Jorge Cruz serves as executive director of LISC-New Jersey, a decades-long community investment program that has delivered more than $1.6 billion to New Jersey neighborhoods, businesses and community organizations to support economic opportunity and growth. He’s leading the deployment of nearly $40 million in all financial capital into those target communities in tandem with many public and private sector partners. Jorge has been recently recognized by among New Jersey’s most influential Hispanic leaders by Insider NJ (Bridges of Impact 2025) and BINJE (BINJE’S Best Hispanic Business Leaders 2025: A to D – BINJE | New Jersey Business News)
Jorge has deep roots in impact investing and community development across New Jersey. Most recently, he served as vice president for community development at Citizens Bank, building alliances with community leaders to deliver financial products and services to underbanked communities and leading the bank’s Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) market strategies.
During his LISC tenure, innovative efforts include helping lead the formation of the New Jersey CDFI Capital Growth Fund, developing the local platform for LISC’s Entrepreneurs of Color Fund, forming the New Jersey Child Care & Early Learning Fund, and extending LISC’s Financial Opportunity Center model to new communities to help people build their skills, find quality jobs and better manage their finances. Jorge has also been instrumental in expanding the geographic scope from the initial Greater Newark focus to now covering the full State of New Jersey, with the primary emphasis on the State’s most financially impaired communities.
Prior to arriving at LISC, Jorge has spent nearly 30 years working as an executive and consultant to nonprofits, government and other community investment organizations supporting efforts to raise capital, develop sound grant-making practices and bridge health, economic and racial equity gaps that impact quality of life, as well as serving as chief external affairs officer for New Jersey Community Capital; chief strategy officer at the Jewish Renaissance Foundation; and executive director of Garden State Episcopal Community Development Corporation.
In addition to his professional experience, Jorge also volunteers his time to benefit local organizations and communities. He serves as vice-chair of the Triple C Housing board, a board member for the Newark Community School for the Arts, and a member of the La Casa de Don Pedro board. For the last two years, he has served as a member of the Jegna Advisory Council, a statewide working group guiding the grantmaking strategy and priorities for the New Jersey office of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. He also serves as a steering committee member of the Doing Good Better advisory council, a state-level collaboration of the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers and the Center for Nonprofits, which are working together to form a trust-based philanthropy platform. Jorge and his wife Ivonne also recently formed the Cruz Memorial Scholarship Fund in partnership with the Boys to Leaders Foundation to benefit young men of color entering college, or currently attending college. He formerly served as an executive officer for the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits and Jewish Renaissance Foundation boards as well.
Jorge earned his undergraduate degree from the College of New Jersey. He lives in North Brunswick with his wife, Ivonne, and their 23-year old son, Sammy.
