Dr. Angee Gonzalez Rodriguez, DHS, MLS
Consultant, Voice Up
Doctor of Human Services; 30+ years of leadership across healthcare, nonprofit, ministry, and public service.
Where She Started
Dr. Angee Gonzalez Rodriguez was a teen mom of three who started as a nurse's aide while "starting, stopping, starting, stopping" on her GED — "then I finally, finally did it." She raised her kids through surgical technology and phlebotomy, single the entire time, making "$100 too much" a month to qualify for any assistance.
Her Turn Came
Once her kids turned 18 she went back to school — a bachelor's in criminal justice, a master's in law (criminal law), then her doctorate in human services (leadership and management). She rose from phlebotomy supervisor to laboratory research manager at a national laboratory services company, a healthcare company, and a clinical research company. Late was not too late.
Turning Pain Into a Platform
A survivor of domestic violence, Dr. Angee founded a 501(c)(4) nonprofit for domestic violence and child abuse survivors and a 501(c)(3) foundation for education and tutoring — and now leads a political action committee. She served as the elected committeeperson of her Chicago ward (2019–2023), coordinating 150,000+ food and essential-supply boxes during the COVID pandemic.
Out in the Community
During COVID she was out in the community passing out food, masks, and hand sanitizers — and got sick three or four times. "And I didn't care... because people needed help." That is who she is: the person who shows up when showing up costs something.
When Nobody Hands You the Job
After losing her job she hit the "overqualified" wall — 300+ applications, "you're overqualified." So she built her own door. Today she is an adjunct professor at National Louis University, a substitute teacher, and runs her own consulting firm. When nobody hands you the job, hand it to yourself.
Author and Minister
Dr. Angee is the author of five books: "When Survival Meets Grace: A Faith-Based Guide to Healing After Abuse," "Echoes of Strength: Triumphs Amidst Trials," and three children's biblical coloring/activity books (Noah's Ark, Adam & Eve, Jonah and the Big Fish) — and is now writing "Deborah the Judge." She is an ordained Christian minister, bilingual in English and Spanish, and based in Chicago, Illinois.
The Big Goal
Her doctoral capstone was a feasibility study for a mobile mental health unit serving the homeless in the Midwest. Her big goal is a mobile mental health bus through her nonprofit — bringing care to the people who cannot come to it. The mission keeps moving forward.
Her Philosophy
Lived experience is a credential — "they just need somebody who has lived it and gone through it to say, 'Hey, you could do it. Look at me. I did it.'"
On finding Voice Up — "You're not invisible anymore. There's a purpose, and everybody has a purpose" — "are you knocking on my door?"
Her faith framing — "It's nothing but God."
— Dr. Angee Gonzalez Rodriguez
Seven Days, Dr. Angee's Way
A week drawn from 30 years of starting late, starting over, and turning pain into purpose. Each day has a short reflection and a small action step — no homework, no tests. Just show up.
Day 1 — Start Where You Are
Reflection: Dr. Angee started as a nurse's aide while working on her GED — "starting, stopping, starting, stopping" — until she finally, finally did it. She didn't wait until life was easy; she started where she was.
Action: Name one thing you've been "starting and stopping." Do 15 minutes of it today — just 15.
Day 2 — Raise Them While You Rise
Reflection: She raised three kids through surgical technology and phlebotomy, single the entire time, making "$100 too much" a month to qualify for any assistance. She rose while they rose.
Action: Tell someone you love one dream you're chasing — out loud, today.
Day 3 — Your Turn Will Come
Reflection: When her kids turned 18, Dr. Angee went back to school — bachelor's in criminal justice, master's in law, doctorate in human services. Late is not too late.
Action: Write down the degree, skill, or credential you've been putting off. Look up one real first step and put it on the calendar.
Day 4 — Turn Pain Into a Platform
Reflection: A survivor of domestic violence, Dr. Angee founded a 501(c)(4) nonprofit for domestic violence and child abuse survivors and a 501(c)(3) foundation for education and tutoring. Pain pointed somewhere.
Action: What hard thing have you lived through? Write one sentence about who your experience could help.
Day 5 — Show Up in the Crisis
Reflection: As her Chicago ward committeeperson during COVID, she coordinated 150,000+ food and essential-supply boxes — passing out food, masks, and hand sanitizers, getting sick three or four times: "and I didn't care... because people needed help."
Action: Do one small thing for your community today — a call, a donation, a favor. Show up somewhere.
Day 6 — Let "Overqualified" Be a Compliment
Reflection: After losing her job, she heard "you're overqualified" more than 300 times. So she built her own door — consulting firm, adjunct professor at National Louis University, substitute teacher. When nobody hands you the job, hand it to yourself.
Action: List three things your experience qualifies you for — then send one email or one application toward the boldest one.
Day 7 — Say "Look at Me, I Did It"
Reflection: Dr. Angee's credential is her lived experience: "they just need somebody who has lived it and gone through it to say, 'Hey, you could do it. Look at me. I did it.'" Now she lifts others as a consultant at Voice Up.
Action: Tell someone your story — the real one. Be the proof they need.