Miguel A. Santana

Miguel A. Santana is the President and CEO of the Weingart Foundation, a private grantmaking foundation that partners with communities across Southern California to advance racial, social, and economic justice for all. The Foundation’s vision is a dynamic and effective social change sector in Southern California that is creating equitable systems and structures needed to achieve justice.

Miguel has over 30 years of experience leading numerous fiscal, legislative, political, and community issues. He served as President and CEO of Fairplex since 2016, a non-profit community benefit regional organization based in Pomona, CA. Previously, Miguel was the City Administrative Officer for the City of Los Angeles, where he oversaw the City’s $9 billion budget and designed the City’s first comprehensive homeless strategy, resulting in a $1.2 billion voter-approved housing bond and a doubling of the City’s general fund investment on programs to end homelessness. Prior to joining the City, Miguel served as one of five Deputy Chief Executive Officers for Los Angeles County overseeing all social service programs supporting children, families, veterans and persons experiencing homelessness.

Miguel has engaged in many civic efforts to create a more equitable Los Angeles region, including serving as Chair of the Committee for Greater LA.  He has served on numerous non-profit boards including the Whittier College Board of Trustees.

Miguel has a B.A. in Sociology and Latin American Studies from Whittier College and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University.