District 4

Commissioner Martha Santiago, Ed.D. was first elected to the County Commission in November 2018 and re-elected in November 2022. In 2020, Commissioner Santiago was selected as Vice Chair and in 2021 as Chair by the commissioners.  

She continues to focus on economic development, growth and infrastructure and community safety.

Martha Santiago is the owner of Leadership Consultants, LLC. In 2017, she ended her long career in education, which began in 1978. She worked as a teacher, school administrator and district administrator in the Polk County School System. At Polk State College, she was a Board of Trustee, Dean of Academic Affairs and Provost.  Today, she continues to serve on various community boards.

In 2022, she was recognized by three county organizations, Polk Vision, Lakeland Junior League and Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce with their highest honors awarded for her significant contributions to the community.     

Background

• Born in New York
• Resides in Winter Haven
• Husband, Alex, two children and four grandchildren

Hobbies

• Spending time with family
• Traveling
• Reading

Education

• Doctorate degree from the University of South Florida
• Master's degree from Florida International University
• Bachelor's degree from the University of Puerto Rico