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Champion - Nadine Arroyo Rodriguez

Super Bowl committee VP strong on providing opportunities for change

Supporting social change is near and dear to Nadine Arroyo Rodriguez' heart. And for this 37-year-old Valley businesswoman, paving the professional pathway for others is creating a lasting impression.

Recently named the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee's (AZSBHC) vice president of Emerging Business and Community Outreach, Rodriguez will direct all aspects of the Committee's Emerging Business program. This program educates and prepares MWBE (Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise) businesses to do business with the NFL and the Super Bowl.

Rodriguez looks upon her role as a great responsibility.

"I work everyday to give my best and help others grow...it's not about me, it's about the bigger picture," says Rodriguez. "If I can bring about a positive change, then I have achieved one more of my goals in helping create growth and progress for others."

GROWING UP IN THE WINDY CITY

Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Chicago, Rodriguez had the opportunity of growing up in two different worlds. The oldest of four siblings, she was raised by a single mother in a prominent Mexican community. Rodriguez draws much pride from her upbringing.

"I had the opportunity of experiencing two Latino worlds.I grew up with pride as a Puerto Rican woman and appreciated what it meant to be Latina in every sense of the word."

Rodriguez transfers this sense of achievement into her professional career, where she will also manage the community affairs programs supported by the AZSBHC and the NFL, such as the Youth Education Town (YET) and the Super Learning - Super Reading Program. She will also oversee a series of emerging business workshops, as well as the compilation of the Business Resource Guide.

As an avid supporter of higher education, Rodriguez graduated from Chicago's Columbia College with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism. It was her experiences in Chicago that prepared and linked Rodriguez to her current role.

"While in Chicago, I had the opportunity to be a part of the city's Minority-Owned Business Enterprise program for five years. This directly led to what I am doing today."

She served as Public Information and freedom of information officer for the city of Chicago's Department of Procurement Services. In this role, Rodriguez worked with chambers of commerce, business organization and vendors. While there, she designed and implemented the department's MWBE marketing plan.

'BOWL'-FUL OF OPPORTUNITIES

Rodriguez believes the Super Bowl is just one of the many great activities the state offers.

The AZSBHC held its first Emerging Business Workshops on Nov. 14 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. Rodriguez, along with NFL officials and contractors working with the league, informed participants how to do business with Super Bowl XLII and the NFL.

Participants also learned how to take advantage of the many procurement opportunities that will surround Super Bowl XLII, to be played at University of Phoenix Stadium on Feb. 3, 2008.

As a wife and mother of two daughters, ages seven and 10, Rodriguez finds many areas of motivation and stays driven to serve a particular role, both personally and professionally.

"I continually have a sense of motivation to move forward. I will continue to work as a positive role model."