Fernando Giraldo is a visionary leader in the field of probation, currently serving as the Chief Probation Officer for the Santa Cruz County Probation Department with a tenure dating back to 1995. In this role, he has oversight over Adult and Pretrial Services, Juvenile Services, and the Juvenile Institution, directing a dedicated team of 137 professionals and managing a substantial $36 million budget.   With a master’s degree in Social Work from San Jose State University and a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from The University of California, Santa Cruz, Fernando brings a rich educational background to his work. His journey is rooted in his heritage as the son of immigrant parents who arrived in the United States from Colombia, South America.