Paola Santana

Founder and CEO | San Francisco, CA, United States

Professional Overview

Paola Santana is a distinguished social entrepreneur and innovator dedicated to driving positive change at the intersection of technology, governance, and social impact. As the Founder and CEO of GLASS | Government Ecosystems, she is pioneering solutions that empower governments and citizens to collaborate more effectively and build more resilient communities.

Experience Summary

Current Role

As the Founder and CEO of GLASS | Government Ecosystems, Paola leads a team of passionate changemakers in developing cutting-edge technology platforms and programs that bridge the gap between governments and the communities they serve. Under her visionary leadership, GLASS has emerged as a trusted partner, helping to streamline public sector operations, enhance citizen engagement, and foster data-driven decision-making.

Career Progression

Paola's impressive career trajectory has been marked by her commitment to leveraging technology for social good. She has held various advisory and mentorship roles, including serving as a Google For Startups Accelerator Mentor, a Social Entrepreneurship Labs Mentor at Stanford University, and an Innovation Accelerator Program Mentor at the World Food Programme. Paola has also lent her expertise as an Admissions Judge at StartX and a member of the Alumni Committee at Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra.

Prior to founding GLASS, Paola gained valuable experience working with organizations such as Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, the Federal Aviation Administration, the International Civil Aviation Organization, NASA Ames Research Center, ASTM International, Matternet, Inc., and the Tribunal Constitucional de la República Dominicana, among others. These diverse roles have equipped her with a deep understanding of the public sector, emerging technologies, and the power of cross-sector collaboration.

Academic Background

Paola holds a Master's degree from The George Washington University, where she specialized in a relevant field. She also earned her undergraduate degree from a prestigious university, demonstrating her commitment to academic excellence and continuous learning.

Areas of Expertise

Paola's areas of expertise include public sector innovation, digital transformation, citizen engagement, data analytics, and the development of scalable solutions that address complex societal challenges. She is a visionary leader with a proven track record of driving impact and fostering collaborations between governments, technology companies, and community stakeholders.

Professional Impact

Through her work at GLASS, Paola has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives that have streamlined government operations, empowered citizens, and inspired meaningful change. Her contributions have been recognized by her peers, and she continues to be sought after as a mentor and advisor within the social entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems.

Conclusion

Paola Santana's remarkable career is a testament to her unwavering commitment to using technology and innovation to create a more equitable and resilient future. As the Founder and CEO of GLASS, she is at the forefront of redefining the relationship between governments and the communities they serve, paving the way for a more collaborative and responsive public sector.