Aslyne Rodriguez joined the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) in April of 2020 as the Director of Government Affairs with the goal of ensuring that some of Central Ohio’s most vulnerable residents have a voice in state government. In 2023, Rodriguez was promoted to Senior Director of Regional Strategic Partnerships. In this capacity, she negotiates and establishes new strategic partnerships for COTA. These partnerships intend to grow COTA’s ridership and better its system.
Rodriguez came to COTA with a background in many areas, from education to entrepreneurism. She has worked tirelessly to promote access and equity for others through innovative initiatives and partnerships across all industries. Rodriguez founded EmpowerBus in 2017 with the mission to provide upward mobility for all by delivering dignified, reliable, and on-time transportation. She has worked as an educator through Teach For America, an executive director for an after-school program for at-risk youth and the COO for a women’s leadership development organization.
An Ohio native, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science from Ohio University and a Master of Science in early childhood education at Pace University.
Her notable work garnered her the “40 Under 40 in Transportation” award from Mass Transit in 2019 and the “40 Under 40” award from Columbus Business First in 2020.
