Chief Deputy Zuleyda (Zuly) Santana embodies a lifelong commitment to public service, rooted in her deep-seated desire to uplift and support others. From her humble beginnings as a teenager in an immigrant family, she recognized the pressing needs within her community and took proactive steps to address them.

Commencing her journey in public service at the age of 17, Mrs. Santana embarked on a path dedicated to serving vulnerable populations. Her tenure at the Los Angeles County Department of Community and Senior Services, later known as the Workforce Development, Aging, and Community Services (WDACS), saw her evolve as a young leader always going above and beyond. She split her time between school and public service and worked her way up the ranks in the administrative field.

Mrs. Santana came to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs in Spring of 2023 as a former key business operations advisor for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, where she helped ensure that the day-to-day operations of three diverse bureaus, comprised of Administrative Services, Fire Prevention, and Special Services ran smoothly.

As a senior leader of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, she spearheaded transformative initiatives within the Administrative Services Division. Her visionary leadership has led to the implementation of robust compliance protocols, fostering accountability and transparency. Moreover, she has fostered a culture of mentorship, creating an inclusive and empowering work environment that prioritizes exceptional customer service for department personnel, vendors, and the public.

Mrs. Santana’s forward-thinking approach transcends conventional boundaries, allowing her to devise innovative solutions and secure optimal outcomes.