The Foundation is delighted to welcome two new members to our Board of Trustees.
Jennifer Rodriguez is Executive Director of the Youth Law Center, a national legal advocacy organization advancing reforms in foster care and juvenile justice to ensure young people grow up in families and communities where they can thrive. A lawyer with more than 25 years of experience, Rodriguez leads efforts to translate research, lived experience, and cross-sector collaboration into policy and systems change. Informed by her own experience in foster care and the justice system, Rodriguez focuses on integrating developmental science and the perspectives of system-impacted youth into public systems to improve outcomes and reduce inequities. Her leadership has contributed to significant state and national reforms for systems-impacted youth. She received her J.D. from the University of California, Davis.
“Having grown up in foster care and the juvenile justice system myself, I’ve spent my career working to change systems that too often fail young people. I’ve seen how powerful research can be when we bring it together with the knowledge and experiences of young people themselves, not just to understand what young people need to thrive, but to fundamentally rethink the systems meant to support them. William T. Grant Foundation has been a leader in connecting research with policy and practice to improve young people’s lives. I’m honored to join the Board and contribute to that work at such an important moment,” Rodriguez said.
Anne Marie Núñez, Ph.D. is the inaugural Executive Director of the Diana Natalicio Institute for Hispanic Student Success and Distinguished Centennial Professor of Educational Leadership and Foundations at The University of Texas at El Paso. Her work focuses on how postsecondary institutions, particularly Hispanic-Serving Institutions, create, sustain, and expand educational opportunity through research, leadership, and institutional transformation. Through scholarship, partnerships, and capacity-building initiatives, she helps advance knowledge, strengthen practice, and support pathways that improve educational, developmental, and career outcomes for young people. She is a Fellow of the American Educational Research Association and an elected member of the National Academy of Education.
“Much of my career has been devoted to understanding how opportunities are created, sustained, and expanded for young people. I’m excited to contribute to the WT Grant Foundation’s mission of helping more young people access meaningful pathways, possibilities, and futures.” Núñez said.
“We are excited that our two newest Board members bring extensive experience in supporting young people and identifying strategies that help them flourish. Jennifer’s background in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems and Anne-Marie’s expertise in Hispanic-Serving Institutions will be of tremendous value to the Board’s discussions. We welcome Jennifer and Anne-Marie to the Board and look forward to working alongside them to advance the Foundation’s mission,” said President Adam Gamoran.
