Vanessa Rodriguez
Vanessa Rodriguez, PE is a seasoned land development professional with more than 17 years of experience spanning both civil engineering and residential community development. Currently serving as a Land Development Manager at Maple Development Group in Houston, Texas, she oversees the planning and execution of large-scale development projects, building on her previous role as Senior Land Development Manager at Ashton Woods Homes. Her career reflects a strong foundation in engineering combined with deep expertise in creating sustainable, thoughtfully designed communities.
Rodriguez began her career as a civil engineer with AECOM, where she specialized in drainage design and public works projects for the City of Houston. Over time, she transitioned into land development, where she has spent more than a decade managing the full lifecycle of residential developments—from infrastructure planning and municipal utility district formation to delivering finished lots for homebuilding. Her technical proficiency in tools such as AutoCAD and ArcGIS, along with her Professional Engineer (PE) licensure, enables her to navigate complex projects with precision and efficiency.
A graduate of the University of Houston with a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rodriguez’s journey into the field was deeply personal, inspired by her father’s unrealized dream of becoming an engineer. She remains passionate about creating affordable communities that positively impact people’s lives while fostering collaboration within the industry. Known for her dedication, leadership, and ability to build strong professional relationships, Rodriguez continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of residential development in the Houston area.
• Texas Licensed Professional Engineer
• University of Houston - Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Linda Laurel Scholarship
• Multiple local and national scholarships
What do you attribute your success to?
I want to say relationships. This industry is a community. Obviously, you have to like what you do. It's very rewarding to create communities that change people's lives, to be able to create communities that people can afford - to challenge yourself to hit it right on the dot, to create value for people, but not too expensive where it's not attainable. But along the journey of this hard, rigorous work, it's very challenging, yet so rewarding because the people that work in this industry in Houston are magnificent. We spend so many hours together - in construction, in meetings, in networking - to solve the hardest problems, and so many of us like each other along the way. It feels like you're working with your friends. It doesn't feel like work when you're having so much fun along the way. The whole industry is magnificent in this city.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Just show up every day optimistic. Give it your best. Learn every day. And contribute something to your team every day. And if all you have to contribute is organization, contribute that. Don't be afraid of what you can contribute. You don't know everything, but you've got something to contribute. Be confident in what you can contribute, because somebody else doesn't have that.