Chief Operating Officer

Career highlights

Dr. Santoro earned her PhD in Psychology from UCLA in 2001 after completing a year in Didi Hirsch’s APA-accredited doctoral internship training program. She then pursued a postdoctoral fellowship at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, gaining specialized training in child psychology and assessment. Over her career, she has published research on organizational culture, social support, life stress and information-processing, and taught Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to psychiatry residents at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. She is also an active member of the American Psychological Association.

Connection to the mission

Dr. Santoro’s passion for mental health is deeply personal. Growing up, her family fostered children facing difficult circumstances—including one who tragically died by suicide. This experience continues to fuel her commitment to helping others and advancing mental health care for those in need.

Didi Hirsch roles

Dr. Santoro began her long-standing career at Didi Hirsch as a psychology intern and returned in 2002 to take on a range of increasingly complex leadership roles. She previously served as Program Director of our Glendale Child/Family site, Division Director of Training, overseeing agency-wide staff development and internship programs, and later as Vice President of Quality and Innovation, leading the organization’s efforts on innovation, Quality Improvement, Research and Evaluation, Training, and Grants. In her current role as Chief Operating Officer, she helps guide strategy and operations across the agency, seeking innovative ways to expand and strengthen the services we provide.

Meet Kristine

A scientist at heart and a clinician by training, Kristine is passionate about building equitable systems that support both quality care and the people who deliver it. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and staying curious—about people, research, and how we can all make a greater impact.