Finding a leader who can actually balance the "people" side of things with the "numbers" side is kinda like searching for a needle in a haystack. Honestly, most folks in management either obsess over spreadsheets or spend all day in "vibes-based" meetings without ever looking at a budget. That's why when you look at someone like Rosshelle Munoz, a Program and Operations Manager known for bridging that gap, it’s worth paying attention.
Rosshelle isn't just another corporate title. She’s a native New Yorker who basically built her career on the idea that social impact and business efficiency don't have to be enemies.
The Baruch College Foundation
It all starts back at Baruch College. Rosshelle Munoz graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Operations Management. Now, most people hear "Operations Management" and think of factory lines or boring logistics software. But for her, it was different.
She was heavily influenced by her mother’s career as a social worker. That’s a pretty unique mix, right? You've got the hard-nosed business training from a top school like Baruch, but it’s being filtered through a lens of empathy and community service.
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This blend is what led her to organizations like the National Urban Fellows (NUF).
What a Program and Operations Manager Actually Does
Let's be real: "Program and Operations Manager" sounds like a lot of corporate word salad. You've probably seen a dozen LinkedIn profiles with similar titles. But in practice, especially in the nonprofit and public service sectors where Rosshelle has made her mark, it's the glue holding everything together.
Basically, while the CEO is out sharing the "big vision," the Program and Operations Manager is in the trenches making sure the electricity stays on and the mission actually gets funded.
- Finance Leadership: Rosshelle has explicitly stated her goal of becoming a financial leader and public servant. This means she isn't just "managing" programs; she's looking at the fiscal health of the entire operation.
- Recruitment and Growth: During her time at NUF, she worked closely with leadership to recruit fellows and mentors. This is a huge deal. If you don’t have the right people, your operations are basically just expensive clockwork.
- Process Efficiency: You’ve probably heard people complain about "red tape." An operations manager's whole job is to take that tape and find a way to cut through it so the organization can actually serve the people it's supposed to help.
From Horizons to National Urban Fellows
Before her more recent roles, she served as the Program Director for Horizons at Dedham Country Day School. This wasn't just a desk job. She was the point person for day-to-day operations.
Imagine managing the logistics of a program designed to bridge the opportunity gap for students. It's high stakes. You're dealing with parents, teachers, and external stakeholders all at once.
She also founded UWander, a service organization focused on global social impact. This matters because it shows she isn't just following a playbook—she’s creating her own. It’s one thing to manage an existing program; it's another thing entirely to build one from the ground up because you see a gap in the world that needs filling.
Why Rosshelle Munoz Stands Out in Business Operations
A lot of managers are great at the "operations" part—the logistics, the software, the scheduling. Others are great at the "program" part—the community outreach and the "why."
Rosshelle Munoz is interesting because she treats them as the same thing.
She’s part of a newer wave of leaders who recognize that neglected and underrepresented communities deserve the same level of operational excellence as a Fortune 500 company. Why shouldn't a nonprofit have the most efficient financial systems? Why shouldn't a community group have a world-class recruitment strategy?
The Intersection of Social Work and Finance
It’s easy to forget that at the end of the day, social work is an operation. It requires funding, it requires a plan, and it requires measurable results. Rosshelle’s approach takes the empathy of her mother's profession and backs it up with the BBA she earned.
It’s a "hard-headed but soft-hearted" approach that's becoming the gold standard for leadership in 2026.
Actionable Insights: Lessons from the Munoz Model
If you’re looking to level up your own career in operations or program management, there are a few things we can learn from her trajectory.
1. Don't pigeonhole your education.
Just because you study business doesn't mean you have to work in a cubicle farm. Look for ways to apply "hard" skills (like finance) to "soft" missions (like social justice).
2. Focus on the "Liaison" role.
Much of Rosshelle's success comes from her ability to work alongside CEOs and Managing Directors. Being the bridge between the vision and the execution is where the most value is created.
3. Build something of your own.
Even if it's a small side project or a volunteer organization like UWander, having "founder" experience teaches you things a textbook never will. It forces you to deal with every aspect of an operation simultaneously.
4. Efficiency is a form of advocacy.
Every dollar saved through better operations is a dollar that can go back into the community. If you care about a cause, the best thing you can do is make the organization running it more efficient.
The career of Rosshelle Munoz serves as a blueprint for anyone who wants to do more than just "manage." It's about taking those dry, technical skills and using them to drive real, tangible change for people who have been overlooked. Whether she's refining a budget or recruiting the next generation of public leaders, the focus is always on the impact.
If you want to follow in those footsteps, start by asking yourself: What skill do I have that could make a struggling organization run better? Then, go do it.