Julio Sáenz

Author / Leader

Julio Sáenz is the Director of Common Ground Health, where he oversees both the agency's external and internal communications and leads a team of communications specialists. Sáenz brings over 25 years of experience in journalism, public relations, marketing, and organizational leadership.

Previously, he served as the Manager of Corporate Communications for Avangrid in New York, overseeing external and internal communications for Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E) and New York State Electric and Gas Corporation (NYSEG). Before joining Avangrid, Sáenz was the Chief Communications and Development Officer at the Ibero-American Action League. In this capacity, he led the team responsible for public relations, events, fundraising, and Poder 97.1 FM.

Julio has also held numerous media executive roles, serving as the editor and publisher of newspapers and news websites in Rochester, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. Additionally, he was the host of "Be Inspired," a weekly entrepreneurship show on WROC Channel 8. Beyond his professional endeavors, Sáenz is a professor at RIT’s School of Communications and the author of "The History of Rochester’s Latino Community."

An active community member, he serves on the boards of WXXI Public Broadcasting and the Little Theatre Film Society; participates in the United Way Latino Leadership Development Program, the Executive Jíbaritos Latino Professional Networking Group; and is involved with the alumni chapter of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.

Sáenz earned his master's degree in Strategic Marketing from Roberts Wesleyan College and his bachelor's degree in International Relations, with a minor in Mass Communications, from Florida International University. His hobbies include genealogy, writing, and playing the guitar.