Gretel Rodriguez is a proud first-generation Honduran-American and Union County resident. As a proud Rutgers–Newark alumna, she was recognized as the 2025 Public Administration Student of the Year by NJ ASPA and elected as Eagleton Class of 2025 Graduate Fellows Representative.

She served as Outreach Aide to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, where she led stakeholder engagement in K-12 and higher education, energy and agriculture, and LGBTQ+ and womxn’s rights. Her earlier experience includes research at the New Jersey State Policy Lab and voter outreach for various political campaigns in New Jersey and New York.
Gretel holds a Master of Public Administration and a B.A. in Political Science, graduating summa cum laude. As a DACA recipient, she began her political journey advocating for immigration reform and college access with groups like Make the Road NJ.

As a bilingual, Gen Z professional, she enjoys bringing together diverse voices to build inclusive, community-centered policy. Gretel believes that serving others is the highest form of leadership and that lifting others as one climbs is essential to lead the next chapter of our democracy.

In her spare time, she enjoys discovering coffee shops, visiting museums, and taking pictures of her cats Murphy and Leyla.