Celebrating Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month with José Angel Rodríguez 

In honor of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month, we’re highlighting José Angel Rodríguez Guzmán, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at Children’s Council. For over 2 years, José has led HR at Children’s Council, overseeing recruiting, benefits, compensation, employee engagement, employee relations and staff and leadership development. Jose shared about the culture, family and mentors that shaped him and what he hopes other Latinx professionals take from his journey. 

José grew up reading, writing and speaking Spanish, surrounded by nature, music, friends and family. In Puerto Rico, he explained, “family is a big part of life, and neighbors are extended family members.” That sense of community has stayed with him throughout his life. Language, music and culture have remained a big part of his identity.   

His father left a lasting mark. He often told José and his brothers that hard work and education were the keys to earning an honest living. “That message became a guiding principle in my life and remains one that I live by today.” With his father’s encouragement, José and his brothers all pursued higher education. Learning, discipline and perseverance still shapes how José approaches challenges, opportunities and personal growth. 

José began his HR career at Hewlett-Packard (HP) in Puerto Rico and was later relocated to Houston. At HP he worked mostly within the Latin America region, and his Latino identity was simply part of who he was. That changed when he joined a U.S.-centric organization. “Before, I rarely gave a second thought to my cultural identity; after, it became something that was often noticed, discussed and at times, used as a label.” This shift gave him a deeper understanding of something he now works on every day as an HR leader: how a workplace environment can shape a person’s sense of belonging and inclusion. 

When asked about his mentors, José starts with his mother, “a strong Puerto Rican woman who overcame significant adversity as both a young woman and a mother. Her example taught me resilience, perseverance and compassion for those facing challenges.” That resilience has helped him handle change and hard situations with confidence throughout his life. 

José also credits two women who managed and mentored him along the way. Doreen, a second-generation Mexican American, recognized his potential early and encouraged his growth. Later, Maria, a Cuban leader in the nonprofit sector, guided him into nonprofit work and inspired him to aim for senior leadership. 

For José, diversity in leadership goes beyond appearances.

“A leadership team that reflects the rich diversity of its staff and the communities it serves is better positioned to understand their needs, build trust and lead with authenticity.”

José believes that diversity strengthens Children’s Council’s credibility as servant leaders and helps the organization make a greater impact. That commitment shows up in how Children’s Council serves Spanish-speaking families and providers: offering Spanish-language child care and financial assistance support, a Spanish-accessible website, Spanish-language trainings and bilingual support for licensing, business and subsidies. “This language support matters”, Jose explained, “because it helps our community access critical services more comfortably in their native language and navigate resources with greater confidence.” 

José reflected that Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month is a chance to celebrate the community’s contributions to the world and to keep educating others, because many people still struggle and suffer because of who they are or where they come from. He also hopes people will look past a single label.

“Latin America is a collective of cultures, dialects, places and experiences and we should not be grouped under just one definition.”

José’s message to Hispanic/Latinx professionals pursuing leadership is to take ownership of their path. He encourages people to seek out leaders who inspire them, ask questions and learn from their experiences, noting that some of the most valuable mentorships are informal. “Leadership opportunities may not come immediately, but with persistence, continuous learning and the right advocates, they will come.”