Executive Director, Planned Giving

University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) has named Ervin Rodriguez as executive director of planned giving, effective February 2, 2026. Rodriguez brings more than a decade of experience in gift planning and an in-depth understanding of complex philanthropic strategies within large, mission-driven institutions. Most recently, he served as senior executive director of planned giving at City of Hope, where he led planned giving efforts across Orange County and San Diego, partnered closely with major and principal gift colleagues, and worked extensively with professional advisors.

In his role, Rodriguez will lead UC Irvine’s planned giving program within University Advancement & Alumni Relations, serving as a strategic gift planning partner to all schools and units. He will provide leadership and technical guidance on complex outright and deferred gifts and help position the planned giving team for sustained growth and long-term philanthropic impact.

Prior to City of Hope, Rodriguez spent several years at UCLA, where he advanced from gift planning coordinator to director of gift planning. As part of UCLA’s centralized gift planning team, he helped support a program raising $75–$85 million annually in planned gifts, partnered across schools and units on blended and complex gifts, and drafted and executed sophisticated gift agreements, illustrations, and estate planning language. 

Rodriguez holds a bachelor of arts degree in film and media studies from the University of California, Irvine and is a designated Certified Specialist in Planned Giving (CSPG).

Rachel Ellenport led this search with Maureen Bogdan and Megan Gorman.