Juan Carlos Andrade graduated from the University of Florida in 1986 with a bachelor’s degrees in journalism and political science.
During his time at UF, Andrade’s biggest takeaway from the university’s College of Journalism and Communications was learning how to write clearly and succinctly, which has served him well in his career.
As a Colombian immigrant raised in Miami, Andrade noticed the lack of Hispanics on campus but didn’t feel like his Hispanic heritage separated him from any other student at UF.
“When I went through the journalism program, there weren’t many Hispanics,” Andrade said. “My experience was extremely positive, and I always felt supported by the faculty and my fellow students.”
After graduating from UF, he earned a Master of Arts degree in international economics and Latin American studies from the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University.
His resume boasts positions such as manager of Internal Affairs within the U.S. Federal Government’s executive branch, international property and casualty businessman at the American International Group and president and chief operating officer of property and casualty operations for The Hartford Financial Services Group.
He is now the executive vice president of the Chubb Group and president of Overseas General Insurance.
His word of wisdom to Latino/Hispanic aspiring journalists to strive to be objective, balanced and questioning.
“Celebrate our heritage, but let’s do it in a way that also highlights our contributions to this society and what binds us as Americans,” Andrade said. “Work hard and be involved in our society to drive positive change, particularly now.
"Make your voices heard.”