Neal Santos

“There's an element of vulnerability that is able to break down barriers, build connection, and thus is key to being able to build community.”

Whether it is engaging people, brands, companies or communities, vulnerability and inclusivity have always been at the forefront of Neal’s work. While simultaneously working as a photojournalist for 12 years (Philadelphia Daily News, Inquirer, City Paper, Philadelphia Magazine) he also helps run a small-scale urban farm next to his home in Southwest Philly with his husband, Andrew. Founded in 2008, Farm51 has been in operation through the years where they grow vegetables, flowers, and raise chickens for eggs that are then distributed to their immediate neighborhood. 

Neal’s passion for seeking intersections between food and culture also led him to start first Pelago, then LALO. Pelago is a series of Filipino food pop-up events that have led to LALO, a small Filipino restaurant formerly located within the Bourse Food Hall in Old City. Whether it is food, photography, or farming, Neal believes that you should always engage your core values, and spark others to do the same.

What does leadership mean to you?

“Leadership in its essence, is the ability to communicate and share your purest, truest self with people. There's an element of vulnerability that is able to break down barriers, build connection, and thus is key to being able to build community. This has always been in the forefront of my work whether it is engaging people, brands, companies and communities as a photographer, farmer, or a restauranteur. With whatever avenue or path of work you find yourself in, seeing yourself in the role as a leader, carrying out a mission through leadership should always engage your core values, and spark others to do the same.”

Biography:

Neal is a photographer and farmer and entrepreneur. While simultaneously working as a photojournalist for 12 years (Philadelphia Daily News, Inquirer, City Paper, Philadelphia Magazine) he also helps run a small-scale urban farm next to his home in Southwest Philly with his husband, Andrew. Founded in 2008, Farm51 has been in operation through the years where they grew vegetables, flowers, and raise chickens for eggs that are then distributed to their immediate neighborhood. Furthermore, his passion for seeking intersections between food and culture has led him to start first Pelago, then LALO. Pelago being a series of Filipino food pop-up events that have led to LALO, a small Filipino restaurant formerly located within the Bourse Food Hall in Old City.