Juan M. Menéndez was a Research Assistant at the Center for Global Development, where he focuses on AI governance, local government capacity, and the role of technology in strengthening public institutions in the Global South. His work bridges high-end research with practical implementation, developing tools and evidence that support public sector innovation at the local level.
Prior to joining CGD, Juan advised the Buenos Aires City Government on participatory slum upgrading and rental housing policy, and worked with provincial governments in Argentina to assess AI readiness and drive digital transformation. He also contributed to the design of an AI-enabled tax reform evaluation in Pakistan with the Center for Economic Research in Pakistan (CERP), and developed an AI toolkit to guide nonprofit organizations in adopting emerging technologies responsibly and effectively.
Juan holds a Master’s in International Development Policy from Georgetown University and a BA in Political Science from Universidad Torcuato Di Tella. Proudly from Chajarí, a city in the province of Entre Ríos, Argentina, he’s happiest with a thermos of mate (Canarias, preferably) and a good hike ahead.
