Giovanna Rodriguez

I am a social communicator and digital marketing expert with over 20 years of experience in my field, having earned my degree in 2002. Currently, I serve as Executive Director of a nonprofit organization that promotes education for Latino restaurant owners, where I train them on all topics related to business including Human Resources, Administration, Management, business planning, and hospitality industry certifications. I also own and run my own digital marketing agency with my husband as my business partner, working with clients not just in Des Moines but across the United States in Texas, Virginia, and Florida. My mission is to help the Latino community by providing training on AI tools, communication skills, and marketing through workshops in Spanish, because I want to reduce the gap between AI knowledge and the community since most information is in English. I am proud to be the first Latino woman in the Des Moines area doing this work. Originally from Nicaragua, I worked for Plan International Nicaragua for six years in my last role there, and also gained experience with national nonprofits, as a university teacher, and as a consultant. When I came to this new country, I had to begin from zero, but I have been able to continue working in my expertise and follow my dreams. My goal is not just running my business, but engaging my expertise and experience to help the community, because if other business owners grow, my business grows with them, and we help the city and the economic dynamic of the city.