GET TO KNOW JUAN
A NEW GENERATION
BLUE COLLAR ROOTS
Juan Mendoza is a dynamic leader of Mexican descent, born to immigrant parents and raised in South Bend, Indiana. Growing up in a low-income household, Juan was inspired by the tireless work ethic of his parents. At times, his mother held three jobs simultaneously, while his father, a dedicated blue-collar worker, spent over 30 years working at a glass manufacturing plant. Their example of hard work and resilience instilled in Juan a deep drive to succeed and give back to his community.
Juan himself began working at the young age of 13, picking corn in the Indiana fields. As a high school student, he worked as a line cook at Dairy Queen. During his summer breaks in college, Juan took on a variety of jobs, including working as a houseman at a hotel, on the assembly line at a warehouse, and as a restaurant server.
A THRIVING CAREER
After earning his degree from Indiana University, Juan moved to Atlanta in 2014 to pursue his career. He started at Ameris Bank as a Teller and worked his way up to become a Vice President of Business Banking. His journey within the company has been marked by significant achievements, including being nominated for the prestigious Ameris Bank Executive Mentorship program in 2021, where he was mentored by the bank’s Chief Information Officer. In 2023, Juan graduated from the Georgia Banking School, a three-year accredited executive banking program offered by the University of Georgia and the Georgia Bankers Association.
ADVOCACY
Outside of his professional career, Juan has dedicated himself to advocating for the under-resourced and serving the Atlanta community. Since 2020, he has served as President of the Old Fourth Ward Business Association, where his leadership has been widely recognized. As the Entrepreneur Development Chair for Hispanic Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs (HYPE), he co-founded the HYPE Think Tank, a five-month accelerator program that provides education and grants to Latino-owned businesses led by young entrepreneurs aged 21-30. Juan also played a critical role in establishing the Estamos Aquí Fiesta, the first Latino cultural festival in the Old Fourth Ward.
Juan’s dedication to community advocacy has earned him numerous accolades. In 2024, he was honored as the Young Professional Leader of the Year by the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and was recognized in the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce's prestigious 35 Under 35 class. He is an active member of the Latinx Alliance, a coalition of Latino leaders in Metro Atlanta working to address the challenges of the Latino community across Georgia. Juan also helps train civic leaders through this platform, equipping them to better advocate for their communities.
Additionally, Juan is currently participating in the Partnership for Southern Equity’s Leadership Development program, Development Watch Academy. He is a member of the NPU-M Executive Committee and serves as a Board Member for the Old Fourth Ward Neighborhood Association. Juan resides in Grant Park, where he continues to balance his career with his unwavering commitment to advocating for the communities of Atlanta.
MISSION STATEMENT
Equality Meets Opportunity
Atlanta is a city with unlimited potential, but locked in a maze of stalled projects and record income inequality amongst its people. I'm running to be a new voice for the next generation of Atlantans, determined to see this city and its citizens reach new heights.