LOS ANGELES, Oct. 4, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- The information in this news release is embargoed until 7 p.m. Eastern:
Venture philanthropist Eli Broad announced today that Noelia Rodriguez has been named Chief of Staff and Director of External Affairs, effective October 27, 2003, for The Broad Foundations.
Since January of 2001, Ms. Rodriguez has been the Press Secretary and Director of Communications for First Lady Laura Bush. As part of President Bush's administration, Ms. Rodriguez acted as Mrs. Bush's counsel and spokesperson, and was responsible for communication strategy for the First Lady. Prior to her work in the White House, Ms. Rodriguez was President and CEO of the L.A. Convention 2000, the host committee for the first Democratic National Convention of the 21st century. Ms. Rodriguez previously served as Deputy Mayor to former Los Angeles Mayor Richard J. Riordan.
"Noelia's White House experience along with her unparalleled political and communications skills will aid in the work we are doing across the country to improve urban K-12 public schools," said Eli Broad, founder of The Broad Foundations. "She also understands the many national and civic issues that we are involved in. Her knowledge and love of Los Angeles make her an ideal addition to the Broad team."
Chairman of SunAmerica and one of the nation's wealthiest men, Broad has outlined a vision in which a changing economy increasingly relies on a high-skilled, high-performing workforce. With students continuing to fall behind in the current system, the Broad Foundation's goal is to help the public school system meet 21st century challenges with a radical infusion of a new kind of school leadership. Broad calls this approach venture philanthropy.
"I am excited to join an organization that is dedicated to improving the lives of others," stated Noelia Rodriguez. "I am looking forward to applying my experience in our nation's capitol to help Eli Broad and the Broad Foundations reach even greater success."
The Broad Foundations include: a national education foundation dedicated to dramatically improve K-12 public education through better governance, management and labor relations; a global medical research foundation focused on preventing chronic inflammatory bowel disease; a global art foundation that collects and lends contemporary art; and a local foster care/adoption foundation striving to improve the lives of children in the Los Angeles region.
The Foundation recently announced the annual winner of the $1 million Broad Prize in Urban Education to Long Beach Unified School District (CA) for improving overall academic performance while at the same time reducing achievement gaps between ethnic and income groups. The 2003 finalists were: Boston Public Schools (MA), Garden Grove Unified School District (CA), Jefferson County, (Louisville, LA), and Norfolk Public Schools