Santo Cruz

Santo Cruz came to CentraCare in April 2018 as Associate General Counsel and Vice President of Community and Government Relations. In June 2020, Cruz accepted the position for Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer.

Prior to joining CentraCare, he was Deputy Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Earlier state service included roles as Assistant Commissioner and General Counsel for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Attorney for the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Cruz began his legal career as a prosecutor for Hennepin County. He earned his bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, where he currently is an adjunct professor.

He serves on a number of non-profit and government boards and committees including the Minnesota Hospital Association Legal Board.

Before moving to the Cities, Santo grew up in rural Stearns County, and along with his wife, is now busy raising five daughters in rural Wright County.