Harrisburg, PA – Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) will hold its 17th Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2024 on Thursday, May 9, 2024. Beginning at 6:30 PM at The Forum Auditorium in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, HU will welcome 1,500 community members in celebration of the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral graduates.
Josué Estrada, former Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), will serve as the commencement speaker. Prior to joining CZI, Mr. Estrada led Salesforce in several roles over more than seven years, including his most recent tenure as Executive Vice President and COO. During his time at Salesforce, Mr. Estrada directed the company’s overall strategy, including partnerships and alliances, corporate development, and enablement programs. Mr. Estrada also served as the executive sponsor of Salesforce’s Latinx employee resource group.
In addition to the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and Salesforce, Mr. Estrada’s business experience includes senior leadership roles at DHL, Gap Inc., and Procter & Gamble. Altogether, he has served the business community in Brazil, Belgium, Germany, Mexico, Spain, the UK, and the US.
During his time at CZI, Mr. Estrada committed much of his time and energy to solving the problem of access and equity for minorities and low-income families in the education system.
“Technology is disrupting education, but it’s also a catalyzer,” Mr. Estrada commented. “The stage where kids are, where they don’t necessarily have a lot of psychological safety, or they’re coming from backgrounds where they’re not as supported in terms of well-being … this is where technology has a potential advantage and, in my view, a responsibility as we provide that future learning platform. Harrisburg University’s STEM-focused degree programs provide the necessary knowledge and tools for the supercharged technological revolution we are experiencing with the advent of AI.”
Josué Estrada earned his BA in Economics at Tecnológico de Monterrey and the University of Minnesota. He then studied at IE Business school under their student exchange program before finalizing his MBA in Marketing and Strategy at Alliance Manchester Business School. He is fluent in five languages.
Mr. Estrada has a long history of volunteering his time, enthusiasm, and expertise to various community-focused academic and charitable institutions. He sits on the Board of Directors of the YMCA of San Francisco and chairs the Diversity, Inclusion, and Global Engagement Committee.
“Josué Estrada’s commitment to education ignites a beacon of hope in our collective pursuit of knowledge and equity,” said Harrisburg University President, Eric Darr, PhD. “His leadership, with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and Salesforce, illuminates pathways to transformative change. Mr. Estrada has brought a seasoned and passionate perspective, along with undeniable changemaking energy, to each organization he’s served. This made him an ideal choice for delivering Harrisburg University’s commencement speaker address. Together, we celebrate the power of education to shape a brighter future for all.”
When Mr. Estrada is not leading changemaking initiatives at major organizations, he enjoys cycling and running, as well as exploring his adopted home of San Francisco with his children and wife.
More than 800 students from the Class of 2024 will graduate this year. For more information about Harrisburg University’s 17th Commencement Exercises, visit HarrisburgU.edu/Commencement.
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a private, nonprofit university offering bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in the fields of science, technology, and mathematics. For additional information about the University’s affordable, demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, please call 717-901-5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay updated by following Harrisburg University on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
