Courtesy: City & County of Honolulu
HONOLULU – Mayor Rick Blangiardi announced today the appointment of Jennifer Santos as the new Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts (MOCA) for the City and County of Honolulu.
Santos is a seasoned, mission-driven leader with more than 20 years of experience across the corporate, nonprofit, and Native Hawaiian organizations. She brings a strong background in operational strategy, cultural programming, and cross-sector collaboration—guided by people-first, purpose-driven leadership on a global scale.
“Jennifer Santos is the right leader at the right time for MOCA,” said Mayor Blangiardi. “Her unique blend of strategic vision, cultural depth, and proven experience makes her exceptionally qualified to lead this office into its next chapter. Jennifer brings not only strong professional credentials but also a deep personal commitment to our island’s people, stories, and cultural identity. I look forward to seeing her elevate the role of arts and culture that are lasting and transformational across our communities.”
As Executive Director, Santos will lead the City’s arts and culture initiatives through strategic and community-informed programming. She will also oversee efforts to increase public access to arts and cultural resources while advancing the City’s multi-year arts initiative, Wahi Pana: Storied Places.
“I am honored and excited to lead the next phase of dynamic growth for MOCA,” said Santos. “This opportunity is a calling — he kuleana nunui loa — to transform our work from a series of moments into a lasting movement: one that roots us in identity, amplifies shared narratives, and expands access and visibility. I ka wā ma mua, i ka wā ma hope reminds us of our responsibility to carry ancestral knowledge forward with intention.”
Santos most recently served as Director of Strategy, Planning, and Operations for Business Acceleration at VMware, where she led global customer success initiatives and championed inclusive leadership programs. Prior to that, she held executive roles at Cisco Meraki and Cisco Systems, Inc., where she developed operational frameworks, aligned cross-functional teams, and drove access across diverse sectors.
Courtesy: City and County of Honolulu
“I envision a Honolulu where keiki grow up rooted in the stories of their kūpuna—where they see themselves reflected in public art and feel empowered to shape it,” Santos added. “A city where Native Hawaiian voices are uplifted, heard, and celebrated—alongside the rich multicultural fabric that defines our collective identity.”
In parallel with her corporate leadership, Santos has served as Chief of Staff and Board Member for multiple Native Hawaiian nonprofits, where she directed cultural programs, educational outreach, and international partnerships dedicated to preserving and uplifting ʻŌiwi identity and practice.
“My goal is to elevate MOCA as a unifying force-multiplier—centering community voices and increasing proximity through sustainable systems of engagement, representation, and impact that will serve future generations,” she said. “I bring strategic leadership, business acumen, and lived experience shaped by cultural practice and community commitment—anchoring this work in people-first, place-based, purpose-driven principles.”
Santos’s appointment marks a new chapter for MOCA, focused on intentional growth, cultural awareness, and deeper community connection—building an arts and cultural landscape that reflects, honors, and empowers the people of Honolulu.
Santos first day in her new role will be Thursday, July 10, 2025.
—PAU—
