Cindy Santos is a Senior Associate for Strategic Partnerships at the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions, where she oversees national field partnerships and strategy to strengthen place-based collaboration, advance equity-centered systems change, and transform philanthropic practice.
Previously, she was the National Partnerships Advisor at Casey Family Programs, where she led a national portfolio focused on systems transformation, racial equity, and access to justice. She worked across national partnerships and public-sector agencies to align strategies, influence policy, and drive equitable community outcomes. She also led DEI initiatives, guiding teams through organizational change efforts on identity, inclusion, and belonging.
She also worked at ICF International, advising state and territorial agencies on strengthening public-sector capacity, improving child and family outcomes, and embedding racial equity into community-based services.
Cindy serves on the Advisory Board of the Air Opportunity Fund, providing strategic guidance to advance place-based initiatives that empower individuals, strengthen communities, and foster lasting, positive change. She holds an MS in International Social Policy from Columbia University, a BS in Social Work from Calvin College, and an Executive Certificate in Women in Leadership from Columbia Business School. She is also a Hispanics in Philanthropy Líderes Fellow and an alum of the McKinsey Hispanic and Latino Management Accelerator.