Danielle Rodriguez’s first job is the one she currently holds.

Technically, Rodriguez’s initial job at the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce held a different title, but she views it as a continuation of the opportunities given to her by Esmeralda Villarreal, the chamber’s chief executive officer. Starting as an intern in college, Rodriguez has worked her way up, diligently, learning and growing in a rising career.

She is today the Brownsville Chamber’s director of marketing and programs. Rodriguez’s growth in the chamber industry was recently recognized nationally as she was chosen as one of the 40 Under 40 emerging leaders for 2022 by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. The 28-year-old chamber executive said the national honor surprised her given that she is still early in her career. Rodriguez sees the recognition as a testament to the work the Brownsville Chamber does.

“I think it says that we’re on the right track at the Brownsville Chamber,” Rodriguez said. “It lets me know that I’m now on that level with other professionals in my field.”

More Than Commerce

Rodriguez is among the younger and rising chamber executives who are expanding the industry’s work beyond the usual norms.

Supporting and nurturing small businesses in the community remains essential work to what chambers of commerce do nationally. There is now a wider definition of community service at many chambers like the one in Brownsville. It includes working with youth, forging stronger connections to higher education and working more collaboratively with partners in economic development.

“Every city is different and has its own issues,” said Rodriguez, a Brownsville native. “You want to be able to speak to your entire community and not only businesses as we continue to support them in their growth and development.”

Connecting To Area Youth

Rodriguez points to a National Civics Bee program the United States Chamber of Commerce administers as an example of new directions. The bee is an annual competition that encourages middle school students to improve their civics literacy. In Brownsville, Rodriguez is overseeing that program and taking it across the Rio Grande Valley. The civics bee involves more than 400 middle school RGV students, and Rodriguez is leading the efforts to nurture engagement and knowledge of local issues. 

“It makes them feel like they have more of a voice,” Rodriguez said of the students, and how the program connects them to area legislators in discussing issues. “They write about issues relating to infrastructure, lighting of streets and roads, and programs for pets.”

The Brownsville Chamber was the only one chosen in Texas to administer the Civics Bee. Rodriguez is the point person in directing the program. Her success with the initiative was among the reasons for her selection to the national 40 under 40 chamber executives list.

RGV Voices

The national honor is especially meaningful for Rodriguez because her mentor, Villarreal, the Brownsville chamber CEO, received the same recognition in recent years.

Rodriguez’s accolade comes in the same year that Barbara Jean Garza, the CEO of the Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce, was also selected for the 40 under 40 list. She praised both Villarreal and Garza as being role models. Rodriguez said Weslaco’s Garza is “a phenomenal leader,” and lauded Villarreal for “taking a chance on me” in guiding her to take on new challenges.

The chamber industry is still a male-dominated industry, Rodriguez said. The inclusion of voices and talents like Villarreal, Garza and herself, she said, are bringing a new dynamic.

“They see us in those rooms,” Rodriguez said of being at national chamber industry meetings and conferences. “We’re representing our communities, the Valley, demonstrating that we now have a voice.”