CRISTINA RODRIGUEZ
Cristina Rodriguez is the Co-Founder and President of Mind&Melody, a nonprofit that uses music as a tool for joy, dignity, and intergenerational connection among older adults with neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s. Cristina’s passion for the cause originated when she was 14, volunteering in a hospital and witnessing first-hand how music has the ability to transcend memory loss and age.
In the 10 years since its inception, Mind&Melody has delivered over 11,000 interactive sessions, helping thousands of older adults reconnect with identity and memory and instilling empathy, confidence, and purpose in youth with special needs. The organization now reaches more than 2,000 people annually across Florida, New York, and New Mexico.
Cristina continues to design creative, intergenerational solutions that meet urgent social needs, from isolation to economic opportunity, shaping a more connected and caring future. This innovative work has earned Mind&Melody national recognition, including AARP’s Connect & Thrive People’s Choice Award.
