Giovanni R. Castro '13

Giovanni R. Castro is the Public Policy Manager for Uber's South Region, directing public affairs in Florida, Louisiana, and other states in the region. Before joining Uber, Castro worked as the State and Local Government Affairs Manager for Verizon in Florida. In that role, he represented the company at all levels of government and with communities throughout the state. He’s previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff for City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. During his tenure at the City of Miami, Giovanni managed strategic partnerships, policy, and operations for the office of the mayor. He was instrumental in advancing the mayor’s priorities and agenda. Giovanni’s most notable initiatives include spearheading the children's savings account and rental assistance for senior citizens across the city. He was also selected by Harvard University Graduate School of Design to be part of the “Multiple Miamis” Studio Review, which is focused on investigating the effects and pressures of real estate speculation and boom, climate change, and sea level rise on Miami's Historic Overtown neighborhood. Previously, Giovanni worked as a Senior Aide to the Lt. Governor of Florida, Carlos Lopez-Cantera.

Before building a career in the fast-paced environment of political campaigns and serving as campaign manager and deputy manager for multiple elections, Giovanni earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business from Florida International University. Giovanni is a certified scholar in affordable housing from the University of Miami, he is an alumnus of the Leadership Florida program, and a member of Florida International University's Order of the Torch, the university's highest honorary distinction. Recently, he was featured in Influence Magazine's 30 under 30 for Florida Politics. Giovanni is currently a board member for the YMCA Allapattah and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and serves as the Advocacy Chair for the FIU President’s Council.