| Santiago Mellado | |
| Birth Date: | 6 April 1963 |
| Birth Place: | Santa Ana, El Salvador |
| Alma Mater: | Harvard University |
| Occupation: | President and CEO of Compassion International |
| Years Active: | 2013–present |
| Boards: | Compassion InternationalFuller Theological Seminary |
| Spouse: | Leanne (m. 1986) |
| Children: | Ester and son-in-law Matt, Elisabeth and son-in-law Matthew, Davy and daughter-in-law Rachel. |
Santiago "Jimmy" Heriberto Mellado (born April 6, 1963[1]) is a Salvadoran-American non-profit executive and former athlete. He is currently the President and CEO of Compassion International, a Christian holistic child development organization dedicated to the long-term development of children living in poverty around the world, which is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado.[2] Mellado previously served as president of the Willow Creek Association (WCA) in South Barrington, Illinois, from 1993 to 2013.[3] He also competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics and 1987 Pan American Games as a decathlete.[1] He serves as a trustee for Fuller Theological Seminary and on the board of directors for the National Association of Evangelicals. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Art of the Olympians.[4]
Mellado graduated cum laude with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Southern Methodist University in 1985.[5] He later graduated from Harvard Business School in 1991. While he was at Harvard, he wrote a case study on the Willow Creek Community Church which has become a part of the curriculum at Harvard Business School.[6] [7]
Mellado competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, representing his birth nation, El Salvador, in the decathlon.[1] He placed 26th of 42 athletes who qualified,[8] and set six national records for the highest-ever performance in the decathlon, men's high jump, 400m, 110m high hurdles, pole vault, and javelin.[9] The decathlon record still stands years later.
Mellado competed in the 1987 Pan American Games and placed fourth in the decathlon.[5]
Mellado became the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Compassion International in 2013 when he replaced retiring CEO Wess Stafford.[2] In 2019, Mellado's annual compensation was $419,184 according to the organization's IRS filings.[10]
He and his wife, Leanne, were married in 1986. They have three children, one daughter-in-law, two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren.