
I'm an avid podcast listener and squeeze in several each day during my morning walks and while making dinner. My favorites are "The Daily," "Fresh Air," "Consider This," "How I Built This," "Code Switch," "We Can Do Hard Things" and "Next Question with Katie Couric."
Q: Any tips or advice for new members?
Go to as many in-person events as you can. Whether it's a book club gathering, a museum tour, a dine-around or a pop-up happy hour, I guarantee you'll meet incredible women -- and chances are you'll leave each event already looking forward to the next one.
Q: What do you like most about being a member?
The in-person opportunities to have one-on-one conversations with women from diverse backgrounds and career paths are truly invaluable. I always walk away feeling more informed and inspired than when I walked in -- and excited about the next chance to connect and learn from someone new.
Q: Do you have any hobbies?
Do cooking and going to rock concerts count as hobbies? If so, I have my parents to thank for both. My mom worked as a cook at several embassies and also did catering from home, so I learned to cook at a young age. I love experimenting with new recipes and entertaining family and friends. As for music -- my father always had records playing and took us to concerts and "fiestas" with live music. I never turn down an opportunity to go to a concert, especially if it's the Boss!
Q: Favorite place you've traveled?
Growing up, I spent many summers in the Galicia province of Spain, mostly with my maternal grandmother in a tiny village where her house didn't have running water. My cousins often joined me, and together we helped my grandmother tend to vegetable fields and care for farm animals. It was hard work, but I loved being outdoors -- picking vegetables for dinner, walking 2 miles into the neighboring town to visit my aunt and her family, and even hauling buckets of water from the mountain spring several times per day.
Those summers helped shape so much of who I am. I learned about strength and resilience, and I came to understand that many things I took for granted (like running water and access to a higher education) aren't guaranteed for everyone. I also learned what it really means to live in community with others. I'll always have a special place in my heart for Galicia, its food and its people.At ver
Q: Tell us about your background and where you currently work.
I grew up in the Washington, DC, area, raised by Spanish parents who immigrated from Caracas, Venezuela. They instilled in me a strong work ethic and an appreciation for fabulous food!
I attended George Washington University and originally planned to pursue a career in finance. But a life-changing internship at Community Media -- a small, nonprofit PR firm that specialized in raising awareness of social causes -- opened my eyes to the power of communications, which inspired me to make the world a better place through my work. I immediately switched my major to marketing and squeezed in a couple of classes related to PR and journalism.
A few years after graduating, I co-founded Vanguard Communications -- a PR and social marketing firm dedicated exclusively to uplifting social issues. Fourteen years later, I became the sole owner and continue to serve as the President & CEO. Over the years, I've had the privilege of working with a wide range of nonprofit and government agencies on countless public education and social change campaigns focused on health, civil rights, education and environmental protection.
Q: How long have you been an IWF member?
I'm a newbie! I became a member last year thanks to the nomination and encouragement of Kate Perrin, who has been a long-time collaborator, mentor and dear friend.
Q: How has your career benefited from being an IWF member?
Even though I've only been an IWF member for a year, I've already met so many fascinating and inspiring women who have taken career paths that are completely different from mine. I love learning about their journeys and tapping them for advice on a variety of professional and personal topics.
Joining the IWF Virginia Book Club has definitely been a highlight for me. We gather every couple of months at a member's home, enjoy a delicious meal and talk about the book and the pressing issues of the day. It's been such a rewarding and energizing experience!
Q: What excites you the most right now?
To celebrate Vanguard's 30th anniversary, I launched a program at GW in partnership with the Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute called Comunicadores for the Future. The idea was to introduce first-generation college students -- many with backgrounds like mine -- to the power of PR in advancing social justice and strengthening communities. We're now in our ninth year of providing paid, communications-focused internships at nonprofit organizations. It's been incredibly rewarding to see the impact the program has had on launching careers of those who will inspire, guide and innovate in our industry.
Q: What are you reading or listening to?
Naturally I'm reading the IWF Virginia Book Club's current selection, "Magda, Standing" by Christine Fallert Kessides. Set in early 1900s Pittsburgh, the book tells the story of a young woman as she helps her immigrant family navigate discrimination, the loss of loved ones during World War I and a deadly pandemic. I'm also reading "Grown Woman Talk" by Dr. Sharon Malone, who is a DC-based OB-GYN. The book walks through everything a woman needs to know to truly take ownership over her health and wellness.
I'm an avid podcast listener and squeeze in several each day during my morning walks and while making dinner. My favorites are "The Daily," "Fresh Air," "Consider This," "How I Built This," "Code Switch," "We Can Do Hard Things" and "Next Question with Katie Couric."
Q: Any tips or advice for new members?
Go to as many in-person events as you can. Whether it's a book club gathering, a museum tour, a dine-around or a pop-up happy hour, I guarantee you'll meet incredible women -- and chances are you'll leave each event already looking forward to the next one.
Q: What do you like most about being a member?
The in-person opportunities to have one-on-one conversations with women from diverse backgrounds and career paths are truly invaluable. I always walk away feeling more informed and inspired than when I walked in -- and excited about the next chance to connect and learn from someone new.
Q: Do you have any hobbies?
Do cooking and going to rock concerts count as hobbies? If so, I have my parents to thank for both. My mom worked as a cook at several embassies and also did catering from home, so I learned to cook at a young age. I love experimenting with new recipes and entertaining family and friends. As for music -- my father always had records playing and took us to concerts and "fiestas" with live music. I never turn down an opportunity to go to a concert, especially if it's the Boss!
Q: Favorite place you've traveled?
Growing up, I spent many summers in the Galicia province of Spain, mostly with my maternal grandmother in a tiny village where her house didn't have running water. My cousins often joined me, and together we helped my grandmother tend to vegetable fields and care for farm animals. It was hard work, but I loved being outdoors -- picking vegetables for dinner, walking 2 miles into the neighboring town to visit my aunt and her family, and even hauling buckets of water from the mountain spring several times per day.
Those summers helped shape so much of who I am. I learned about strength and resilience, and I came to understand that many things I took for granted (like running water and access to a higher education) aren't guaranteed for everyone. I also learned what it really means to live in community with others. I'll always have a special place in my heart for Galicia, its food and its people.At ver