The Austin Young Chamber would like to recognize and pay tribute to this year’s ChangeMaker finalists. The ChangeMaker Awards are part of the 2nd Annual LEAD Summit Luncheon on February 15, 2019. This year’s twelve finalists are inspiring leaders who have a passion for dedicating time and talent to successfully make a difference in our community.

Geronimo Rodriguez

Chief Advocacy Officer | Ascension Texas

Geronimo M. Rodriguez Jr. currently serves as Chief Advocacy Officer for Ascension Texas which is comprised of Ascension Seton & Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin, Texas and Ascension Providence in Waco, Texas. Ascension Texas is a part of Ascension, the largest non-profit healthcare system in the United States. He joined Ascension Texas in June 2006 to expand and institutionalize efforts across the healthcare system in the areas of diversity, inclusion, cultural competence, federal contract compliance, workforce development and civic engagement.

Mr. Rodriguez currently serves as Vice President of the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees and Board Member of KLRU-TV, the local public television station, the Impact Center, and the Austin Anti-Defamation League. He is also a Member of the Austin Area Research Organization, Member of the Subiendo Academy for Rising Leaders Advisory Council, Member of the National PTA Legislation Committee and is an alumni of the Texas Lyceum and the FBI Citizen’s Academy. Finally, he is Past Chair of the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Past Chair of the Leadership Austin Board of Directors and served two year as a Board Member of the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA).

Mr. Rodriguez, a native of Alamo, Texas, graduated from St. Edward’s University with a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, where he received a four year academic scholarship and a College Assistance Migrant Program Scholarship. He served as Student Body President of St. Edward’s University. Mr. Rodriguez also received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law.

As a child, Mr. Rodriguez spent eight months a year as a migrant farmworker traveling with his parents from South Texas to the Northwest United States following the harvest seasons. His parents continue to harvest crops in Oregon and Mr. Rodriguez joins them annually for a week.