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Alvarys Santana

Title: Councilmember

Municipality: City of Concord

Positions Interested In: At Large - Elected Officials

 

Q&A's:

TELL US WHY YOU WOULD LIKE TO SERVE IN A LEADERSHIP POSITION AT THE LEAGUE. IN PARTICULAR, SPECIFY GOALS YOU WOULD LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH AS AN OFFICER OR BOARD MEMBER AND INDICATE HOW, IF ATTAINED, THEY WILL HELP TO ACHIEVE VISION 2030 – THE LEAGUE’S FUTURE VISION OF HOW CITIES AND TOWNS WILL OPERATE IN 2030?

I am a business and program management leader with experience across government, corporate, and nonprofit sectors. I grew up in the Bronx, New York, and chose to build my life in Concord, North Carolina because of its strong sense of community and opportunity for families. That decision has shaped both my personal and professional commitment to public service.

Throughout my career, I have focused on helping organizations operate more effectively through strategic planning, data-informed decision-making, and strong operational execution. As the founder of a consulting firm, I support government agencies and institutions with research, program development, and strategy. In the private sector, I have led large-scale initiatives, managed multi-million-dollar budgets, and delivered measurable improvements in performance, efficiency, and growth.

My work in the community has always been a core part of who I am. I serve on the Cabarrus County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, where I support youth prevention and early intervention efforts and chair the Aspire program within the monitoring committee. I also serve on the board of La Coalición and contribute to housing advocacy efforts through We Build Concord and Freedom Fighting Missionaries, supporting families, students, and returning citizens facing housing instability.

I am seeking to serve in a leadership role with the North Carolina League of Municipalities because I want to bring this community-centered work into the government space in a more direct and structured way. I have seen firsthand how strong partnerships between community organizations and local government can improve outcomes, but I have also seen gaps in understanding and coordination. I want to help bridge that gap.
My goal is to strengthen partnerships so communities better understand how local government works and how to engage with it effectively. I also want to support municipalities in improving operational systems, making informed decisions, and using resources in ways that directly benefit residents.

In alignment with Vision 2030, I am focused on helping municipalities build stronger connections with their communities, improve transparency, and create systems that are responsive, efficient, and forward-looking. I believe local government works best when it is both accessible and accountable, and I am committed to helping cities and towns move in that direction..

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A MUNICIPAL OFFICIAL. YOU MAY WANT TO INCLUDE INFORMATION ON YOUR SERVICE ON THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNING BODY, OTHER RELATED BOARDS AND SPECIAL AREAS OF INTEREST?

I was elected to serve in December 2025, and while I am early in my tenure as a municipal official, I bring a strong foundation of experience that directly supports effective governance and public service.

My approach to municipal leadership is grounded in both my professional background and my long-standing community involvement. I currently serve on the Cabarrus County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, where I support youth prevention and early intervention strategies and chair the Aspire program within the monitoring committee. This role has given me direct exposure to how local systems operate, how funding decisions are made, and how coordinated efforts across agencies can improve outcomes for young people.

In addition, I serve on the board of La Coalición, where I contribute to advocacy and community engagement efforts, and I support housing-focused initiatives through We Build Concord and Freedom Fighting Missionaries. These roles have allowed me to work closely with residents, service providers, and local stakeholders, deepening my understanding of community needs and the barriers that often exist between residents and government systems.

Professionally, I have led large-scale programs, managed multi-million-dollar budgets, and worked with government agencies on strategy, procurement, and program development. I have experience navigating complex regulatory environments, aligning stakeholders, and ensuring accountability in how resources are allocated and used. These skills are directly applicable to municipal governance, particularly in areas such as budgeting, operational oversight, and strategic planning.

Since taking office, I have focused on listening, learning, and building relationships with staff, fellow elected officials, and community members. My priority is to quickly translate my experience into effective service by contributing to informed decision-making, supporting transparent processes, and helping strengthen the connection between local government and the community.

While I am new to elected office, my combined experience across community leadership, public sector collaboration, and operational management positions me to contribute meaningfully and immediately in a municipal leadership role.

 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND, PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE, AND/OR COMMUNITY OR CIVIC ACTIVITIES?

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a Pre-Law focus from Hunter College and a Master of Business Administration from Fayetteville State University. I have also completed executive and professional certifications in leadership, ethics, and decision-making through nationally recognized institutions, which have strengthened my ability to lead in complex and high-accountability environments.


Professionally, I bring experience across corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors. I am the founder of a consulting firm that supports government agencies and organizations through social science research, strategic analysis, and program development. My work focuses on helping institutions operate more effectively, make informed decisions, and implement programs that deliver measurable outcomes.


In the private sector, I have held senior leadership roles within a Fortune 50 company where I managed large-scale initiatives, led cross-functional teams, and oversaw multi-million-dollar budgets. I have experience in procurement, operational strategy, and performance improvement, with a strong track record of increasing efficiency, strengthening systems, and delivering results. My work has included managing complex projects, improving vendor performance, and aligning operations with broader organizational goals.


My community and civic involvement is a core part of my work. I serve on the Cabarrus County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, where I support youth prevention and early intervention efforts and chair the Aspire program within the monitoring committee. I also serve on the board of La Coalición, contributing to advocacy and community engagement, and I support housing initiatives through We Build Concord and Freedom Fighting Missionaries, focusing on individuals and families experiencing housing instability.


Across all of my work, I remain focused on building stronger connections between communities and institutions, improving access to resources, and ensuring that systems are responsive to the people they serve.

HAVE YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING NCLM EVENTS OR COMMITTEES?

  • Town & State Dinner or Town Hall Days
  • Regional Meetings

 

PLEASE PROVIDE ANY OTHER INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE THE NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER?

I know that I am early in my tenure as an elected official and do not yet have the depth of direct government experience that others may bring. I am very aware of that, and I approach this opportunity with humility and a strong willingness to learn.


At the same time, my experience has been built working alongside communities and within systems that interact with government every day. I have partnered with agencies, supported program development, and worked on initiatives that require navigating public processes, funding structures, and accountability measures. That has given me a practical understanding of how government functions, but also a clear view of where there are gaps between systems and the people they are meant to serve.


I believe there is real value in having leadership that is not solely shaped by long-term time inside government. There needs to be balance. Communities benefit when there are voices at the table who bring lived experience, operational knowledge, and a direct connection to how policies show up in real life. I bring that perspective.


My work has always been rooted in community. Whether through youth prevention efforts, housing advocacy, or program strategy, I have spent years listening to residents, understanding challenges, and working to connect people to systems that can support them. That experience has also shown me that many people do not fully understand how local government works or how to engage with it, and that gap creates missed opportunities.


I want to help close that gap. I want to contribute to conversations that are grounded, practical, and reflective of real community needs. I am committed to learning quickly, leading thoughtfully, and bringing an authentic voice that helps strengthen the connection between municipalities and the people they serve.