Santiago A. Rodriguez, RICP®, CLTC®, LTCP, DIA, DIF
President, Cristero Financial, Inc.
Insurance Advisor & Retirement Planning Advisor
With more than 25 years of experience in insurance and financial services, Santiago A. Rodriguez is dedicated to helping individuals, families, and business owners navigate important financial decisions with confidence and clarity.
As Founder and President of Cristero Financial, Inc., Santiago specializes in retirement planning, insurance solutions, long-term care planning, income protection, and financial security strategies. His approach emphasizes integrity, discipline, and personalized service, helping clients align financial decisions with their goals, priorities, and long-term security.
Throughout his career, Santiago has held leadership roles in both banking and financial services, including senior leadership positions with major financial institutions and advisory organizations. This experience provides a broad perspective across risk management, retirement planning, insurance, and long-term financial strategy.
Santiago holds several professional designations, including Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®), Certified in Long-Term Care (CLTC®), Long-Term Care Professional (LTCP), Disability Income Associate (DIA), and Disability Income Fellow (DIF). He has also served in leadership roles with the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), including President of NAIFA Kankakee Valley and Director on the NAIFA Illinois State Board. He is a graduate of NAIFA's Leadership in Life Institute (LILI) and a three-time Financial Security Advocate, recognized for his commitment to advancing financial literacy and consumer protection.
Beyond his profession, Santiago has been an active member of the Knights of Columbus since 2008. He has served as Past Grand Knight of St. Viateur Council No. 745 and currently serves as Captain of the Bishop Martin McNamara Assembly No. 202, Fourth Degree. Through these leadership roles, he has participated in numerous charitable initiatives benefiting local communities, Catholic parishes, families, and individuals throughout the Kankakee Valley and Chicagoland region.
Santiago believes that financial security is not a luxury but a foundation for living with confidence, purpose, and peace of mind. He remains committed to providing principled guidance and building lasting relationships grounded in trust, consistency, accountability, and service.