Juan Jose Gonzalez is a public policy leader with experience spanning government, nonprofit management, and national consulting. He most recently served as a Director at Education Strategy Group, where he led projects focused on career readiness, labor market alignment, and the design of high-quality college and career pathway systems. He previously served as Managing Director of Pathways and Operations for Education Systems Center at Northern Illinois University, leading statewide efforts to expand dual credit, career pathways, and implementation of the Illinois Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. Prior to that, he was the Director of Youth and Education Policy in the Chicago Mayor’s Office under Mayor Rahm Emanuel, managing initiatives across K–12 education, college access, and youth employment.

Juan Jose began his career as an immigration rights organizer for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, where he mobilized immigrant communities to engage in civic advocacy at the state and federal levels. He later served as Chicago Director for Stand for Children Illinois, leading regional policy and parent engagement efforts for public school students.

Juan Jose holds a B.A. from Princeton University and a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Chicago. He is an active community member, former student mentor, and elected parent representative on a Local School Council in Chicago.