The Sacramento Bee and Nehemiah Leaders Programs are celebrating this year’s 60 Change Makers. Join them at our gala at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at the Grand Sheraton in downtown Sacramento. Buy tickets at sacramentochangemakers.com.
Jenny Rodriquez wants to help Sacramento thrive, and she’s giving back to her community to make that happen.
Rodriquez is a supplier education and economic development partnerships representative for the Sacramento Municipal Utilities District, or SMUD. Through the SEED program, she helps small businesses in Sacramento partner with SMUD and hosts workshops and events.
“If we can keep the lights on and also continue to do business with businesses in our area, then it’s a win-win,” Rodriquez said.
Rodriquez was born and raised in Sacramento and has been with SMUD for over 20 years. She started in customer service and worked in departments across the company while earning her undergraduate and master’s degrees with SMUD’s tuition assistance program.
Jenny Rodriquez, economic and small business development representative for the SMUD, poses for a portrait after being recognized as one of this year’s Change Makers on Saturday, July 11, 2026. JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS jvillegas@sacbee.com
She also co-founded an employee resource group at SMUD called Latinos Unity Network for Action — Luna for short, which is a family name of Rodriquez’s — and is president of Sacramento’s chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America.
On top of her roles in the city of Sacramento, she also serves on Elk Grove’s diversity and inclusion commission. Outside of work, she’s a wife and mother of four kids.
Rodriquez said she wants herself and members of these organizations to blaze a path and open doors for those who come after them.
“Things are going to be good, better than they were at least, from when I showed up,” Rodriquez said.
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Camryn Dadey is The Sacramento Bee’s Elk Grove and Rancho Cordova watchdog reporter. She is a 2022 graduate of Sacramento State.