Juan Santana

About Juan Santana

As 8th Light’s Talent & Community Manager, Juan leverages his extensive background to lead strategic hiring initiatives while cultivating a vibrant, inclusive company culture. Juan’s career began in the legal industry, where he gained invaluable experience within the criminal, civil, and nonprofit sectors. His commitment to advocacy and uplifting others shapes his approach to building community today. Juan later transitioned into the technology world at Apple, supporting a variety of functions spanning retail, operations & logistics, onboarding & learning, product engagement, and marketing.Today, Juan brings his rich, diverse experience to 8th Light, where he is passionate about fostering community, nurturing talent, and creating meaningful connections. He focuses on building a people-first culture that champions diversity, continuous learning, and individual growth—ensuring every team member feels seen, valued, and empowered.A proud Jersey transplant now based in the Greater Tampa Bay region, Juan holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science & Law and a master’s degree in Merchandising with a minor in Marketing.

Experience

1. Talent & Community Manager

   8th Light

   Jan 2025 — Present · Chicago, IL, US

   At 8th Light, we bring life to the best ideas.Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Chicago, we are a technology solutions provider that partners with organizations to solve meaningful challenges and drive sustainable growth. From early-stage startups to global enterprises, we work across industries to optimize our clients’ digital products through product strategy innovation, experiential design, AI solutions, and deep engineering expertise. Our commitment to quality means we deliver solutions we’re truly proud of, while our curiosity sparks innovation and breakthrough thinking. 8th Lights thrive in an environment that champions continuous education, fueling our growth through mentorship and hands-on work. We foster an open, collaborative culture grounded in honesty that builds trust, and believe true success is measured by the outcomes we create for our clients.

Education

• Drexel University

  Master of Science - MS, Retail & Merchandising

• Montclair State University

  Bachelor's, Justice Studies & Public Administration

  2013 — 2017

Skills

• Microsoft Word
• Team Leadership
• Legal Writing
• Confidentiality
• Leadership
• Time Management
• English
• Event Planning
• Leadership Development
• Collaborative Problem Solving
• Conflict Management
• Legislative Relations
• Strategic Communications
• High Level of Confidentiality
• Social Media
• Public Speaking
• Communication
• Management
• Presentation Development
• Crisis Management
• Photography
• Teamwork
• Budgeting
• Lexis
• Higher Education Leadership
• Customer Service
• Training
• Social Networking
• Policy Analysis
• Resource Management
• Microsoft Office
• Sales
• Professional Writing
• Presentation Skills
• Programming
• Articulate Presenter
• Research
• Scheduling
• Tax Analysis
• Microsoft Excel