Well-known throughout corporate and media circles for her broad range of expertise and high level of professionalism, Rodríguez has worked for many of the biggest brands beyond the region, including Intel, Univision, PG&E, and the Public Policy Institute of California.

Previously, Rodríguez served as the Vice President of Public Affairs for Mi Pueblo Foods, where she was instrumental in building the company’s first-ever public affairs department. She and her department were critical in earning the political and grassroots support to fuel the company’s rapid expansion from 10 to 21 locations throughout Northern California within a two-year period. Under her leadership, Mi Pueblo created innovative philanthropic programs that engaged thousands of customers and invested over two million dollars benefiting students, families, and numerous nonprofit organizations.

Among her many accomplishments, Rodríguez has been recognized by her peers as a leader in the public relations industry. She has been recognized by the Silicon Valley Business Journal twice; in 2019 she was awarded a Latino Business Leadership Award, and in 2011 was recognized as one of the 100 most influential women in Silicon Valley. The National Grocers Association highlighted her for developing the Best Public Service campaign in the supermarket industry in 2011. In 2005, while working as a Community Affairs Manager for Univision 14, she was nominated for an Emmy Award as executive producer of the Exito Escolar education program.

Rodríguez holds a BA in international relations from Stanford University and an MPA from the University of San Francisco, with an emphasis in Health Services Administration. She is also a recent graduate of the Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative by the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Latino Business Action Network (LBAN).

Outside of work, Perla dedicates much of her time to public service. She currently serves as Board President for San Jose Spotlight, San Jose’s first nonprofit news organization. She continues to support education and college scholarships through her service on the Board of the Bay Area Gardeners Scholarship Foundation. In 2020, she was appointed to the Advisory Board of the University of San Francisco’s Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good.