ITS proudly recognizes Danielle Rodenhauser as the January 2024 Employee of the Month and the UC Women Rock IT Awardee for UC Riverside!

Danielle, Associate Director of Reporting and Analytics, was nominated by Mike Kennedy for exemplifying remarkable leadership and change management skills in driving the campus adoption of Looker, a data analytics platform and self-service reporting tool that helps users explore and share real-time analytics.

Mike Kennedy, Deputy Chief Information Officer, described Danielle as a “paragon of teamwork and collaboration.” To bolster campus data management, she led Looker Governance meetings with Business & Financial Services (BFS), coordinated efforts across various departments including the School of Medicine (SOM) and Research and Economic Development (RED), and conducted tailored meetings with the SOM Data team and Facilities on FAMIS reporting.

Each of these efforts serve as a testament to her ability to work harmoniously with diverse teams and foster a collaborative environment. 

“[Danielle’s] leadership style not only focuses on project success but also encourages her team members to enhance their knowledge and build robust relationships across the campus,” Mike said. “Her ability to prioritize incidents and new requests related to Impact23 demonstrates her commitment to ensuring that the customers' requirements are not just met but exceeded, ensuring a seamless and successful integration of the Looker platform.”

Despite being faced with the urgency and difficulty associated with a campus-wide launch of a robust and scalable data management platform, Danielle leveraged her technical prowess and her proactive engagement with stakeholders to deliver a streamlined data management solution for UCR. 

Mike also emphasized the important role that Danielle’s technical expertise played in driving the campus adoption of Looker:

“Danielle consistently delivers effective results through her strategic approach and meticulous planning. [Her] technical innovation shines through her work with the Looker platform. She has not only mastered this technology but has also been pivotal in its implementation and enhancement on our campus.

Her ability to navigate complex technical challenges and provide innovative solutions is remarkable. Her forward-thinking approach in adopting and integrating new technologies demonstrates her commitment to keeping our campus at the forefront of technological advancements.”

Aside from her technical skills, Danielle also excels in promoting effective change management. As Mike shared in his nomination:

“Her leadership in the Looker platform's adoption is a prime example of her ability to manage change effectively. She ensures that all stakeholders are on board and adequately informed, facilitating smooth transitions. Her proactive communication and training sessions have been key in minimizing resistance and maximizing acceptance among users. Her approach not only ensures the successful implementation of new systems but also fosters a culture of adaptability and continuous improvement.”

Danielle’s contributions in data management not only advance UCR’s commitment to excellence, they also advance the standing of women in IT and inspire other women to pursue their ambitions and make noteworthy breakthroughs in their fields.   

Congratulations, Danielle, on your accomplishments! ITS values your contributions highly.

Do you have colleagues who deserve recognition for their hard work and dedication? Nominate them for one of ITS’ Employee Recognition Programs!

Staff members can be nominated for Employee of the Month or Team of the Quarter. Use our form to submit your nomination for the next Employee of the Month.