Founded by Dr. Ricardo Rodriguez and Jesse Carrillo, The Rooted Life is a boutique minority founded and led bilingual coaching and consulting organization that is centered on people and culture at the core.
We evoke essential identity, culture, collaborative, and action-oriented best practices within and across those we serve to drive individual and collective sustainability.
Our approach creates, unites, and empowers individuals and communities to show up, be, and do better for oneself and for each other. Our approach incorporates research-based frameworks to trigger thinking, strategy, and collaboration in alignment and reflection of the individuals and communities we serve.
Team Rooted
Dr. Rick Rodriguez
Co-Founder, Consultant
LinkedIn
Rooted in the Chichimeca people of Central and Southern Mexico -Rick is a first-generation Mexicano Americano originally from Laredo, Texas. Rick has lived through and acknowledges the challenges that individuals and communities of color face across our systems. Barriers to success have further fueled his mission to ensure that the work is laser-focused on removing such barriers and mindsets for others.
Rick brings experience from the corporate , K-12, and social sectors where his leadership has incorporated collaborative approaches to strategies, structures, and frameworks that center on the needs of individuals, teams, and systems while engaging necessary internal and external stakeholders in the process for progress. Rick is a strong believer in the reality that “Si se puede!” and is determined to lead efforts that bring about what is best for all.
Rick holds a B.A. in Sociology from Texas A&M University – San Antonio, an M.S. in Human Resource Development, and an Ed.D in Professional Leadership K-12 from the University of Houston. Now based in La Tierra del Encanto (New Mexico), the mountains are calling and Rick is steadfast in reclaiming what should and will be.
Jesse J. Carrillo
Co-Founder, Consultant
LinkedIn
Originally from El Paso, Jesse began his career as a teacher in Houston to serve a community that he could see himself in and students who could potentially see themselves in him. He's since served in leadership capacities across districts, non-profits, and in the financial industry, developing a set of skills that have enabled him to navigate systems of change.
Jesse is passionate about creating opportunities for underrepresented communities and has worked tirelessly to elevate the voices at the heart of the organizations he's served. He became a financial advisor for the same reasons he became a teacher - to uplift his family and community. Jesse is a strategic thinker with a knack for identifying key challenges facing organizations and communities and finding effective solutions to address them.
“My story is shaped by my upbringing and that includes the hardships I experienced alongside my family growing up. I knew that I needed to educate myself to do things differently and that evolved into educating others.”
A first-generation college graduate, Jesse earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Education from Harvard University. Now based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he is enjoying exploring the mountains, finding new ways to slow down, and spending more time with family.