As CEO of Mizzen Education, Carlos Santini leads the organization’s overall strategy as a key resource and partner in elevating the quality of afterschool programs for young people.

Since 2002, Santini has worked closely with school districts, foundations, corporations, and local, state and national leaders to expand the scope and improve the quality of afterschool programming for young people. He previously served as executive vice president of programs for After-School All-Stars, a national nonprofit offering comprehensive afterschool programs for middle school youth in 19 cities across the country. Prior to that, Santini was the associate executive director for After-School All-Stars, Los Angeles, one of California’s most influential expanded learning programs. He recently completed a six-year term on National Afterschool Association board of directors and is a featured speaker at national conferences, showcasing best practices in the expanded learning field.

Santini also has had a successful career in marketing and public relations, placing high-tech corporate clients in top-tier media outlets, including Time, Fortune and The Wall Street Journal.

Santini immigrated to the U.S. from Honduras at age seven and credits his experience as an English learner for paving his path towards a career in education. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where he first began his work in youth development with UCLA UniCamp. He is married and has two daughters. His wife, Alejandra, has been an elementary school teacher for more than 30 years and is a former nonprofit executive leader.