Juan Carlos Cruz

Chile

Communications executive and global advocate for survivors of clerical abuse

Juan Carlos Cruz was born in Santiago, Chile, where he began his career as a journalist after earning his degree in Journalism and Communications. He later became a citizen of the United States, where he lived for 20 years before recently relocating to Madrid, Spain.

Juan Carlos has served as Chief Communications Officer and Global Head of Public Affairs and Sustainability for several multinational companies. He has held executive leadership roles in communications, brand management, sustainability, and public affairs at prominent organizations, including Livent, DuPont, Banco Popular, and United Airlines.

Since the war in Ukraine began, Juan Carlos has been working with the Fundación del Convent de Santa Clara led by Sister Lucía Caram, OP, going to Ukraine to deliver humanitarian aid and evacuating the wounded and sick men, women, and children to safety in Spain, where they can receive medical treatment.

He is the author of two books: El Fin de la Inocencia (Penguin Random House, 2015) and Abuso y Poder (Penguin Random House, 2020). In 2015, he was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his humanitarian efforts worldwide.

In 2010, alongside J. Hamilton, J.A. Murillo and J.P. Hermosilla, he co-founded “Fundación para la Confianza,” a foundation dedicated to supporting survivors and preventing abuse. He also helped establish “Centro CUIDA,” the first research center for studying and investigating abuse in society, at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile in 2018.

In 2021, Pope Francis appointed him as a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.