Lydia Santiago | Executive Assistant

Lydia serves as the Executive Assistant to the President and CEO, Chief Civic Leadership Development Officer, and Chief Business Officer, as well as liaison to the KLC Board of Directors.

Lydia brings over 15 years of experience in business support to the KLC team. She most recently worked in academic administration, web management and program coordination at Wichita State University. Lydia has a track record of strong performance and has skillfully managed administrative duties and forged relationships with those around her. Lydia’s previous role led her to opportunities to participate in a myriad of projects supporting executives, faculty, students and their families. She also served on the university senate, first-generation coordinating council and most recently served as a co-advisor on the First-Gen Student Organization.

She is committed to lifelong learning and building upon her passion to create healthier Kansas communities by engaging the ideas taught through KLC. One of her favorite quotes is by Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Outside of work, Lydia is all about her family especially her granddaughter Aleeya, who she often reminds her daughters is the real one in charge. If she’s not home cooking or brewing her favorite Spice Merchant coffee, she’s supporting a local coffee shop, enjoying a bite at a new spot, or laughing it up at a local brewery. She is a lifelong Wichita resident and loves the mecca of entrepreneurs, diverse community and the never-ending drive to grow and support one another.