Rodrigo Mahs

Rodrigo Mahs is the Executive Vice President of Growth & Innovation at Catalight, where he leverages over 20 years of international experience to develop and scale large-scale global solutions. Known for his ability to connect with leaders across every sector — from CEOs and entrepreneurs to scientists and government officials — he has a reputation for architecting high-impact initiatives that focus on strategy, innovation and growth.

His extensive global experience spans over 25 countries and includes leading strategies for a remarkable roster of organizations such as Apple, The Coca-Cola Company, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Amazon, UCLA Health and The Walt Disney Company. His expertise crosses diverse fields, including technology, healthcare, corporate innovation, economic development and venture capital.

Before his role at Catalight, Rodrigo was the Assistant Dean of External Relations & Engagement at the University of California, Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business. As a Chief Strategist, he was responsible for all external functions, including advancement, career services and strategic partnerships and oversaw all faculty-led research centers. His career also includes senior executive roles at 500 Global, Imagining Human, UCLA Anderson School of Management and the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL).

Rodrigo is trilingual in English, Spanish and Portuguese, a skill that reflects his deep international expertise.