Dr. Dominic Cappello
Co-Director, 100% New Mexico

Dr. Dominic Cappello is a New York Times bestselling author and public health advocate whose work spans the fields of health, safety, education, and systems change. He earned his doctorate from New Mexico State University’s College of Health, Education, and Social Transformation, where his research centered on community engagement and capacity-building to increase access to vital services. He also holds a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies, with a concentration in Language and Communication, from Regis University.

Dr. Cappello’s professional experience includes service with the New Mexico Department of Health’s Epidemiology and Response Division and the New Mexico Child Protective Services Research, Assessment, and Data Bureau. In these roles, he co-developed the Data Leader for Child Welfare program, subsequently implemented in New York City, Connecticut, and New Mexico. His Ten Talks series on family safety achieved national prominence following his appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, underscoring his commitment to public awareness and prevention.

He is the co-author of Anna, Age Eight: The Data-Driven Prevention of Childhood Trauma and Maltreatment, a publication that inspired the creation of the Anna, Age Eight Institute in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he serves as co-director. Together with Dr. Katherine Ortega Courtney, he also co-authored 100% Community: Operationalizing the Social Determinants of Health and The 100% Community Model: The Art and Science of Ensuring Ten Vital Services for Surviving and Thriving. Their publications guide local leadership in achieving collective impact through fully resourced, family-centered communities. He is an advocate for harnessing human ingenuity and AI-driven innovation to strengthen systems of governance that serve the common good. Email:  cappello@nmsu.edu