Sonja Brookins Santelises

Chief Executive Officer of Baltimore City Public Schools

Throughout her career, Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises has been guided by her core conviction, that – properly resourced and supported – every child can be successful, and that excellence in urban education is achievable at scale. 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 was a finalist for the 2020 Green-Garner Award, the nation's highest urban education honor recognizing outstanding contributions in urban education. She serves on the Board of Trustees of the Carnegie Foundation and the Executive Committee of the Council of Great City Schools. Dr. Santelises was a founding board member of Ed Reports, and she is a board member of United Way of Central Maryland and Chiefs for Change. In February 2023 Dr. Santelises was named one of “25 Black Marylanders to Watch” by The Baltimore Sun.

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.