Michael Rodriguez is a seasoned HR leader with a wealth of experience spanning over 25 years in human resources management, employee relations, organizational development, and DEI strategy. He currently serves as the Manager, People Operations / HR Liaison in the School of Science & Engineering.  During his time with Tulane, he has made a significant impact by developing training programs, driving process improvements, and offering valuable insights into employee relations and performance management. Michael’s ability to deliver innovative People solutions is evident in his success in saving the university significant time and costs through his work on performance evaluation programs and exit interview data.

In addition to his role at Tulane University, Michael is the Founder and Managing Consultant at Peregrine Group, where he provides HR advisory services to executive teams, front-line managers, and employees. His expertise includes embedding DEI strategies into organizations, improving employee experiences, and enhancing workforce solutions.

Before his current roles, Michael worked at Unilever as an HR Business Partner, where he led initiatives in performance management, employee relations, and compensation. He successfully partnered with leadership to drive diversity and inclusion strategies and played a key role in tracking talent trends and advising on strategic HR decisions. Additionally, Michael has held significant roles at CenturyLink and IBM, where he supported global HR initiatives, employee engagement, and organizational development.

Michael holds a Master’s in Social-Organizational Psychology from Columbia University, a Bachelor's in Psychology from Rutgers University, and is currently pursuing an MBA from Tulane University. He is a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and a Certified Leadership & Resilience Coach, furtherdemonstrating his commitment to continuous professional growth.

Known for his pragmatic approach and strategic thinking, Michael is a trusted HR leader who excels in building strong relationships, driving business results, and fostering organizational growth.

Certifications

• Certified Leadership & Resilience Coach

• Senior Professional Human Resources

Organizations

• Member: Society for Human Resources

• Member: La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda, Fraternity, Inc.

Recent Service Roles

2024 – 2025

• Mentor: My Brothers Keeper Program

• Program Information:  Via the  Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA), the My Brother's KeeperProgram is dedicated to empowering BIPOC male students both undergraduate and graduate at Tulane University through a comprehensive approach to their development. One key aspect of the program is mentorship, where we connect these students with dedicated mentors who provide invaluable guidance, support, and encouragement throughout their academic journey. 

• The program also prioritizes academic excellence by offering a range of resources, including tutoring and study groups, to help students excel in their coursework. Beyond academics, MBK is committed to fostering personal growth, providing opportunities for personal development, leadership training, and character-building. Moreover, MBK aims to create a sense of belonging by cultivating a supportive and inclusive community that celebrates diversity and promotes cultural understanding. Lastly, MBK actively encourages civic engagement, empowering ourstudents to participate in their communities and address social issues, making a positive impact on society as a whole.

Jeanette Weiland currently serves as the Chief Business Officer of Tulane University’s School of Science & Engineering.  Prior to this role, Jeanette was Investment Director for the University’s first venture capital fund, Tulane Ventures, and Assistant Vice President for Industry & Community Partnerships at the Tulane University Innovation Institute. 

Prior to joining Tulane, Jeanette worked as the Senior Vice President of Bio, Innovation, & Special Projects for the New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA) – a public-private 501c3 economic development organization partner to the City of New Orleans.  In this role, she reported to the CEO and was responsible for managing the organization’s business development and marketing teams. In 2021, Weiland led internal and external collaborative teams to win two U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants totaling approximately $2m.  Before entering the world of economic development, Weiland served as the Financial Operations Manager forOchsner Health’s retail division, where she created strategic plans and managed budgets, projections, productivity dashboards, and built pro formas for numerous business divisions responsible for generating over $167M in annual gross revenue.  In addition to leading cross-functional teams for Retail M&A activity, Weiland translated complex financial data into relatable platforms such as infographics, reports, and presentations that provided crucial yet easily understood information for system leadership.

Before joining Ochsner Health, Weiland served as the Executive Vice President of CIC Wealth – a privately-owned, independent wealth management firm with several offices located in the greater Washington, D.C. area.  As a team, the firm was responsible for managing over $400M of client assets.  Weiland was a Registered Representative (Series 7 & Series 66) and was awarded a Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist (CRPS®) designation from the College forFinancial Planning.  She sold her share of the practice to her DC-based partners in 2014 when her first child was born in New Orleans, LA.  Prior to CIC Wealth, Weiland worked with the wealth management teams at Capital One Bank and UBS Financial Services in downtown New Orleans.

Jeanette is a graduate of the 2022 Leadership Louisiana class, produced by Leaders For A Better Louisiana and is the current chairperson for Louisiana BIO, a 501c6 state chapter of the national trade organization, Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO).  In her role as chairperson, Weiland was instrumental in encouraging and supporting the creation of the Louisiana legislature’s first STEM Innovation Caucus.  The STEM Innovation Caucus is comprised of a diverse group of Louisiana legislators from around the state who support the growth of innovation industries, local companies, and the quality jobs created in Louisiana that add to the tax base and attract and retain talent.  During the 2022 legislative session, the Caucus successfully authored and passed three bills aimed at enhancing the retention, growth, and attraction of STEM/Innovation entrepreneurs (HB786, HB796, and SB175).

Ms. Weiland currently serves as a board member for KIDsmART, a volunteer board member for Xplore Federal Credit Union, and recently released her third children’s book, Alligator Stew.  She graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in International Trade and Finance and received both her Master’s of Arts in Arts Administration and Master’s of Business Administration degrees from the University of New Orleans.  She resides with her family in New Orleans, Louisiana and enjoys working alongside the talented faculty, staff, and students who make Tulane’s School of Science & Engineering such an innovative and impactful place.