Spotlight on Rising Changemakers: Hashira Rodriguez

603 Diversity is continuing to share stories of our neighbors in our Rising Changemakers series with another person who is making a difference in diversity spaces of New Hampshire. Our editorial board members and contributors have shared the names of many remarkable people who have not been in this publication before. If you know of someone who deserves some spotlight, please email editor Sarah Pearson at sarahekp@yankeepub.com.

Hashira Rodriguez

CITY: Manchester

Q: What areas of advocacy are you passionate about?

Rodriguez: I’m passionate about creating opportunities for young people, especially those who may not see a clear path for themselves yet. As someone who grew up facing challenges and benefited from having caring adults in my corner, I advocate for youth development, education, workforce readiness and ensuring every child has access to opportunities that can change the trajectory of their life.

Q: How did you get connected with the Boys & Girls Club as a youth?

Rodriguez: I grew up on the West Side of Manchester and joined the Boys & Girls Club when I was 10 years old. What started as a place to go after school quickly became a second home. It was a place where I felt safe, supported and encouraged to dream bigger. The staff invested in me, challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and helped me discover leadership opportunities that ultimately shaped the direction of my life.

Q: What made you want to continue working there for your professional career?

Rodriguez: The Boys & Girls Club changed my life. When I think about my journey from Club member to first-generation college graduate, and now director of development, I recognize that none of it would have been possible without the people who believed in me. Returning to work for the organization felt like coming full circle. Every day, I have the opportunity to help create the same life-changing experiences for today’s young people that were created for me.

Q: Are there any programs that Boys & Girls Club offers now (or is planning to offer soon) that weren’t available when you were a child, but you would’ve liked then?

Rodriguez: Absolutely. Today’s Club members have access to workforce development initiatives, STEM programming, leadership pathways and partnerships with local employers that simply didn’t exist when I was growing up. As a young person, I would have loved exposure to career mentors, internships, financial literacy and entrepreneurship programs. Helping youth see what is possible beyond what they encounter in their immediate environment can be incredibly powerful.

Q: What are your responsibilities as director of development, and how does that fit into the organization’s larger mission?

Rodriguez: As director of development, my role is to build relationships with the people, businesses and organizations that make our work possible. Whether it’s meeting with donors on tours of the Club or Camp Foster, building partnerships, securing sponsorships or sharing the stories of our Club kids, my role is all about bringing people together to invest in the next generation. At the end of the day, it’s about creating opportunities for youth in the Greater Manchester area. It’s truly a team effort, and I’m fortunate to work with so many passionate people who believe every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Q: Are you involved with any other volunteer or social organizations?

Rodriguez: In addition to my work with the Boys & Girls Club, I serve as a vice chair of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Latinos Unidos Mission Resource Group, which focuses on elevating Latino voices and leadership throughout the national organization. I also support community engagement efforts through local young professional and leadership networks and enjoy opportunities to mentor emerging leaders whenever possible.

Q: In what areas would you like New Hampshire to make improvements for children or young adults?

Rodriguez: I would love to see continued investment in youth mental health, workforce development, affordable child care and pathways that help young people successfully transition from adolescence into adulthood. We often talk about preparing young people for college or careers, but we also need to ensure they have access to mentors, transportation, life skills, financial literacy and meaningful work experiences. I would also like to see more intentional efforts to ensure every young person feels represented, valued and connected to their community. When young people have a sense of belonging and believe there is a place for them in New Hampshire’s future, they are more likely to stay, lead and contribute to strengthening our communities for generations to come.

Hashira Rodriguez will be part of NH Business Review’s Powered by Women panel on Nov. 12, 8 to 11:30 a.m., at the Manchester Country Club in Bedford. Watch the events/awards tab at nhbr.com for details.