In the final episode of Season 5 of Elevating DC Youth, student hosts from the Deanwood Radio Broadcast Youth Journalism Program sit down with Juan Baños, an international business executive and entrepreneur who has built and scaled companies across construction, development, energy, and real estate.

Juan shares his journey as the son of immigrant parents pursuing the American Dream, from working in the trenches of his family’s construction business to rebuilding that business from bankruptcy with just $700 and a vision for impact. He reflects on loss, failure, and resilience, emphasizing that setbacks are not problems but opportunities to learn and grow.

Throughout the conversation, Juan challenges common misconceptions about the construction industry, highlights the importance of respect and kindness for all work, and explains why leadership is about responsibility, humility, and lifting up the people around you. He encourages young people to find purpose in what they do, stay resilient through challenges, and recognize that finding your voice often means leading with integrity and service.