Juan Alejandro Olarte-Cortes
Global Human Development Student
Juan Alejandro Olarte-Cortes was born and raised in Panama City, Panama, and is a proud Asian Latino with Filipino roots. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and International Relations from Tulane University in Louisiana.
After completing his undergraduate studies, Juan worked as a news producer in CNN and CNN en Español’s DC bureau, where he covered both domestic and international breaking news. Before joining the Global Human Development program, Juan served as a Program Associate at the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), where he focused on sustainable development initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean. At PADF, he played a key role in security sector strengthening projects in Panama and the Dominican Republic.
Juan’s academic and professional interests are centered around international development. He is passionate about weaving storytelling into his work, using compelling narratives to advocate for policies that create positive social impact. During his time in the GHD program, he hopes to learn how to integrate data into storytelling, using both to inform and drive impactful policy decisions.
Outside of his professional life, Juan enjoys dancing, singing, collecting vinyl records, and exploring the history of Latin American boleros and OPM (Original Pilipino Music). He finds joy in blending his cultural heritage with his love for music.