Dr. Maria Del Carmen Santiago, Ed.D. – Top Latinos
Somerset, NJ/LWW/ Dr. Maria Del Carmen Santiago, Ed.D., CEO of Calm and Mindful LLC, has been recognized by the Top Latinos in the 2026 edition.
Dr. Maria Del Carmen Santiago, Ed.D., stands as a powerful example of what leadership looks like when it is rooted in service, courage, and hope. As CEO of Calm and Mindful LLC in Somerset, New Jersey, she has built more than a company. She has helped shape a mission-driven movement that brings together education, mindfulness, sustainability, and community empowerment in ways that uplift lives and expand opportunity.
Since 2016, Calm and Mindful LLC has served as a family-owned organization dedicated to wellness and growth. Through educational consulting, tutoring, and practical strategies for mental wellness, the company has encouraged individuals and communities to see wellbeing not as a luxury, but as a daily practice. Under Dr. Santiago’s leadership, that vision has continued to grow, reaching across schools, neighborhoods, and professional spaces with a clear message: when we care for the mind, the environment, and one another, we create stronger futures.
Dr. Santiago’s path reflects both excellence and deep commitment. A native of Puerto Rico and a resident of New Jersey, she has become a respected leader in education, research, and environmental advocacy. She earned her Doctorate in Education from Walden University, where her research focused on educational inclusion, social justice, and stronger teaching practices for diverse communities. Her work was recognized with Walden University’s Leader of Excellence Award, and she was also selected as a Social Change Fellow at the Walden University Institute for Social Change.
These honors reflect the heart of her career. Dr. Santiago has long championed educational equity, especially for students and families who are too often overlooked. Her scholarship and professional work have addressed inclusive education, teacher development, the rights of students with disabilities, school culture, and the role of sustainable practices in education. She does not simply study change. She works to make it real.
That commitment earned national and international respect. Since 2020, Dr. Santiago has served as a Research Associate for the World Bank, bringing her insight to work that connects education, equity, and development on a global scale. Her voice carries weight because it is grounded in both research and lived understanding. She knows that lasting progress depends on systems that honor dignity, access, and belonging.
In 2025, her leadership was recognized in another remarkable way when she was named Doctor Honoris Causa by the Ibero-American Doctoral Council. This distinction honored her international impact on teacher training, educational leadership, and the implementation of equity strategies in learning. As her second doctorate, the title affirmed what many already knew: Dr. Santiago is a transformational force in education across the United States and Latin America.
Her influence extends beyond classrooms and academic forums. As Environmental Commissioner for the Township of Franklin/Somerset, Dr. Santiago has shown that community leadership must also include care for the planet. She understands that environmental health and human wellbeing are deeply linked. Through her work, sustainability becomes more than policy. It becomes a practical expression of justice, responsibility, and hope for future generations.
That same vision is reflected in Calm and Mindful LLC’s growing role in sustainability initiatives. In 2025, the company was accepted into the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Clean Corridor Coalition, a major step that strengthened its role in clean energy, workforce development, and sustainable infrastructure. This achievement marked an important milestone for the organization and highlighted Dr. Santiago’s ability to connect environmental stewardship with community advancement.
Through this collaboration, Calm and Mindful LLC has supported efforts that prepare people for the green economy, promote resilience, and expand educational programs that connect ecological awareness with personal wellness. This work is especially inspiring because it shows that sustainability is not separate from everyday life. It is tied to how we learn, how we lead, and how we care for each other.
Dr. Santiago has also made a lasting impact through her advocacy for students with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. In 2025, she was selected by the New Jersey Commissioner of Education to serve on the NJ IEP Improvement Working Group, a task force of 22 members chosen from more than 180 applicants. In this role, she has helped improve support systems for students with special needs while advancing family empowerment, access to services, and educational justice. Her perspective as a bilingual educator has added both depth and urgency to this work.
What makes Dr. Santiago’s story so inspiring is not only the range of her accomplishments, but the values that guide them. She leads with mindfulness, but also with action. She values research, but never loses sight of people. She promotes wellness, while also pushing for structural change. In every role, she reminds us that true leadership is not about titles alone. It is about using knowledge, compassion, and determination to build a better world.
For educators, advocates, students, and community leaders, Dr. Maria Del Carmen Santiago offers a compelling model of what is possible. She shows that one person can bridge disciplines, cultures, and causes without losing focus. She proves that education can be a tool for justice, that sustainability can be a path to equity, and that wellness can be woven into the very fabric of community life.
Her work continues to inspire because it is grounded in a belief that change begins with care and grows through collaboration. In a time when many people are searching for leaders who bring wisdom and humanity together, Dr. Santiago stands out as a voice of purpose and progress. Through Calm and Mindful LLC and her wider service, she is helping shape a future that is more inclusive, more sustainable, and more compassionate for all.
Top Latinos is a prestigious New York publication dedicated to honoring the achievements of the Latino community. They meticulously identify and honor outstanding Latino professionals nationwide who have reached impressive levels of success in their respective fields. By showcasing their accomplishments, they aim to foster growth and appreciation of the Latino industry and culture. Since their establishment in 2010, Top Latinos has been wholeheartedly committed to fulfilling their mission of bringing awareness to the exceptional contributions made by the Latino professional and executive community.