Indianapolis – Lumina Foundation for Education announced today the appointment of Juan (Kiko) Suarez as senior vice president for external affairs effective Jan. 26, 2009. In this position, Suarez will direct Lumina’s overall strategic communication, convenings, evaluation and external affairs programs.
“The depth and breadth of his skill set, combined with his hands-on management style and visionary thinking, will provide strong leadership with our external affairs staff,” said Jamie Merisotis, Lumina’s president and chief executive officer. “With his passion for excellence, strong work ethic and multilingual skills, Suarez brings a keen business and communication repertoire to the Lumina team.”
Most recently, Suarez served as a consultant and executive for several companies including NextPhase Wireless and CEMEX, where he focused on external affairs, corporate communications and public affairs. His extensive background in corporate communications also includes more than a decade at DuPont, where he rose from the ranks of the online/information technology team to various positions including serving as global online leader. Ultimately, he led corporate marketing and communications for all of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Suarez earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Oviedo (Spain), where he also earned secondary degrees in management of telecommunications and new media. He earned a master’s and executive MBA from Oxford International University and Theseus Business School (France), respectively.
Through his work, Suarez has often been asked to represent his employers before governments and organizations such as the United Nations, European Union and the Inter-American Development Bank. He has also been a guest lecturer at higher education institutions such as the University of Lausanne (Switzerland), the Monterrey (Mexico) Institute of Technology and Higher Education, and the Universidad de Oviedo.
About Lumina Foundation
Lumina Foundation for Education, an Indianapolis-based private foundation, strives to help people achieve their potential by expanding access to and success in education beyond high school. Through grants for research, innovation, communication and evaluation, as well as policy education and leadership development, Lumina Foundation addresses issues that affect access and educational attainment among all students, particularly underserved student groups such as minorities, first-generation college-goers, students from low-income families and working adults. The Foundation bases its mission on the belief that postsecondary education remains one of the most beneficial investments that individuals can make in themselves and that a society can make in its people.
For more information, contact Dianna L. Boyce, Communication Associate, at 317.951.5116.
