Miguel Rodriguez Named to Lead Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation

The Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation (DHDC) has announced the appointment of Miguel Rodriguez as its new Executive Director, following a comprehensive six-month national search led by DHDC’s Board of Directors. Rodriguez, a veteran organizer and international development leader, brings over two decades of experience in grassroots power building, youth leadership, and social impact. His career has spanned community empowerment in East Los Angeles, solidarity work with Indigenous communities in Mexico, recovery efforts in New Orleans, and leadership roles with Michigan-based and global nonprofits. 

This leadership transition marks a significant new chapter in DHDC’s ongoing commitment to education, opportunity, and civic engagement for the Southwest Detroit community. After engaging with community members, staff, funders, and community partners, the Board selected Rodriguez to lead the organization into its next era of growth, innovation, and community-centered transformation. 

“Our search process was intentionally collaborative and rooted in community input,” said Joaquin Nuño-Whelan, Board Chair of DHDC. “Miguel’s experience, values, and vision align beautifully with DHDC’s mission and the legacy built over decades. We are excited to welcome him as our next Executive Director.” 

The national search included listening sessions with community stakeholders, targeted outreach to local networks, and a review of highly qualified candidates nationwide—including local leaders—to ensure a strong and diverse pool. DHDC partnered with a nationally recognized leadership consultancy and an executive search firm specializing in mission-driven organizations to ensure a robust and participatory process. 

Under the visionary leadership of Angie Reyes, DHDC has become a cornerstone for development in Southwest Detroit, creating pathways to education, employment, and safety for thousands of youth and families. For decades, Angie has been a tireless advocate for fair access, opportunity and community well-being—especially for communities whose voices are too often overlooked. Her unwavering commitment to community voice and her ability to unite stakeholders across sectors have made her a transformative force in shaping a more just and vibrant Detroit. 

“Angie Reyes built DHDC from the ground up with passion, courage, and an unwavering belief in the power of community,” said Joaquin Nuño-Whelan. “Her incredible leadership and execution have shaped DHDC into a nationally recognized model for grassroots empowerment. We are profoundly grateful for her decades of service and the legacy she continues to inspire. Her legacy will continue to impact our communities for generations to come.” 

The Board also recognized Lex Zavala for his many years of leadership and steadfast support during this transition, ensuring stability and continuity throughout the search process. His contributions helped guide the organization for over two decades and have left a lasting mark on DHDC and the greater Detroit community.

A Lifetime of Community Leadership 

Descended from a family of Mexican agricultural workers who migrated to the United States seven decades ago, Miguel Rodriguez was born and raised in unincorporated East Los Angeles—a community deeply rooted in activism. His organizing journey began in the mid-1990s as he joined other youth advocating for quality education throughout California’s university system, sparking a lifelong commitment to civic engagement. 

As a young adult, Rodriguez moved to Chiapas, Mexico, where he co-founded a grassroots collective that built solidarity between organizers and Indigenous Mayan communities. His initiatives supported Indigenous autonomy and brought infrastructure improvements in clean water, health, and education. Later, in New Orleans, Rodriguez worked with Civil Rights leaders to organize multiracial, working-class community forums—laying the groundwork for early recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina. 

Upon returning to East Los Angeles, Rodriguez led transformative programs in youth leadership, green construction, and community development—efforts that became models for sustainable, community-led change. Over the next decade, he expanded his work internationally, supporting more than fifty communities across Latin America and the Caribbean in economic mobility, civic engagement, juvenile reentry, violence prevention, and infrastructure building. 

Rodriguez has also led cross-sector collaborations among philanthropic organizations, governments, and global institutions to expand opportunities in under-resourced communities. He is a contributing author of several influential resources, including A Comprehensive Field Guide for the Implementation of the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Strategy—instrumental for local governments in Mexico addressing community-based violence—and Youth Pathways: A Workplace Based Training Blueprint—a framework for public and private sector institutions working together to combat youth unemployment in Costa Rica. 

Before joining DHDC, Rodriguez served as Managing Director for a Michigan-based multiracial, working-class power-building organization and as Senior Director of Impact & Innovation for a global youth development organization. He holds a B.A. in International Development Studies from UCLA and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Social Impact. 

“DHDC stands as a beacon of community resilience, creativity, empowerment, and hope” said Rodriguez. “I am deeply honored to join this legacy—one built by Angie Reyes and generations of Detroit leaders—and to work alongside our youth, families, and partners, to build a future that reflects the needs, aspirations, and desires of Southwest Detroit residents, while honoring the rich history and traditions that make this community so extraordinary.”