Ellen Rodriguez
Ellen Rodriguez is a proud Albuquerque, New Mexico native whose lifelong passion for the outdoors, education, and cultural exploration has shaped both her personal and professional journey. She earned her Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree in Communications and Earth Sciences in 2015, with early career aspirations of becoming a national parks or monument tour guide. During her undergraduate studies, she contributed to educational programming with the Bureau of Land Management, helping develop tour curriculum for elementary students at Tent Rocks National Monument—an experience that deepened her commitment to public education and interpretation of natural spaces.
In 2017, Ellen relocated to South Carolina to pursue a Master’s degree in Project Management at Charleston Southern University, graduating in 2020 with a 4.0 GPA. During this period, she experienced significant personal transitions, including marriage, cross-country relocation, and later divorce—milestones that ultimately strengthened her resilience and independence. Professionally, she built an extensive foundation in the arts, culture, and tourism industry through roles in event coordination and operations, including work with Ripley Entertainment, the Carolina Opry, and various event and box office leadership positions.
Today, Ellen serves as the Ticket Operations Manager for the City of Albuquerque’s Arts and Culture Department, where she oversees the backend operations of point-of-sale systems across major city attractions such as museums, theaters, and the zoo. In this newly created role, she is actively shaping systems, troubleshooting technical issues, and supporting multiple departments in daily operations. With more than 16 years of experience in tourism and cultural event operations, she is known for her adaptability, problem-solving mindset, and dedication to growth. Grounded by strong family and community ties, Ellen continues to embrace new challenges with curiosity, resilience, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
• Charleston Southern University - MS
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is, “Don’t be afraid to cross the road.” It means I shouldn’t limit myself to a single path or hesitate to explore opportunities outside my comfort zone. Sometimes growth comes from taking a different direction, trying something unfamiliar, or stepping into roles and experiences that weren’t part of my original plan.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to stay confident, adaptable, and willing to learn as you grow. In my current role, I manage complex ticketing operations across multiple cultural facilities, which requires precision, problem-solving, and coordination under pressure. Outside of work, I also volunteer at my church, helping with children’s ministry and co-leading women’s ministry, which has strengthened my sense of empathy, teamwork, and servant leadership.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge and opportunity in my field right now is that my role is newly created within the City, which means I am actively helping to define and build its responsibilities and structure as we go. At the same time, I manage the technical demands of multiple point-of-sale systems across several cultural facilities, which can be challenging as I don’t consider myself highly IT-savvy. However, this also presents an opportunity to grow, learn new systems, and help shape more efficient processes that support both staff and visitors.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values in my work and personal life are service, persistence, and community. I place a strong emphasis on serving others, which is reflected in my long-term volunteer roles at church, including supporting children’s ministry and co-leading women’s ministry. I also value persistence—staying committed even when challenges arise—and I recognize the importance of asking for help and collaborating with others when needed, rather than trying to do everything alone.
Locations
City of Albuquerque
Albuquerque, NM 87121