As executive director at Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, Rose Rougeau leads the external affairs division. She oversees external communication, development and fundraising, community engagement, public programs and special projects.

Prior to joining Rice, Rose held executive roles including devising strategy on regulatory issues in the energy and chemical sectors for a Fortune 500 firm and a high-profile Supreme Court case. She has been invited to teach strategy at a top military institution. In addition, she is a lecturer at the University of Houston’s Valenti School of Communication.

Rose has served as a board director for area nonprofits and currently serves on the Texas Business Hall of Fame’s executive committee.

A native Houstonian, she began her career in television news at the ABC affiliate in Oklahoma City and later at Houston’s KTRK-TV (ABC-13). She holds dual bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree.

Rose joined the Kinder Institute in November 2017 as its inaugural director of communication.

You can follow Rose on X: @iamRoseRougeau