André Santana adores narrators and believes PANA can propel positive change in the audiobook industry. That’s why he’s been part of the PANA DEI team since its inception, stepped into the team lead role, and answered the call to fill an interim board seat partway through 2024. 

As a narrator, he’s recorded over 100 titles across most major publishers and producers and has worked as a director, mentor, and coach. André values all the different ways narrators arrive at this work. He loves that, as a Gen Z queer person of color, he’s positioned to bring his perspective to the table and find the plentiful points where narrators’ needs and dreams overlap.

As a Board member, he’s a spreadsheet guy who loves a plan, drawing not only from years of helming higher education committees but also 4 years of human resources experience, 6 years of difficult dialogue moderation, half a decade of “train-the-trainers” education in Diversity & Equity, a degree in statistical research and identity development, and more that he’s thrilled to bring to this role.

He’s proud to have worked alongside the DEI team to launch the Co-Narration Standards, planned a Human Voices campaign with fellow board members, and contributed to the Recognitions Programs. With every successful launch, André becomes more excited about what a healthy and unified PANA can achieve.

André just wants to see things work, and he’s proud of the journey PANA has gone through to find its footing and carve a space in the audiobook industry. This organization is filled with passionate, competent volunteers ready to help their peers thrive and uplift what we all love about this industry. United, we can crack open myths about our work, make the importance of the human voice unmistakeable, and cement safety as a paramount part of our culture.