CATEGORY: Alumni, Blog, Teachers and Leaders
Isabella Senzamici • Feb 24, 2026
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Ashley Rodriguez is the Executive Assistant to Achievement First Connecticut's Regional Executive Director Amy D'Angelo. She is also an alumnus of the second graduating class of Amistad Academy.
Welcome back to AF! Let’s start with understanding your career journey to get here.
I got my bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies and went to work for a law firm with the goal of eventually becoming a lawyer. But that experience helped me realize that a legal career was not what I wanted. So I transitioned from law to healthcare and became the executive assistant to the Chief of Geriatrics at Yale School of Medicine. I quickly found myself more drawn to the educational aspect of working at a medical school. And once it became clear there were limited opportunities for advancement, I started looking and was so excited to see this new position pop up.
Okay, so you were an executive assistant to a leader of a medical school and now the regional ED of AF. Just between us, who has the harder job?
Oh that’s not even close. Amy’s job is harder. I’m in charge of her schedule, and it is scary. She is constantly in meetings, and constantly traveling around the state.
Let’s go back to the beginning. Tell me about your experience as an AF student.
I started at Amistad Middle School in 2003 when it was the only school in the AF network and the principal was Dacia Toll. My mom was active in the Parent Leadership Council (PLC), and we assisted with lobbying in Hartford to open the high school. We were a very tight class. I’m still in touch with many of my classmates and teachers. And at least one of them also works at AF. Shout out to my friend Jahki Manley who is a Dean at Hartford High School.
I applied to 22 schools and got accepted to all but one (waitlisted at Yale!). I chose to attend UConn. My first year was a huge culture shock for me due to the large class sizes. I started as a first-semester sophomore because I took so many college-level and AP classes at Amistad. Amistad continued to support me through college, including providing us gift cards to buy books and supplies. Unfortunately, in my second year, I had to drop out because I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. During this difficult period of my life, the Amistad community showed significant support and helped me get through it.
You started at AF in December. What has this job been like for you so far?
Working for Amy is completely different from my previous role despite having the same title. Even though I’m her assistant, she treats me as an equal. She’s very invested in my professional growth. She told me she will be disappointed if I’m still in this role in three years.
Well….where do you hope to be in 3 years?
I hope to still be at AF! I just completed my Master’s in Emergency Management. I want to be able to use this degree to serve as a problem solver and put out fires.
On weekends, when you are not working to help Amy navigate her “scary” schedule, what are you doing?
I used to be able to sleep in, but this job has me getting up so early so I can’t do that anymore! I do have a side hustle doing freelance makeup for events like wedding parties and sweet sixteens, specializing in a "soft glam” or a “smokey eye" look. In my relaxing time, my favorite hobby is…shopping on Amazon!
What were your most recent purchases?
Dog food for my Shih Tzu named Lucas and pajamas for an upcoming "Galentine's” Party.
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