Silvia L. Rodriguez, MPPA, MBA

Silvia L. Rodriguez is a practitioner of public policy and administration with a business acumen. Her career spans over two decades in the social and health and human services sphere, particularly in behavioral health. This includes analyzing, researching, designing, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and administering state and federal programs in non-profit organizations, and city, county and state governments. Her career in the public sector began as a direct service provider working with non-profit organizations that received public (state/federal) funds to provide services in the areas of drug and alcohol education and treatment, crisis counseling and intervention, school-based counseling, and prevention and early intervention for at-risk youth.

She is an immigrant from Guatemala. Once labeled an “at risk” youth, she now holds a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration (MPPA) and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the California State University, Sacramento. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Pitzer College. Her lived experience navigating inequitable systems, sparked her passion for public service and advocacy. She describes her leadership style as a mission driven servant leader and its applicability is closely associated with the principles of collaborative policy-making and governance. Her leadership extends to civic involvements, which include:

• Board Member, Sacramento County Mental Health Board and Chair of the Children’s Systems of Care
• Chair of Sacramento First5 Advisory Committe
• Liaison, Sacramento County Drug and Alcohol Board
• Member, Mental Health America-California Policy Committee
• Member, American Society for Public Administration, Sacramento

When Silvia is not working on transforming systems for the betterment of Californians, she enjoys spending time with her two adult children; and four grandbabies. They are the engine behind her passion for public service.