Rodas was born and raised in Ecuador. He received a master’s in government administration and political science from the University of Pennsylvania and earned his JD in Ecuador. In 2007, he founded the Ethos Foundation with the objective of combating poverty and promoting responsible government in Latin America.

Rodas was a key contributor in the development of the Ethos Poverty Index. The index enriches the study of poverty by using multidimensional measurements attuned to the reality of Latin America, and it contributes to the analysis and design of public policies based on a more comprehensive concept of poverty. In addition to considering conventional variables such as those related to income, education, and household characteristics, the index incorporates contextual aspects such as public health, institutions, economy, democracy, public safety, gender equality, and environment, all of which play an essential role in overcoming poverty. This new measurement is intended to obtain a clearer and more realistic panorama of poverty in Latin American countries. Additionally, it seeks to improve government decision-making aimed at eradicating this phenomenon that severely affects the region.

Rodas remains a member of the Ethos Foundation’s executive board and is currently researching poverty alleviation strategies in Ecuador and the relationship between poverty, democracy, and human rights, from a public policy perspective.