Sandylane Oquendo

2026-2027 Obama Foundation USA Leader

Headshot of Sandylane Oquendo, 2026-2027 Obama Foundation USA Leader

Senior Program Officer, Economic Development and U.S. Territories, Rural Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)

Humacao, Puerto Rico

Sandylane Oquendo is the senior program officer, economic development, and U.S. territories at Rural LISC, a national nonprofit helping forge resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across rural America through economic development, affordable housing, and community-centered investment. Sandylane proposed and helped establish the organization’s first dedicated role focused on the U.S. territories, building a portfolio of $1.6M and leading efforts across Puerto Rico and Guam to strengthen locally rooted economic and community development ecosystems.

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Meet the 2026-2027 United States Leaders

Adrian Lipscombe thumbnail

Adrian Lipscombe

Austin, Texas
Ahmed Badr thumbnail

Ahmed Badr

Madison, Connecticut
Alejandro Miranda thumbnail

Alejandro Miranda

Madison, Wisconsin
Allie Utley thumbnail

Allie Utley

Overland Park, Kansas
Amanda Swope thumbnail

Amanda Swope

Tulsa, Oklahoma
Amara Manoogian thumbnail

Amara Manoogian

Washington, District of Columbia
Angelica Salinas thumbnail

Angelica Salinas

Oak Creek, Colorado
Berto Aguayo thumbnail

Berto Aguayo

Chicago, Illinois
Caroline Hutton thumbnail

Caroline Hutton

Washington, District of Columbia
Chastity Bowick thumbnail

Chastity Bowick

Columbus, Ohio
Deja Foxx thumbnail

Deja Foxx

Tucson, Arizona
Elizabeth Toba Pearlman thumbnail

Elizabeth "Toba" Pearlman

Chicago, Illinois
Erin Wilson thumbnail

Erin Wilson

Alexandria, Virginia
Jade Begay, Diné and Tesuque Pueblo thumbnail

Jade Begay, Diné and Tesuque Pueblo

Santa Fe, New Mexico
Jahnavi Rao thumbnail

Jahnavi Rao

Berwyn, Pennsylvania
Jamila Trimuel thumbnail

Jamila Trimuel

Chicago, Illinois
Jenna Cargile thumbnail

Jenna Cargile

Clarksville, Tennessee
Joshua JP Peters thumbnail

Joshua “JP” Peters

Chicago, Illinois
Joshua Manske thumbnail

Joshua Manske

Algona, Iowa
Juan Diego JD Mazuera Arias thumbnail

Juan Diego “JD” Mazuera Arias

Charlotte, North Carolina
Keaton Sunchild thumbnail

Keaton Sunchild

Great Falls, Montana
Kellyn King thumbnail

Kellyn King

Simi Valley, California
Khalil Thompson thumbnail

Khalil Thompson

Washington, District of Columbia
Landon-Mascareñaz thumbnail

Landon Mascareñaz

Denver, Colorado
Larissa Larz May thumbnail

Larissa “Larz” May

San Francisco, California
Laura Grannemann thumbnail

Laura Grannemann

Detroit, Michigan
Laura Restrepo thumbnail

Laura Restrepo

Horsham, Pennsylvania
Lauren Click thumbnail

Lauren Click

Phoenix, Arizona
Lonnie Scott thumbnail

Lonnie Scott

Gainesville, Florida
Lucas Schleusener thumbnail

Lucas Schleusener

Washington, District of Columbia
María José Ramírez Braíz thumbnail

María José Ramírez Braíz

St. Joseph, Missouri
Mary Margo Franz thumbnail

Mary “Margo” Franz

Seattle, Washington
Matt Hildreth thumbnail

Matt Hildreth

Key Center, Washington
Nalleli Cobo-Uriarte thumbnail

Nalleli Cobo-Uriarte

Los Angeles, California
Naomi Henigin thumbnail

Naomi Henigin

Hampton, Virginia
Ora Nitkin-Kaner thumbnail

Ora Nitkin-Kaner

New Orleans, Louisiana
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More about the Leaders Program

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Leaders

For emerging leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the common good.

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  • The Center
  • Building the Center
Future water terrace to honor Ann Dunham will feature Maya Lin sculpture
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  • Defending Democracy
  • Leaders
Copenhagen Democracy Summit
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  • Barack Obama
Watch: President Obama shares the vision of the presidential center
Watch President Obama share his vision for the Obama Presidential Center during a surprise visit with supporters and stakeholders—a vision for a public space that will honor history, help revitalize the South Side, and connect people throughout the communi
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