Rolando Rodriguez

President and CEO
Jackson Memorial Foundation

Rolando Damian Rodriguez has served since 1991 as President and CEO of the Jackson Memorial Foundation.   The Foundation develops new programs for the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center, one of the largest teaching hospitals in the nation and is acknowledged as one of the most successful public hospital foundation in the United States...Under his direction, the start-up foundation has developed a number of valued community projects, including the Ryder Trauma Center and Jackson’s Holtz Children’s Hospital.  He also founded the International Kids Fund, a program aimed at raising support throughout the world for the care of critically-ill children from Latin America and the Caribbean.  As a member of Jackson’s executive staff, Mr Rodriguez led the development of new patient hospitality services delivering high-end patient services.  Under his direction the Foundation also created a fully owned subsidiary, Foundation Health Services, that managed all international health marketing, hospitality and customer service programs for the hospital.  This program grew from a small $13 million program in 2006  to almost $100 million in gross charges by 2010. 

Previously, Mr. Rodriguez was Executive Director of the Catholic Health and Rehabilitation Foundation, an Archdiocesan agency created under his guidance to develop and support a variety of health and elderly care programs in South Florida.  He was responsible for the development and funding of Genesis, one of the first comprehensive residential AIDS programs in the nation.

Rolando has been active on local and national levels of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, having served as President of the local chapter and serving for 8 years on the AFP National Foundation Board.  Nationally, Rolando was the first Hispanic American to serve on AFP national committees and boards.  He has been involved in the development of philanthropy and the fund raising profession in Mexico, including serving as visiting faculty for fund raising courses in Mexico City and Tijuana.

Locally, he is a Trustee Board Member with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, having served as Chair of the Healthcare Committee, Chair of the Health Care Heroes Award, Chair of the Chamber ‘s Children’s Health Initiative and Chairof the Cutting Edge Award.  He also serves on the World Trade Center Miami Board of Directors.  He has served on a number of community initiatives and been involved in civic activities in his home city of Miami Beach through service on city committees.

Born in Havana, Cuba, Mr. Rodriguez grew up on Miami Beach, where he currently resides.  He is married to Patricia Caballero and has three children, Nicholas, Lauren and his step-son, Marcelo.