Denisse Rodriguez

Denisse Rodríguez is an ecosystem builder and social entrepreneur working at the intersection of economic and community development. As Executive Director at the Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust, she founded and leads Colmena66, an award-winning program which makes entrepreneurship easier by connecting entrepreneurs with the vital, just-in-time, on-the-ground resources they need to accelerate their ideas and turn those into sustainable businesses that create jobs. Through entrepreneur-led economic development strategies, Denisse works to strengthen a cohesive and vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Puerto Rico.

Denisse was selected as one of thirteen members of the first Leadership Council that is establishing the Ecosystem Building Leadership Network, dedicated to advancing the field of entrepreneurship ecosystem building. Furthermore, she was nominated by the President of the Federal Reserve Bank of NY to be part of the Consumer Advisory Board of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, becoming the first Puerto Rican living in Puerto Rico to do so.

Prior to that she was the Chief Operating Officer at Codetrotters, the first coding school in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. During her time as Program Manager at Foundation for Puerto Rico (FPR), she rolled out the microfinance platform Kiva in Puerto Rico and designed, implemented and measured other social innovation programs.

Denisse is part of AARP Puerto Rico’s Executive Council where she focuses on entrepreneurship support for older adults, was recognized by the World Economic Forum as a founding Global Shaper of the San Juan Hub, and was selected as an Ideas Fellow of the Aspen Institute, in Aspen, Colorado.

Prior to joining FPR, she worked in the public sector as Deputy Fiscal Agent at the Government Development Bank for Puerto Rico (GDB). Denisse began her career at Goldman Sachs' Investment Banking Division in New York City, where she financed and advised not-for-profit healthcare institutions. Denisse obtained a B.A. degree in Finance and Marketing with honors from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus.