Carl Rodrigues, a dynamic leader in the fields of real estate and economic development, will be Vanderbilt University's first vice chancellor for real estate, facilities and development, Chancellor Daniel Diermeier announced today. He will begin his tenure on a part-time basis on Sept. 1 and transition to a full-time role beginning Nov. 1.
"As Vanderbilt builds the model for the great university of the 21st century, operational excellence and the strategic and effective use of our campus resources will be more vital than ever," Diermeier said. "With his deep expertise in public-private partnerships, commercial development and urban planning, Carl Rodrigues is a world-class leader and an innovative and transformative developer. It is a pleasure to welcome him to Vanderbilt."
This role will be crucial in strategically managing growth, optimizing campus resources and ensuring that infrastructure supports Vanderbilt's evolving academic and research needs and its vision to become the world's best-run university.
Rodrigues is charged with spearheading major on- and off-campus initiatives, investments and projects to accommodate Vanderbilt's needs, growth and role in its communities. He will lead the development and implementation of the campus master plan while working to redevelop underutilized university real estate assets. He will oversee the university's physical development activities, such as capital projects, development and strategic acquisitions, and lead the maintenance and operations teams for Vanderbilt's 340-acre campus in Nashville and approximately 8 million square feet of building space.
Vanderbilt's Real Estate, Planning, Design and Construction team and Facilities team will report to Rodrigues starting Nov. 1.
"I am honored to take on this role and look forward to working as a collaborative partner to steward our existing facilities and grounds and also shape the future of Vanderbilt's campus," Rodrigues said. "By strategically developing and reimagining our existing and future real estate assets, we can unlock new opportunities for research and innovation, and we can build a dynamic environment that meets the needs of our community today while positioning Vanderbilt as a destination for the world's leading faculty, researchers and students. Together, we will create a campus that truly embodies the university's bold motto: dare to grow."
Rodrigues has extensive experience in real estate and economic development, most recently as CEO of the Harvard Allston Land Company, a subsidiary of Harvard University responsible for advancing the development of the university's transformative Enterprise Research Campus. The ERC is envisioned as a 36-acre innovation district near Harvard's main campus, strategically positioned within the Greater Boston biomedical and research ecosystem. The first phase of the project includes new infrastructure, streets and open space to support an initial 900,000-square-foot mixed-use development of office and lab space, residential units, a hotel and conference center, and green space. One of the largest development projects in Boston, the $1.5 billion ERC will drive innovation and economic growth in the region.
Through strategic partnerships with private sector commercial developers, Rodrigues has focused on developing the ERC into a vibrant district that brings together partners and collaborators from across greater Boston and beyond. His strategic vision has been instrumental in negotiating ground leases, supervising infrastructure construction and coordinating with public sector partners, thus reflecting his strong ability to navigate complex projects while ensuring alignment with university goals and community interests.
Bringing this vision and experience to Nashville, Rodrigues will play a key role in advancing Vanderbilt's ambitious plans to strengthen its innovation ecosystem and spark economic development in the region and beyond. His leadership is poised to accelerate partnerships that enhance research, entrepreneurship and social impact.
In addition to his work with the Harvard Allston Land Company, Rodrigues held significant positions with the City of New York, where he served as chief operating officer for the Economic Development Corp. and chief of staff for the deputy mayor for housing and economic development. During his tenure with the city, he was committed to increasing the tax base and fostering economic opportunities for all New Yorkers. He managed a 60 million-square-foot portfolio as chief operating officer and developed a long-term strategy with the mayor and deputy mayor across 35 agencies and departments with a comprehensive $5 billion annual budget as chief of staff. His efforts culminated in the delivery of 200,000 units of affordable housing within eight years.
Before working for the city, Rodrigues was involved in residential and office acquisitions in Los Angeles as the vice president of acquisitions and development at LOF Partners, a real estate development company and builder of single-family, multifamily and low- to mid-rise modular housing. He also worked in prime brokerage at Goldman Sachs for several years.
Rodrigues' academic credentials underscore his professional accomplishments. He is a lecturer at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, earned an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management, and B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from Tufts University. His board memberships with organizations such as Medicines for Humanity and the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. further highlight his dedication to community and urban development.
