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ODI Staff Spotlight: Dan Santiago-Stewart
By Rena Micklewright
UCS Office of Diversity and Inclusion
 Dan Santiago-Stewart joined the staff of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) in February 2021, after many years of working in courts, from the 9th JD to NYC. In this ODI spotlight, Dan shares a bit about his career path, what he’s learned along the way, and his love of Paris!
Dan, how did you come to work for the UCS?
Funny story. In the early 1990s, my mom was taking a civil service test for the court system. She was nervous and wanted support, and asked if I would sign up for the test, so that we could be there together. I did, and pretty much forgot about it. A few years later, I received an envelope in the mail with the results. I got a high score on the test and was soon called for an interview. The position paid more than I’d been making at my job at the time, so I accepted the job at Dutchess County Family court. I started in January 1996, and I’m happy to say it was a great decision, at least for me – although she is the reason I’m working here, my mom never did wind up working for the court system!
You began as a Senior Court Office Assistant in the 9th Judicial District, almost 30 years ago. Tell us about the path that brought you to ODI and the job that you do today:
I began as a Grade 12 and was incredibly fortunate to work for some wonderful bosses along the way. My first Chief Clerk, Jim Bouchey (who is retired), became a mentor. He encouraged me to take the test for the Grade 16 position, in order to move up. I did well on that test, and went to work for a while in Westchester, in White Plains City Court and then Westchester Family Court. I made my way back to Dutchess County Family Court, and worked there for 7 more years before I decided to go to Orange Supreme. I wanted to learn more about the administrative side of the courts and the Chief Clerk there (Tom Adams) allowed me to do that. It was an all-hands-on-deck environment, and he wanted me to know how to handle everything. After Tom retired, Eileen Stanford became the Chief Clerk, and she refined what I had learned.
I went back to college and finished my degree, because I wanted to become a manager. I applied for positions whenever there were openings and went on lots of interviews. During this time, I continued to gain a broad base of experience and knowledge of court operations. The next logical step for me was to take the Senior Court Clerk exam, and expand the job location preference to include positions within NYC (a 2-hour commute from my home in the northern part of the 9th JD). In 2015 I was offered a position at NY Supreme Court, Civil, in the motion support part.
I was enjoying the job at NY Supreme, when colleagues suggested that I apply for a position at OCA in the Education and Training Unit, part of the Division of Human Resources. It was the hardest interview I’ve ever done! The process was very challenging, and I was almost in tears at times, but two months later, I was offered the position. In 2016 I became a Court Clerk Training Specialist, providing training for Court Clerks and other nonjudicial personnel, on a statewide basis. With others from the Education and Training Unit (now called Training and Professional Development), we did a variety of trainings in various JDs, and at the conferences for the Clerks’ Associations. I loved it – and then Covid-19 happened, and everything stopped. During the 2020 period, I was asked to help out in HR, managing the applications for Covid Leave. And then, in early 2021, I moved over to ODI.
What does “diversity and inclusion” mean to you, and what part of the ODI mission do you feel most connected to?
Having worked in the courts for many years, when I read the Jeh Johnson report in 2020, I thought “yes, it’s true.” There are problems that we need to figure out, and being in ODI gives me a chance to make it better, to be part of the change. All of us are diverse in different ways, but we are more than just that part of our identity, and it’s important to recognize that there is strength in valuing our differences.
What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most?
I really enjoy the cultural awareness programs that we put together, for Black History Month, Pride Month, and other observances. A lot goes into them, and each one is special. Last year, I was the moderator for our Hispanic Heritage Month program, and that was a lot of fun. I’ve also really enjoyed getting back into trainer-mode a bit this year, through the Professional Development Academy that ODI has been a part of. And being on interview panels, sitting on the other side of that table and getting to see others move up, has given me a different perspective on that process.
Outside of work, what are your interests?
Although I was raised in Manhattan, I’ve called Orange County home for many years, and I enjoy spending time there with my husband, our teenage son, and three dogs, enjoying everything the beautiful Hudson Valley has to offer. I also love to travel. A favorite vacation spot of mine is Paris. We have visited there a couple of times and feel It’s truly a magical place! A few years ago, we decided to rent an apartment instead of staying at a hotel. This way we could experience the city like real Parisians. There was a transit strike at the time, so we ended up walking everywhere. We saw every arrondissement (neighborhood) in the city, and it was amazing. I would return to Paris anytime, but our next trip will be to Portugal!
Dan and his family, visiting Paris in 2018.
How do you stay motivated? Is there any advice or philosophy that you’d like to share?
Stick with it! My path has been long and difficult, but worth it. I never could have imagined that a shy kid like me, who was terrified to speak in front of people and always preferred to stay behind the scenes, would become so comfortable doing presentations and programs for large groups. It’s ironic, but I love that this is what I do now, and hope that I can be an example and mentor to others.
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