Board of Directors
Victoria Juarez, President
Juarez’s experience in the nonprofit sector is extensive. She previously held the role of CEO at the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, where she played a pivotal role in supporting students’ pursuit of higher education. With a Master of Public Administration in Public Policy and Administration from California State University, Long Beach, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from the same institution, Juarez brings a strong educational foundation to her work. She is actively involved as a Santa Barbara Unified parent, a volunteer at Adalente Charter School, and a member of SBEF’s Teacher Grants Committee.
LinkedIn
Melissa White, Vice President
Project Director in Innovation Studies, WestEd
White is currently the Project Director in Innovation Studies at WestEd, where she leads research, evaluation, and technical assistance projects focused on teachers and teaching. Before joining WestEd in 2006, White worked at California Legislative Analyst’s Office, advising on fiscal and policy issues related to childcare, preschool, and K-12 teachers.
Donna Ronzone, Secretary
Retired Educator and School Administrator
Ronzone began as a Library Media Specialist and transitioned to teaching. She then moved into administrative roles until she landed on the West Coast as the Director of Special Education for Briggs Elementary School District in Ventura County. In 2004, she joined Santa Barbara Unified School District, where she spent 14 years as Principal of Roosevelt Elementary School and later as the Director of Visual and Performing Arts and Director of Assessment and Accountability until her retirement in 2018. Ronzone holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master’s in Library & Information Science from Drexel University, and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and an elementary teaching credential from St. Joseph’s University.
Roxane Maiko Byrne, PhD
Director of Student Equity and Engagement Programs, Santa Barbara City College
With over 25 years of experience in education and nonprofit sectors, Dr. Byrne is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. She holds a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University and a PhD in Human Development from Fielding Graduate University. As the Director of Student Equity and Engagement Programs at Santa Barbara City College, Dr. Byrne leads several initiatives, including the Dream Center for Undocumented Student Success and the Rising Scholars program. Her work is focused on fostering an inclusive environment and has significantly impacted the college community.
Isis Castañeda
Project Coordinator, IV Coalition for Healthy Communities
Castañeda has worked with teens, young adults, and their families in the Santa Barbara area since 1997. A graduate of Santa Barbara High School, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies at Antioch University of Santa Barbara and is certified in Emotional Intelligence, Restorative Justice, Team Building Experiential Education, and as an Instructor for Youth Mental Health First Aid and teen Mental Health First Aid. In 2018, she established her business, Creating Connections, which facilitates teen and parent groups, community outreach, training, public speaking, and organizing events. Castañeda is currently the staff advisor for the Santa Barbara Youth Council and the project coordinator for the Isla Vista Coalition for Healthy Communities.
Eva Maria Catalan
Associate Program Director, Future Leaders of America
As the Associate Program Director at Future Leaders of America, Catalan has been instrumental in delivering comprehensive services to students in grades 8 through 12. Alongside her professional commitments, she leads the Youth Wellness Coalition, a collective of community leaders in Santa Barbara. Through the coalition, she spearheads efforts to educate and prevent underage alcohol and drug usage among the city’s youth, emphasizing the importance of a healthy and safe environment.
Diana Ciontea
Vice President of Finance, ProductPlan
Diana Ciontea leads Financial Planning and Analysis at FastSpring, an eCommerce platform headquartered in downtown Santa Barbara. She has experience guiding financial and strategic efforts across a broad range of corporate environments, including Fortune 500 companies and high-tech startups. As a volunteer for Reading to Kids, Ciontea is dedicated to inspiring underserved children with a love of reading by partnering with schools and parents. Ciontea is a Santa Barbara native and a graduate of San Marcos High School. She holds a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in Business from the University of Southern California.
Chelsea Pacino Duffy
Executive Director, Partners in Education
Serving as the Executive Director of Partners in Education, Chelsea Pacino Duffy brings over a decade of experience in coordinating educational services within the Santa Barbara County Education Office. Her work includes providing free computer access, job readiness training, and guest speaker programs for local schools. Duffy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from the University of San Diego and a Certificate in Organizational and Leadership Coaching from Northwestern University. As a parent of two Santa Barbara unified students, she is dedicated to promoting educational equity and community engagement in our public schools.
Tisha Weber-Ford Jones
CEO, Weber Logistics
After living in Santa Barbara for over 30 years, Ford is an active member of the community and has had the opportunity to serve many nonprofits as a volunteer, board member, and donor. As a board member, she has experience in development, finance, and governance from her tenure on the Board of Trustees at Marymount School of Santa Barbara. There she chaired the Development Committee, the Committee on Trustees, the Head Search Committee, and served as Board Chair. Ford currently serves as CEO at Weber Logistics.
Stephanie Ramírez Zárate
District Director, Office of CA State Senator Monique Limón
Ramírez Zárate currently serves as the District Director for California State Senator Monique Limón. Ramírez Zárate earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Public Policy from UCLA, after transferring from Santa Barbara City College. While studying at UCLA, she served on the board for IDEAS, a student advocacy group that supported undocumented students.
District Representatives
Dr. Hilda Maldonado, District Representative
Superintendent, Santa Barbara Unified School District
Maldonado began her career 32 years ago in Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) as a bilingual teacher and rose to the role of Associate Superintendent. Under her leadership, LAUSD expanded dual-language programs, increased Seal of Biliteracy student awards, and improved results for English Learners. Maldonado earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s Degree from California State, Los Angeles. A lifelong learner, Maldonado has been awarded the Stanton Fellowship Award by the Durfee Foundation. She is currently completing her doctorate at Loyola Marymount University in Social Justice Leadership.
William Banning, District Representative
Vice President, Santa Barbara Unified School District
William “Bill” Banning is the current Vice President of the Santa Barbara Unified School District and a passionate advocate for public education. He has served in many notable educational leadership positions in his 40-year career, including Assistant Principal, Principal, and Assistant Superintendent, before his final role as Superintendent of the Goleta Union School District. Though he retired in 2017, Banning has dedicated his time to improving education for students in Santa Barbara. He has a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and Organizational Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education.
Clanci Chiu, District Representative
Principal, Goleta Valley Junior High School
A product of local schools, Chiu earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a secondary teaching credential from UC Santa Barbara. She began teaching in 1990, instructing math at several Santa Barbara district schools, including La Cumbre Junior High, Santa Barbara Junior High, and San Marcos High School. Later transitioning into administration, she served as Director of Curriculum & Instruction at the Santa Barbara County Education Office. Currently, Chiu serves as Principal of Goleta Valley Junior High, where she continues to inspire students and foster strong community connections.
Brett Larsen, District Representative
Teacher, Roosevelt Elementary School
Brett Larsen is a longtime music educator in the Santa Barbara Unified School District. He holds a B.A. in Music from UC Santa Barbara and an M.Ed. from California Lutheran University. With over 15 years of teaching experience, Brett has witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of arts education on students and the vital role community support plays in making it possible. Outside the classroom, he is an avid runner with Santa Barbara Running and Racing and a musician who performs with Paper Moon and often with Spencer the Gardener.
Honorary Council
Ed & Sue Birch
Daniel & Mandy Hochman
Jim Kearns
Sara Miller McCune
Joni Meisel
Nick Rail
Ambassadors
Debbie Arnesen
Cindy Becker
Kathy Bette
Marie Dassler
Cornelia Davis
Christine Garvey
Marilyn Gilbert
Susan Gulbranson
Victoria Juarez
Rodda Leonardi
Courtney Lockwood
Lois Phillips
Jo Saxon
Sandy Schoolfield
Lisa Wysel
Past Presidents
Mat Gradias
Terri Allison
Marty Blum
Phil Bugay
Ada Conner
Michael Cooney
Tony Fischer
Mary Gosselin
Shirley Ann Hurley
Mark Ingalls
Elinor Langer
Joni Meisel
Edwin Moore
Al Pizano
Craig Price
Rob Ramirez
Jaqueline Reid, Ph.D.
John Robinson
Lynn Rodriguez
Frank Stevens
Claire VanBlaricum
Lotte Weinstein
Legacy Society
Debbie Arnesen
Shirley Ann Hurley *
Maggie Mason
Sara Miller McCune
Tina Hansen McEnroe
April Thede
Margie Yahyavi *
* Indicates members who have passed away
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