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Jerry Gonzalez

GALEO CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO)

Jerry Gonzalez (He/Him/Él) is the founding and current Chief Executive Officer (CEO)  GALEO Latino Community Development Fund (GLCDF). Founded in 2003 originally as a 501(c)(6), GALEO Latino Community Development Fund is a 501(c)(3) statewide nonprofit and non-partisan organization; its mission is to increase civic engagement and leadership development of the Latino/Hispanic community across Georgia.  He is also CEO of GALEO Impact Fund, Inc., a 501(c)4 organization that was founded in 2019. 

At GALEO, Gonzalez has utilized not only his extensive political experience but also his deep understanding of the struggles of the Latino community in Georgia. During his tenure with GALEO, the GALEO Institute for Leadership (GIL) program has become a flagship leadership development for the Latino and immigrant community in Georgia, equipping more than 895 community members with skills to serve their communities. The GALEO Leadership Council, English/Spanish-Language Leadership Series, and the Latino Leaders Summit are also integral to GALEO’s leadership, empowerment, and networking activities.

Through GALEO’s voter engagement efforts, the Georgia Latino electorate has grown to well over 400,000 now from a mere 10,000 in 2003, and Latino voter participation rates in most jurisdictions in Georgia during the 2016 election out-performed national Latino voter participation rates. In 2015, citing the federal Voting Rights Act Section 203, Gonzalez and LatinoJustice spearheaded the successful effort to encourage quick implementation of Spanish-language materials available to voters in Gwinnett County. In 2015, GALEO LCDF was honored by the Sapelo Foundation with the prestigious Smith Bagley Award, for its continued success and exemplary work with the community.

Gonzalez is a native of Laredo, Texas, and received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1995. He completed his Master of Public Administration with a Nonprofit Administration emphasis at the Andrew Young School of Public Policy at Georgia State University in 2005. 

In 1996, Gonzalez moved to Atlanta for a job as Field Support Engineer for Rockwell Automation. After transitioning into the nonprofit arena in 2002, Gonzalez worked with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) as the first Legislative Policy Analyst in Atlanta, focusing upon immigrants’ rights issues at the Georgia General Assembly and in several local jurisdictions across the Southeast. Due to his efforts at GALEO, Mr. Gonzalez has been recognized by Georgia Trend Magazine as one of Georgia’s 100 Most Influential Georgians for several years, and serves as a trustee and member on foundation and advisory boards, along with many other honors and awards. In 2017, he was selected to participate in the Rockwood Institute’s ‘National Leading from the Inside Out (LIO) Yearlong Fellows’ executive leadership program.

When not traveling throughout Georgia, speaking at town hall meetings, and advocating for education, civic engagement, greater access to abortion, sensible gun control, action on climate change, and fair immigration policies, Gonzalez lives in Atlanta with his husband of over 27 years, Ray, an established and practicing pediatrician, and their dog, Zack. Jerry’s hobbies include photography, travel, hiking and considers himself an avid road cyclist.

Short BIO:  Jerry Gonzalez is the founding and current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GALEO Latino Community Development Fund (GALEO), and the GALEO Impact Fund. GALEO, a statewide nonprofit and non-partisan organization, has a mission to increase civic participation by educating and empowering the Latino community and to develop Latino leaders through strategic leadership programs throughout the state of Georgia. Gonzalez is a native of Laredo, Texas, and received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1995. He completed his Master of Public Administration at the Andrew Young School of Public Policy at Georgia State University in 2005. Due to his efforts at GALEO, Mr. Gonzalez has been recognized by Georgia Trend Magazine as one of Georgia’s 100 Most Influential Georgians for several years.  He also dedicates time towards philanthropy, serving on various boards.  Gonzalez lives in Atlanta with his husband of over 27 years, Ray, an established and practicing pediatrician, and their dog, Zack.  Jerry’s hobbies include photography, travel, hiking, and he considers himself an avid road cyclist.

Honors and Awards

  • Georgia Trend Magazine, ‘100 Most Influential Georgians’ (2007, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021).
  • ‘One of Georgia’s Notables’, Georgia Trend Magazine (2009, 2014, 2015, 2023).
  • Named by the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as one of Georgia’s “50 Most Influential Latinos” (2021, 2020, 2019, 2018), and in 2022, he was named to their Hall of Fame for Latinx leaders.
  • Babson College, Entrepreneurial Leadership in the Social Sector (2021).
  • 2021 Bright Voices Honors, Voice for Brighter Futures in Community Engagement (07/24/2021)
  • Trustee for the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation (2013-Present), Secretary (2018), Vice-Chair (2019-2020), Chair (2021-2022).
  • Secretary, GALEO Impact Fund, Inc. (2019-2020)
  • Atlanta Magazine named Jerry Gonzalez as one of “Atlanta 500:  Our City’s Most Powerful Leaders” (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
  • Named as a trustee to the Southeast Council of Foundations (2019-2023)
  • Caminar Latino recognized J. Gonzalez as the “Individual of the Year, Caminar Latino Journey Award” (2019)
  • ProGeorgia Board (2011-2021), ProGeorgia Vice Chair (2019-2021)
  • Honored by La Amistad, Inc. as one of “Atlanta’s Heroes” (09/28/2019)
  • Rockwood Institute’s ‘National Leading from the Inside Out (LIO) Yearlong Fellows’ executive leadership program, participant (2017-2018).
  • Goizueta Foundation Grant Advisory Board at Emory University, member (2017)
  • Grand Marshal for the Atlanta Gay Pride Parade, Grand Marshall (2017).
  • Top 10 Fundraiser for AIDS Vaccine 200-mile bicycle ride. Jerry and his husband, Ray, raised a combined total of over $24,000 in 2017. In two years, the couple raised $59,000 for AIDS vaccine research, a record amount for the AV200.
  • Board of Directors, Atlanta BeltLine Partnership (2015-2019)
  • ‘Personajes Destacados del Ano’ (Person of the Year) by Mundo Hispanico (2014).
  • ‘Caribbean American Movers & Shakers’ Award (2014).
  • Leadership Atlanta, Board of Trustee (2014-2017).
  • Appointed as Chairman of the Georgia State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (2013-2020), Serving as a Commissioner member of the Georgia State Advisory Committee (2020-2023).
  • Lanza Group, Hispanic Achievement & Business Leadership ‘Unsung Hero’ Award (2012).
  • Georgia Equality, ‘Allen Thornell Political Advancement Award’ (2012).
  • Invited to the White House by President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama for a Holiday Reception (2011).
  • Served on the Georgia State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (2011-2023).
  • National Society of Hispanic MBA’s, Atlanta Chapter, ‘Hispanic 4 Under 40’ inaugural award for outstanding Nonprofit Leadership (2011)
  • New Leaders Council Progressive Stars of Atlanta, Strong Democracy Award (5/10/2011).
  • Leadership Georgia, Class of 2010
  • Honorary Co-Chair for the 25th Anniversary Sweet Auburn Springfest at the Legends, Heroes & Heroines Awards Luncheon (2009).
  • MALDEF Community Service Award (2009).
  • ‘Project Interchange’, participant on a trip to Israel with the American Jewish Committee (2008).
  • Community Board Member, or Trustee, to the Sapelo Foundation (2008-2014).
  • Latin American Association, ‘Outstanding Community Leadership, Service and Commitment Award (2008)
  • Atlanta Business Chronicle “Up & Comers- 40 Under 40”.

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