Juan Peña is a beacon of hope and change in Denver, particularly in the realm of community development, poverty abolition, and immigration. As a co-founder of CrossPurpose, Juan has played a pivotal role in transforming lives through career and community development programs. This non-profit organization, established in 2012, is committed to abolishing economic, relational, and spiritual poverty. Its flagship career development program has empowered over 950 graduates, aiding them in finding sustainable careers and fostering generational change.

In addition to CrossPurpose, Juan's entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to social justice led him to co-found Torch. This innovative platform addresses the "Cliff Effect," providing crucial financial planning assistance to low-wage workers at risk of losing government benefits. Torch's Financial Planner is a testament to Juan's dedication to creating tools that enhance financial stability and self-sufficiency among the most vulnerable.

Juan's compassion and drive for community service are further exemplified in his latest endeavor, Rooted with Roofs. This initiative began with a promise to help 60 homeless Venezuelan migrants and has since grown into a robust employment-to-housing model, supporting over 350 migrants in Denver. His approach emphasizes creating a supportive community environment, ensuring new arrivals integrate smoothly and attain long-term stability.

Apart from these ventures, Juan is a founding board member of University Preparatory School and a 2023 Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow. The latter recognizes his innovative ideas and efforts to break the cycle of poverty through educational success and economic security.

Juan's journey is deeply personal. Leaving behind a career in mechanical engineering, he became a truancy officer to better understand and serve his community. Married for 23 years to Courtney, with whom he shares four sons, Juan is deeply rooted in the northeast Denver community. They are 15 years into a 30-year commitment to this area, living out Juan's philosophy that "You can’t solve a problem you don’t understand, and you can’t understand from a distance."