about grace

I help do-gooders do greater.
I like to make fun things and make things fun.
I love to connect, inspire, enlighten, empower and play.
I aspire to be thoughtful. In all senses.
I invite you to join me.

Want to learn why and how I do what I do? Hear, here …

RECENT NEWS

I work (or have worked) to leave the world a better place than I found it, as:

BIO:

Grace Rodriguez catalyzes social innovation and impact. She blends design thinking with new technologies to help startups and growing companies:

  • Clarify vision and values
  • Explore novel opportunities
  • Develop insight-driven, results-oriented strategies
  • Brand and position offerings
  • Communicate with stakeholders and audiences
  • Execute on mission elegantly and effectively

Grace Rodriguez is a dynamic force for positive change, dedicated to empowering visionaries and change-makers to leave their mark on the world. With a rich background in both the public and private sectors, including roles at Houston City Council, TED, and Station Houston, Grace has consistently observed disparities in support for diverse entrepreneurs striving to turn their impactful ideas into thriving ventures. This observation led her to co-found Impact Hub Houston, a 501c3 nonprofit entrepreneur incubator and impact innovation catalyst.

At Impact Hub Houston, Grace and her team empower a diverse group of innovators to tackle society’s most pressing challenges while building inclusive and equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems. They are part of a global network that is recognized by the United Nations as the world’s largest community dedicated to accelerating solutions for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Collaborating with over 115 Impact Hubs across 69 countries, and leading the Impact Hubs in North America, Impact Hub Houston offers a welcoming community, personalized programs, and international resources to help local entrepreneurs drive change.

Grace is more than just a leader; she’s a mentor, guiding diverse startups in various accelerator and entrepreneurship programs, including MassChallenge, Founders Institute, and Rice University’s Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Her passion extends beyond the city limits of Houston as she advocates for her city on national and global stages, actively participating in initiatives like the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs, Kauffman ESHIP National Resource Providers, and the Global Entrepreneurship Network.

With an impressive portfolio of roles on numerous boards, co-leaderships, and as the driving force behind essential events like TEDxHouston, Code for Houston, The Houston Innovation Summit, and Women in Tech: Houston, Grace is deeply committed to the betterment of her community and the advancement of innovative thinking.

Grace is a founding member of the Women & Minority Business Task Force, Opportunity Zones Task Force, and Mayor’s Innovation & Technology Advisory Committee for the City of Houston. She currently serves on the Boards of Houston Downtown Management District, Houston Office of Business Opportunity, and Born Global. But Grace’s impact doesn’t stop there; she’s been a beacon of hope and a source of support for countless people. During Hurricane Harvey, she played a pivotal role in distributing vital information to a quarter of a million Houston residents, connecting tech volunteers with the resources they needed; and her diverse endeavors have reached more than 300,000 individuals over the last decade.

Grace has shared her experiences and insights at regional and international TEDx events, the University of Houston, Spring Branch ISD, WBEA, Creative Mornings, Q Ideas/Q Commons, TechStreet, HiMA Interactive Strategies Conference, Texas Conference for Women, New Leaders Council, Visualized, Ignite Houston, the Youth Leadership Conference, Houston Arts Alliance and HISD.

Grace’s work also speaks for itself, earning her well-deserved recognition as an Outstanding Leader by the Houston Business Journal, Innovation Map, and Houston Exponential. Grace is not just a leader; she’s an inspirational force for change, showing us all that with determination and vision, we can shape a better world. Grace Rodriguez is the embodiment of how one person’s dedication and vision can create a profound impact on society, proving that positive change is not just a possibility – it’s a reality within our grasp.

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