Raquel A. Rodriguez

CHAIR, FLORIDA OFFICES, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, Miami

Rodriguez has more than 35 years of experience in law, business and government and is chair of Ingersoll & Rooney’s Florida offices. In her role, she represents a variety of clients, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to nonprofits. From 2002 to 2007, she was general counsel to former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. Rodriguez recently joined the board of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. She is a member of the Florida Council of 100 and serves on the board of directors of BioFlorida.

EDUCATION: University of Miami (BA, JD)

IF I WERE GOVERNOR: I would build on the 2024 Live Healthy legislation and take it to the next logical step. My plan would seek to expand in-demand specialties to reduce patient wait times for appointments, propose medical school, residency and board standards to prepare doctors to more quickly and accurately diagnose patients, and develop incentives for medical systems and independent practices to adopt platforms that improve sharing full access to patient records in real time.

MENTOR: I consider my parents my greatest mentors. Having lost everything as a result of the Communist revolution in Cuba, they instilled in me two of the foundations upon which my life is based. These are to pursue knowledge and act with integrity. No dictator can take these. They also stressed faith, respect for others and kindness to all. I try to live up to these ideals.

INSPIRING FLORIDIAN: I am inspired by former Gov. Jeb Bush, who exemplifies true leadership. He stood by his principles but was always willing to engage with those who disagreed. He led with integrity, humor and genuine gratitude. Despite political differences, he was respectful to all. Unique among politicians, he handed out his personal email and personally responded to anyone who took time to write.