Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Juan brings over a decade of experience in peacebuilding, leadership and community engagement across Latin America and the United States. He has served with organizations such as Justapaz (in Colombia), Mennonite Central Committee, and Goshen College, and has been deeply involved in intercultural ministry, advocacy, and partnership development. Juan is bilingual in Spanish and English and brings a strong Anabaptist foundation to his work.
From 2011 to 2013, he participated in Mennonite Central Committee’s (MCC) Seed program in Colombia, where he collaborated with Mennonite Brethren churches and grassroots nonprofits to lead workshops on conflict resolution, nonviolence, and Anabaptist history. His peacebuilding work continued at Justapaz, the Peace and Justice agency of the Mennonite Church in Colombia in different capacities.
In 2015 Juan joined MCC’s United Nations Office in New York City (2015–2016), where he served as an International Volunteer Exchange Program participant and Mennonite World Conference intern, advocating for issues such as mining safety, water quality, and peace processes in Colombia.
Most recently, Juan served as Peace and Justice Coordinator for MCC Great Lakes, where he engaged in immigration-related initiatives among other strategic priorities. His subsequent role as Student Success Program Coordinator at Goshen College further honed his skills in working with diverse communities.