Roberto J. Rodriguez Joins Bainum Family Foundation Board of Directors
Bethesda, Maryland (May 23, 2017) — Roberto J. Rodriguez, a nationally recognized expert in education policy and governance, has joined the Bainum Family Foundation Board of Directors.
"We are thrilled to have Roberto serve on our Board of Directors," said Barbara Bainum, Chair of the Board, CEO and President of the Bainum Family Foundation. "He has dedicated his career to advancing equity, access and excellence in education, ensuring that all students receive a complete and competitive education that prepares them for lifelong success. He also has been a leader in building multisector partnerships to support educational innovations. His experience and perspective will be very valuable as we continue to implement our strategy."
The Foundation — now in its 49th year of operation — has made a five-year, $10 million commitment to improve early childhood in the District of Columbia. As part of this effort, the Foundation has convened a Birth-to-Three Policy Alliance that brings together leading children's policy, advocacy and service nonprofits to create comprehensive solutions for infants and toddlers and their families, with a focus on the District's Wards 7 and 8. The new Bainum Foundation Farm seeks to improve access to healthy, affordable food in these same low-income neighborhoods.
A resident of Washington, D.C., Rodriguez most recently served as White House Deputy Assistant for Education to President Barack Obama, where he developed and led the Administration's education initiatives to create systemic change and improve opportunity and outcomes across the educational continuum. Before that, he worked as Senior Education Advisor and later Chief Education Counsel to the late U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts.
Serving at the federal level across two Administrations, he was involved in enacting major pieces of educational legislation, including the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, Head Start Act of 2007, Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 and the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.
A native of Michigan, Rodriguez began his professional career in Washington, D.C., as Senior Education Specialist at the National Council of La Raza. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and an Ed.M. from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.
The Bainum Family Foundation combines proven expertise with a passion for supporting the whole child by providing integrated services to help them thrive. Our circle of collaboration includes investments and support in early learning, wrap-around services and knowledge building. Founded in 1968 by Stewart and Jane Bainum, the Foundation has helped underserved children exit poverty through high-quality educational programs and services for nearly 50 years. For more information, visit bainumfdn.org.
Ed Walz
Springboard Partners
ed@springboard.partners
Senior Director of Communications
aegan@bainumfdn.org