Danielle Ambrowiak Rodriguez

About Danielle Ambrowiak Rodriguez

I currently lead the Operations Division in the Department of Public Works at the City of Milwaukee. I am responsible for preparing strategic plans, creating vision and guiding my teams toward the future. I provide guidance and set the vision to support the day-to-day business and short/long-term goals of 4 work sections: Sanitation & Recycling, Forestry, Fleet, and Transportation (Parking & Streetcar). I also lead a small administration team that is responsible for all human resource activities, budget, financing and contracts as well as technology and project implementation. I am responsible for over 800 staff with a total combined budget of $125 million with over $130 million in revenue.As a confident and engaged leader with over 28 years of City government experience, I have successfully implemented effective change management and reorganization initiatives as well as management training and service excellence programs. I am committed to the vision and mission of my organization. I work well under pressure and pride myself in being a problem solver and negotiator. I thrive at leading my teams to find new and innovative ways of doing business. With the ability to pivot easily, I use my skill as a strategic thinker and intentional learner to collaboratively guide my teams. I believe in the ability of others and use my talent as a relationship builder and coach to realize high-level results in all projects and teams I lead. I am performance-driven and have a full appreciation and understanding of cost and risk management. My honesty and transparency lend themselves to being an authentic leader with a servant\'s heart and service mindset.Specialties: Project management, market analysis, process evaluation and alignment in large and small organizations, workflow analysis, budget planning, cost control, inter-departmental collaboration, policy analysis, public speaking, research, data analysis, staff training programs, risk mitigation, team building, strategic planning and team/organization management.

Experience

1. Contract Instructor

   University Of Wisconsin-Extension

   Oct 2025 — Present · Madison, WI, US

   Contracted by UW–Madison’s Division of Extension to teach two modules in the Certified Public Manager (CPM) program. Deliver instruction grounded in municipal operations leadership, with a focus on practical strategies, civic accountability, and intergovernmental coordination. Contribute to the professional development of mid-to-senior level government managers across Wisconsin.

Education

• Cardinal Stritch University

  BS-Management, Certificate in Project Management

  2010 — 2013

• Harvard Business School

  Young American Leaders Program (YALP)

• Cardinal Stritch University

  Master of Business Administration (MBA), Business Administration and Management, General

  2015 — 2016

Skills

• Customer Service
• Training
• Policy
• Strategy
• Research
• Microsoft Excel
• Government Procurement
• Human Resources
• Budgeting
• Microsoft Office
• Budget Management
• Public Relations
• Management
• Team Building
• Teamwork
• Team Management
• Fundraising
• Leadership
• Nonprofits
• Project Management
• Time Management
• Event Planning
• Social Media
• Public Speaking
• Change Management
• Interviews
• Project Planning
• Coaching
• Library
• Employee Training
• Budgets
• Culture Change
• Community Outreach
• Strategic Planning
• Public Policy
• Conflict Resolution
• Program Management
• Analysis