Rod Santiago

Central Executive Officer (CEO)

Rod joined Archway Community Services in 2010 after 20 plus years of experience in senior-level leadership roles within the non-profit sector. He was drawn to Archway because of the agency’s far reaching stellar reputation, vast scope and its innovative staff. He instantly bonded with Archway’s mission of “fostering community well-being and social justice through positive action and leadership.”

Rod has an Executive MBA from SFU and a BA in Religious Studies from TWU. He has also practiced embodied leadership, collective impact and community change, and intercultural dispute resolution.

Rod loves working alongside people who are so passionate about amplifying the voices of the people they get to work with; staff, volunteers and partners who go the extra mile and who somehow manage to laugh and cry along the journey of seeking “justice, opportunities and equitable access for all”. He is part of various Archway committees including the Board of Governance, Finance, Nominations, Board Development, Strategic Planning, and the Shared Leadership Team.

He is the Past Chair on the Board of Community Social Services Employers Association of BC (CSSEA), and has served on the Advisory Committee of Peace and Conflict Studies at UFV, the Hub of the Fraser Valley Community Advisory Board of  Abbotsford City Council, and as the Facilitator for the Abbotsford Collaborative Services Committee. 

Rod has been an Abbotsford resident for over 20 years except for when he – with his family – lived in Uzbekistan for six years working as an international community developer.

He savours the great outdoors through hiking, camping, cycling, canoeing and snowshoeing. He dabbles in epicurean cuisines (some cooking, lots of eating) and loves to experience the world one-culture-at-a-time through travelling (preferably with a backpack on). He lives with his wife and love of over 30 years and enjoys quality relationship with his kids and granddaughters.