Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises is a Vice President, Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and Director of The Richard Haas Center on Education. She previously served as CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools from 2016 to 2026, making her the district’s longest-serving leader since 1946. Guided by the belief that every child can succeed with the right support, she has led major efforts to strengthen equity, academics, school facilities, and career readiness.

Her leadership includes launching Building a Generation: City Schools’ Blueprint for Success, creating Maryland’s first Office of Equity, expanding family and community engagement, opening 24 new school buildings, introducing new curricula, and realigning career and technical education programs for living-wage career pathways.

Previously, she served as City Schools’ Chief Academic Officer and held leadership roles at The Education Trust and Boston Public Schools. She serves on several education and community boards and holds degrees from Brown University, Columbia University, and Harvard University.

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