Getting to Know
Christian J. Rodarte,
Managing Director, Autobiography, LLC
Christian J. Rodarte, Chris, as some of us call him, builds community by serving it. That has been his motto throughout his life. From his early days as a Jesuit educated high school student focused on serving others to becoming a purpose-led professional and a successful entrepreneur, being intentional about his work, his partnerships, his
clients and his environment has been his guiding principle.
Five years ago, Chris made the courageous decision to follow in the family tradition and become an entrepreneur. He is currently the Founder & Managing Director of Autobiography, a dynamic communications consultancy with offices in Los Angeles and Miami. The company focuses on Social Impact, Marketing Communications, and Content; it aligns itself with brands who create, amplify and scale change. He knows that making social Impact part of the DNA of organizations is not only the sustainable way of doing business, but a decision all companies should make to stay relevant to their shareholders, clients and supporters.
He believes in doing everything with love. Love for humanity, love for love, love for human interaction and personal connection.
With his diverse and extensive expertise, he has advised and led engagement activities for public and private sector clients related to economic development, public-private partnerships, revenue generation for cities and clients, as well as equity and community benefits programs.
Chris encourages us to take a chance on us and trust our gut, but before going all in, he suggests we know why we want to take that leap of faith. And knowing his why has been his guiding principle in life, which at the most basic level, has been, continues to be and will forever be love.
Icebreaker Questions
I have many but losing my sister and dad a year apart from each other taught me life is too short to find happiness tomorrow. About two years ago my life was turned upside down in the blink of an eye. In the summer of 2018, my younger sister was diagnosed with Leukemia.
Specialists, expert oncologists described the road ahead and what the chances were. With the odds stacked against us she started an aggressive chemo protocol. Day-by-day, sometimes hour-by-hour, was the name of this game, one which required the utmost patience, understanding and empathy. My vibrant, sassy, free spirited 20-something sister was fighting for her life with so much grace. She spent four and a half months in the hospital, and I was privileged enough to be by her side each day, often taking shifts with other friends or family. She got to see me work while I helped her get around the room and take walks along the oncology floor where she had gotten to know other patients. Not a day went by that we wouldn’t hear the chilling sound of the code blue alarm often indicating someone was passing over – at that moment you pray that it’s never you. By November while she was in full remission from the cancer, her body, just as explained by the oncology team, had taken a beating. On November 13, 2018, I was finishing up my daytime shift with her before our dad came for the evening. As I was walking out, she said to me “don’t be late tomorrow and don’t forget my cherry Coke.” I laughed, told her that I loved her and went home. The following morning just before 7am, her oncologist called me to tell me she died. Her heart and lungs gave out and there was nothing else they could do. Frozen by the shock I then had to call my parents and tell them their child died. Everything was happening so fast, yet it felt like it was slow motion. It was a few weeks before we could lay her to rest. It’s now been over two years since she passed but those 4 plus months we spent together in the hospital taught me that in life you only ever have two choices – fear or love: will you lean into fear and be hardened, or will you lean into love and be softened? Take the risk today, find your happiness in you. We only get two choices in life – choose love or fear. Be in the arena and choose love, every single day. You’re worth it.
Don’t be afraid to be yourself, set boundaries and love yourself everyday and be kind to yourself. Don’t get fixated on the destination, enjoy the journey.
