Juan Jhong-Chung

Director of Strategic Initiatives

Juan Jhong-Chung (pronounced “Hong-Chung”) is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Sustain Our Future Foundation (SOFF). Throughout his career, Juan has worked at the intersection of Environmental Justice, clean energy, technology, and community engagement, bringing diverse stakeholders together to advance equitable outcomes.

Prior to joining SOFF, Juan led Wayne Forward, a technical assistance program in Wayne County, Michigan, supporting 43 local governments on climate resilience, clean energy, infrastructure, and economic development.

Before that, Juan served as Executive Director of the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition, where he led state and federal policy advocacy, local organizing, and coalition building across Michigan. He also co-chaired the Climate Justice Alliance’s national Policy Working Group, helping shape federal policy priorities informed by frontline communities. In 2024, he was invited to the White House Summit on Environmental Justice in Action.

Juan began his career as a software engineer, and that technical foundation continues to shape how he approaches emerging technologies, energy systems, infrastructure, and community impact.

Juan holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Boston University and dual master’s degrees in Environment and Sustainability and Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Michigan. Of Peruvian and Chinese heritage, he brings a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary perspective to his work and is particularly interested in development frameworks that balance people, planet, and prosperity while building a thriving future for all.