Juan Alejandro Olarte-Cortes

Juan Alejandro Olarte-Cortes is a second-year candidate in Georgetown University’s Global Human Development program, where he focuses on labor, livelihoods, and inclusive economic development. Originally from Panama City, Panama, Juan is a proud Asian Latino with Filipino roots. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and International Relations from Tulane University.

Before joining Georgetown, Juan worked as a news producer at CNN and CNN en Español’s Washington, DC bureau, covering major domestic and international news. He later served as a Program Associate at the Pan American Development Foundation, supporting the implementation of development programs in Latin America and the Caribbean, including security sector strengthening initiatives in Panama and the Dominican Republic. Most recently, Juan interned with Canada’s International Development Research Centre in Thailand, where he supported policy engagement and regional programming with Southeast Asian researchers and civil society practitioners navigating complex development challenges.

At Georgetown, Juan is developing expertise in quantitative and qualitative analysis, policy research, and program evaluation. His academic and professional interests center on improving employment opportunities, livelihoods, and social protection, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean. He is especially interested in how governments and development organizations can design policies that address labor market inequalities and expand access to economic opportunity. Drawing on his experience in journalism and program implementation, Juan brings strong research, communication, and cross-cultural coordination skills to his work.

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 is also an avid writer and is working on a historical fiction novel.

Summer internship

This summer, I interned with Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) supporting their portfolio in Bangkok, Thailand. I supported IDRC’s work with researchers and development practitioners across Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on the Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar (K4DM) initiative. My work included policy research, communications, stakeholder engagement, and support for activities bringing together K4DM fellows and partners. A highlight of the summer was helping organize a dialogue on sustainable development and environmental governance in Southeast Asia. The experience gave me the opportunity to engage with researchers and civil society practitioners working on complex development challenges in Myanmar and the wider region. It also provided insight into how an international development organization supports locally led research, facilitates policy dialogue, and builds relationships across different institutional contexts. This internship strengthened my skills in policy research, program coordination, and stakeholder engagement while broadening my understanding of inclusive development in Southeast Asia.