Today, the California Community Foundation announced that Miguel A. Santana will take over as the new president and CEO of the California Community Foundation (CCF) in October, succeeding Antonia Hernandez, who led the foundation for two decades. The UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute (UCLA LPPI) issued the following statement in response to the announcement:
“UCLA LPPI welcomes Miguel Santana as the new President and CEO of the California Community Foundation. We know Latino representation is essential in any sector where power is held, and decisions are made that directly impact Latinos and other communities of color.
Building on the two decades of Antonia Hernandez’s leadership at CCF, the appointment of Santana is an important recognition of the continued impact of Latino leaders in driving the vision for a more equitable and just California for all.
At UCLA LPPI, we’ve witnessed Santana’s work and dedication to Latino communities firsthand. As the CEO of the Weingart Foundation, we saw him drive increased investment in Latino-led organizations, including UCLA LPPI, to ensure the solutions to today’s challenges are grounded in community needs. We also were fortunate to have him lend his keen understanding of how narratives play into policy decisions to help inform our Los Angeles Times research. This resulted in efforts to increase representation and accountability at the outlet that ensures Latino stories are told truthfully and authentically. His bold leadership at Weingart led to funding direct emergency intervention services for undocumented children during a time when far too many philanthropic organizations shied away from intervening. These are just a few instances that exemplify Santana’s deep commitment to advancing equity, exceptional leadership skills, and experience addressing critical issues affecting underrepresented communities.
In a time when people of color are often the targets of philanthropy but rarely those leading, Santana offers critical insight to inform investment that creates culturally competent and accurate interventions that will have a greater impact. We are excited to continue working closely with Santana in his new role as we collectively strive to amplify the voices of Latino communities and work towards a more inclusive and prosperous future for California.”
MEDIA CONTACT
E: lppipress@luskin.ucla.edu
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About UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute
The UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute addresses the most critical domestic policy challenges facing Latinos and other communities of color through research, advocacy, mobilization, and leadership development to expand genuine opportunity for all Americans.
