Mario Bucaro succeeds Anne Jakrajutatip as Miss Universe Org CEO

The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) has appointed Mario Bucaro as its new chief executive officer, replacing Thai business mogul Anne Jakrajutatip who held the position since 2022.

The international pageant organization announced this through its website on Wednesday, Oct. 29, saying the change in leadership follows the recent restructuring of the Board of Directors at JKN Global Group. JKN Global Group co-owns MUO along with Legacy Holdings Group of Raul Rocha, the president of the pageant organization.

Jakrajutatip stepped down from her executive posts in JKN Global Group last June 20, after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Thailand issued a complaint against her.

“The organization extends its heartfelt appreciation to Ms. Jakrajutatip for her visionary leadership and dedication, which greatly enhanced MUO’s global presence and commitment to inclusion and diversity. Her efforts have left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire the organization’s mission as she now focuses on her family,” the organization said.

Bucaro previously served as MUO’s Vice President for International Relations. He has also represented Guatemala as ambassador to Israel and Mexico, and is the concurrent ambassador to Bulgaria and Cyprus. He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala as well.

“As CEO of the Miss Universe Organization, Mr. Búcaro will reinforce MUO’s commitment to excellence and inclusivity while enhancing its global outreach,” the MUO stated.

“His leadership will focus on strengthening international collaborations, expanding the organization’s presence across the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, and Africa, and enriching the candidate experience while upholding integrity and fairness. He will also work to amplify the organization’s social impact initiatives, empowering women and fostering leadership development through innovation, social responsibility, and global engagement programs,” it added.

The organization also noted in the statement that it has implemented “structural adjustments” to strengthen its internal management.

The appointment of the new CEO comes a few weeks ahead of the 74th Miss Universe pageant which will be held in Thailand on Nov. 21.

The Philippines is fielding pageant veteran Ahtisa Manalo of Quezon in a bid to bag the country’s fifth Miss Universe crown, following Gloria Diaz (1969), Margarita Moran (1973), Pia Wurtzbach (2015), and Catriona Gray (2018). /edv