Welcoming Ricardo Santiago to Americana

About Ricky Santiago

I’m Ricky Santiago, a civic innovation leader, digital equity strategist, and community advocate rooted in Louisville, Kentucky. My professional journey spans local government, immigrant‑serving initiatives, and public policy, tied together by a singular purpose: to expand access, opportunity, and inclusion through technology, connection, and collaboration.

I am originally from Ponce, Puerto Rico but grew up in Louisville since I was 14 years old. I am a graduate of Doss High School, Class of 06 (Go Dragons). I earned my Bachelors in Science from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, and my Masters in Organizational Leadership from Indiana Tech University. I also have a Human Rights Certificate from the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights.

I love football, and sports in general, if you listen to sports on the radio you may have heard my voice on the UofL Football and Basketball Spanish broadcast. I've also coached football at Doss, Fern Creek and Iroquois High school.

I have served on local and national boards like Grupo 21 in DC and Bank on Louisville.

From Global Community to Local Impact

I began my public service in Louisville’s Office for Globalization where I focused on immigrant integration, multilingual outreach, and strengthening civic bridges for newcomer populations. In that role I served as a point of contact for immigrant‑led organizations, supported economic development for immigrant business owners, and helped to design community programming that reflected Louisville’s growing cultural diversity. Through projects such as the Beechmont immigrant entrepreneurship research and participation in the city’s Louisville Resilience Strategy, I grounded my civic work in listening, trust building, and bridging gaps across languages and cultures.

Bridging the Digital Divide

Later, I served as Digital Inclusion Manager for Louisville Metro Government, where I led our city’s strategy to close the digital divide. I coordinated partnerships across libraries, nonprofits, workforce programs, health services, and private sector actors to ensure access to three pillars of digital inclusion: connectivity, devices, and skills. I also oversaw device donation and redistribution pipelines, community outreach efforts, and grant programs to help low‑income households connect. My work has been cited by Louisville Public Media in stories on internet affordability and digital disparity, and by national networks like Next Century Cities for the model we built in Louisville.

A Venture into Electoral Service

In 2024, I took my civic commitment into the political arena, running in the primary for Kentucky House District 29. Though I was not ultimately chosen as the nominee, that campaign deepened my understanding of constituent concerns, policy process, and community mobilization. My platform centered on strengthening infrastructure, improving public education, and elevating inclusion — all rooted in my experience connecting individuals and communities to resources.

What I Believe & Where I’m Headed

My worldview is shaped by a conviction that technology is a tool—not a solution unto itself—and that meaningful progress depends on centering people, relationships, and local voices. I believe in designing public systems that meet people where they are, reducing friction and removing barriers. Today, I continue working at the intersection of public policy, technology, and equity: whether through consulting, coalition building, advocacy, or project leadership. I’m always open to mission‑driven partnerships, speaking opportunities, and community collaborations.