Julio Suárez

Julio Suarez
Senior Director of Community Affairs, Anheuser-Busch

Julio is Senior Director of Community Affairs at Anheuser-Busch. In his position, Julio directs the multicultural stakeholder outreach strategy, leads the company’s workplace giving program, and coordinates communications on Better World and CSR programs and initiatives with over 500 independent wholesalers across the country. Julio is also the founder and current co-chair of AB Inspira, Anheuser-Busch’s Latinx-focused employee resource group.

Before joining Anheuser-Busch in 2014, Julio was Director of Diversity Outreach at Darden Restaurants, a role he assumed in 2008. In this capacity, Julio worked with company senior management and community stakeholders to establish diversity alliances and programs resulting in positive social impact and enhanced company reputation. During his last two years with the company, Julio also served as Director of the Darden Restaurants Foundation, overseeing over $8 million in grants to national and local non-profits and in-kind donations.

Prior to Darden, Julio was at Sprint for nine years, serving in a variety of assignments, including multicultural marketing, inclusion and diversity, and training and development.

Julio holds bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Communication Studies from the University of Kansas, and an M.B.A from Baker University in Kansas City.

Throughout his career, Julio has served on multiple nonprofit and civic boards, including the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, the Gateway Center for Giving, FOCUS St. Louis, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan St. Louis Foundation, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Advisory Council, and he was appointed by former Florida Governor, Rick Scott, to the Commission on Jobs for Floridians with Disabilities.

How does GCG support your work in the philanthropic sector?

The network offered by the Gateway Center for Giving is its greatest value. By being a member, I am able to connect with other leaders in the local philanthropic sector to exchange ideas and discuss issues facing the region. The staff at GCG is also helpful and ready to provide assistance and access to research and sector materials and publications.