Childhood is considered a formative period because the lessons and values instilled during that time become one’s beacon, the guiding light he or she relies on throughout life and reverts to when making important decisions. Chris Rodney was raised in New Orleans by an educator (mom) and a mechanic (dad) alongside four siblings. Their light – service – is an understanding that the heart of a community lies in its ability to lend a helping hand.  

Rodney joined Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) in September as the senior director of Business Services, with a vision to make the systems that support the organization work better for everyone. Equipped with a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston-Downtown, where she concentrated on project management and process improvement, she is focused on identifying inefficiencies and strengthening the processes that guide the business office.

Her team is currently taking steps to improve contract response times, enhance customer service experiences and develop training opportunities for internal staff and external partners.   

“We are here to provide a service to Harris County families and residents, and we want to make sure that we are doing our due diligence to make life easier for our stakeholders,” she said. “They must follow procedures, but it’s our job to make sure our customers receive the best service that we can offer. It starts with listening to the feedback we’ve received, making changes where necessary and making sure everyone is on the same page, so I’m excited for this new chapter.”  

Despite her initial plans to become a clinical psychologist, Hurricane Katrina forced her family to evacuate to Jasper, TX, where Rodney found a home in finance. She earned a degree in accounting while attending Sam Houston State University and went on to work in several service-based roles, including nonprofits supporting the environment and veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. She brings nearly 20 years of experience to her new role as senior director and a belief that her work is more than refining procedures. Rodney is helping build a more efficient operation that allows those who depend on HCDE’s services and resources to get the support they need. 

“My parents always instilled in us to make a difference wherever we could,” she said, smiling. “Giving back and watching something you’ve poured into bloom is the reward. When I look at HCDE, I know this is exactly where I need to be because the impact our work has on the community and the people we serve will last generations.”  

Outside of work, Rodney enjoys cycling, traveling, enjoying all that nature has to offer and trying new restaurants with her husband. They have passed on the value of service to their daughters, the eldest currently working in risk management, and the younger earning a doctorate with aspirations to become a college professor.