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Bio
An international problem-solver and C-level executive, Juan has 25 years of leadership experience in organizations with budgets up to $28 billion in the U.S., Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. His diverse experience includes time as Press Secretary for Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, managing a $20 million grantmaking portfolio for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, 15 years as a journalist and launching three companies. He is the producer and host of the upcoming podcast series, "Words Matter."
Upon returning to New York City, Juan led the Communications and Policy departments at GLSEN, the nation's leading education organization focused on ensuring safe and affirming schools for all students. In addition to working with Congress and the Obama Administration, Juan led an overhaul of the GLSEN brand, including partnerships with Google, YouTube, Facebook, Target, Wells Fargo, Disney/ABC, Levi’s, the NBA/WNBA, Burt’s Bees and Teleflora.
At the Gates Foundation, Juan designed and managed a portfolio of national grantees focused on improving public K-12 and postsecondary education. He led all message research projects with teachers and parents, including all Teacher Voice efforts, and worked closely with four large public school districts.
With Governor Patrick, Juan was the lead spokesperson for the Administration, counseled the Governor on all crisis and media issues, and designed and executed the communications strategy for the $4 billion Massachusetts Works jobs initiative that put 20,000 residents back to work across the state. While at the Executive Office of Health & Human Services, Juan managed communication efforts for 17 state agencies and the implementation of health care reform, the precursor to the Affordable Care Act.
A proud graduate of Clarkson University, Juan serves on both the Alumni Association’s National Executive Board and the Business Advisory Council of the Reh School of Business. When he is not working on issues that improve the lives of the people and communities he loves, you can find Juan running full and half marathons, and basking in his love of pigeons.