Throughout her career, Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises has dedicated herself to the achievement of excellence in urban education. She is now in her second term as Chief Executive Officer of Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools), to which she was first appointed on July 1, 2016. Dr. Santelises had previously served as Chief Academic Officer for City Schools from 2010-2013. Prior to returning to Baltimore, she served for three years as vice president for K-12 policy and practice at The Education Trust, a national nonprofit organization focused on closing the achievement gap experienced disproportionately by students of color from low- income families.
Dr. Santelises is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Brown University. She holds a Master of Arts degree in education administration from Columbia University and a Doctor of Education in administration, planning and social policy from Harvard University. She has lived in Baltimore with her husband and three daughters since 2010.