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Contents
62.For the Women and Girls
The locally hatched Giving List Women org is gaining momentum nationally. And well-known names in philanthropy are lining up to lend support. How does GLW hope to change things for Women and Girls? For one thing by getting them paid the same as their male counterparts. Gwyn Lurie walks us through how the ladies are leveling up.
84.Image Conscious
Something interesting happens when women sign up for a photo session at Lucia Kiel’s studio: they feel a radical sense of self-worth. No mere glamor shots, these are transformative photographic experiences.
94.She Means Business
From medicine to marketing, design to AI, meet the women transforming our community with intelligence, creativity, and impact. These leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs prove that success is driven by purpose, powered by connection, and defined by resilience.
200.The Very Cunning Sara Miller McCune
Sara Miller McCune began her publishing empire at the age of 24, following a parting of the ways from tabloid titan Robert Maxwell. Today McCune is McCunning as ever, has turned down billions for her empire, and is one of the great benefactors of Santa Barbara and Ventura. As McCune approaches 85, is it still okay to call her a “girl boss”?
210.The Master of Fine Arts
If you’ve seen any superstar musicians, artists, or speakers at SB performance spaces, there’s a good chance you owe much thanks to Celesta Billeci, the Miller McCune Exec Director of UCSB Arts & Lectures. After 25 years of incredible success “bringing the world to Santa Barbara,” she is passing the baton. We look backwards and forwards with Celesta.
218.Barefoot on the Stage
The latest installment from Hattie Beresford’s “Way It Was” local history series covers iconic dancer Ruth St. Denis, who took inspiration from all over the globe, wowed the people of Santa Barbara, and scandalized everyone by… not wearing shoes? Boy, the times sure do change, don’t they?
242.Peter Pan Goes to Court
Justice is served in the halls of the Santa Barbara County Courthouse, but for the story behind Peter Pan’s cameo in the building’s famed Mural Room, justice is way overdue. Courthouse tour docent Thomas Reynolds clears the air about the Mural Room’s most beloved detail.
252.Mr. Tee
Cotton t-shirts used to be the standard of casual comfort until clothing companies increasingly infused them with polyester. But at Sunspel, pure luxury cotton is all that’s purveyed and Sunspel CEO Raul Verdicchi guides us through the many gradients of cotton greatness.
262.Cocktail Dress
Once one of the minds behind the Roxy clothing label, Lissa Zwahlen Thoeny spends her days creating bold fashion with Aquarius Cocktail and her weekends enjoying Butterfly Beach and the Montecito milieu. Sounds like a perfect combination to us.
268.Hot Nostalgia
Every day, ceramicist Karen Shapiro bakes new creative works in her backyard kiln. Whether making replications of bygone commercial products, or giant M&M’s, she’s not afraid to face the heat.
282.Trade-ing Up
National construction worker shortage got you down? Fear not, for Leslie Meadowcroft-Schipper and her TRADART Foundation is on the case, providing mentorship and career development tracks in construction for young people. After all, someone is going to have to fix all our robot overlords.
296.Sansum, Sutter. Sutter,
Sansum. Two esteemed health clinics have converged into one to become Sansum Clinic, now part of Sutter Health. We talk with some of the cutting-edge doctors there on the forefront of medical virtuosity. The semi pun was somewhat intended.
Photo by Kim Reierson
304.Style Guide
Santa Barbara-based Nina Q is a personal and editorial stylist with one central purpose: She makes people look good. A boundless stockist of all things vintage and fabulous, Nina dishes tips for presenting your best fashioned self.
310.
Wine o’ the Times
Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today to introduce you to a woman named Amy Christine, certified Master of Wine, Los Olivos tasting room personality, and diehard Prince fanatic. Wine critic Jonathan Cristaldi drops in to talk with her about winemaking, life, and laughing in the purple rain.
318.America’s Yacht Talent
As Kenneth Grahame so memorably wrote in The Wind in the Willows, “There is nothing—absolutely nothing—half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” M Group Yachts can help facilitate your own messabout as the summer season is upon us.
326.Eclectic Barge
Ever feel frazzled by the ever-quickening pace of foreign travel? One alternative is the luxury barge L’Impressionniste, which drifts gently through the waterways of France’s Burgundy wine region. There’s no better way to soak in the sumptuous scenery.
327.Gilded Getaways
Montecito is one of the world’s most beautiful places, but we don’t let that stop us from visiting all the world’s glories. Here, we give the scoop on a handful of them to spark your imagination.
334.Falcon Rehab
In the UAE, falconry is kind of a big deal, with deep roots in the local culture. It only makes sense then that Abu Dhabi is home to one of the world’s premier falcon hospitals. Before you check it out, first make sure you’re not a delicious mouse.
336.Kyoto on Parade
Where in the world can you catch a glimpse of authentic historic traditions? The beautiful Japanese city of Kyoto hosts the Jidai Matsuri Festival, where participants wear the same outfits worn hundreds of years prior.
338.Real Estates
If you want your own slice of heaven on earth with ocean views, everlasting lawns, and the latest in home comfort, make this section the place to start your perusal.
Florals by Mindy Rice Design
Contributors
For this special MJ women’s issue, we asked our contributors: Tell us about an unsung woman or female hero who had an impact on your life.
Bill Robens is a professional writer and aspiring bon vivant with several publications to his credit: “I’ve been reading a lot of WWII books lately, so I gotta say Josephine Baker. A big star, she could have fled France, but instead she hung around to blow up Nazi trains. Vive la Josephine!”
Heidi Clements is a former TV writer and current fashion-addicted social media creator: “In 1998, stylist Patricia Field changed everything I thought about fashion when she became the lead costume designer for a little show called Sex and the City. I’m still a Carrie.”
Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter’s Napa man, is the first correspondent to ever appear on their magazine cover (May 2025 Issue): “No argument: Parenting is hard. Dr. Becky Kennedy’s book, Good Inside, reminds us to be patient, to see our kids’ point of view, and to acknowledge their feelings. I’m buying a copy for each and every one of my editors.”
Steven Libowitz has written for the Montecito Journal, Santa Barbara Magazine, the Independent, and even a national syndicate: “My teacher got married over the summer between my first and second grade, back when women invariably took their husband’s last name. Miss Jones became Mrs. Schmachtenberger. That was an early lesson about unconditional love.”
Hattie Beresford has contributed her “The Way It Was” series to Montecito Journal for two decades: “When I first started writing for the Journal, Maria Herold of the Montecito Association History Committee embraced me and taught me the workings of the History Room. Her kindness and welcoming presence were only outdone by her prodigious memory and enthusiasm for her hometown.”
Lynn Kirst is a world traveler who enjoys meeting birds of a different feather: “As a girl, I read Little Women countless times, but only came to appreciate author Louisa May Alcott’s genius as an adult. I’m grateful that she cured me of wanting a pet parrot, thanks to Aunt March’s obnoxious name-calling bird.”
Sophia Kercher is an editor and freelance writer for the likes of The New York Times and Vogue: “As a fellow daughter of Sacramento, Joan Didion helped me imagine a writing life beyond California’s Central Valley. I still aspire to her understated elegance—both in-person and on the page.”
Jeff Wing is an overexcited, conversationally numbing writer bewitched by everything from tap water to the Boötes Void—oxymoronic ordinary life, that is: “The miraculous and doomed New Zealand author Katherine Mansfield wrote a short story called The Garden Party that so articulates my sense of life’s completely unexpected largesse. It has long added atomic weight to everything I write.”
Thomas Reynolds is a writer and recovering lawyer newish to Santa Barbara who owns an art gallery and leads tours of the courthouse and Bellosguardo: “I’ve learned so much about what makes Santa Barbara such a special place from fellow courthouse docent and former mayor Sheila Lodge. She was here—and, at nearly 96, still is.”
Tiana Molony has written for Backpacker, Mountain Gazette, and Business Insider: “Author Anne Lamott taught me that ‘almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts.’ Embracing the rough first draft remains the best advice I’ve ever received as a writer.”
Editor’s Letter
Sisters Doing It for Themselves (But Men Are Invited Too)
One of the great advantages of being a small(ish) and nimble company like the Montecito Journal Media Group is we get to try stuff and not everything has to be focus-grouped within an inch of its life.
We opted not to do market testing five years ago when we launched The Giving List Santa Barbara. And because of the success of that book (measured in money raised by participating local nonprofits) we expanded our scope the following year to include The Giving List Los Angeles and The Giving List Bay Area.
In 2023, we expanded our focus yet again to include national and global communities when we launched The Giving List Women (GLW). Then, after our Giving List Women Summit event last April—which brought the book and our movement to life—there was a lot of buzz and inquiry so we decided to address that curiosity here, in this issue.
GLW was birthed out of Santa Barbara, and not just from a geographical standpoint. This project would not have been possible without the incredible human capital, locally sourced—the many passionate, thoughtful, local philanthropists who, through their bucks and their brilliance, literally breathed life into GLW.
The same is true of the movement leaders, foundation leaders, and philanthropic leaders near and far with whom we are linking arms to help the world understand that women and girls are not just another cause; we are a catalyst for helping so many other causes as well. Why? Because when you invest through a lens of women and girls, you elevate not just women and girls but so many other humans on this Earth.
As of this writing, less than 2% of philanthropic dollars go to organizations focused on women and girls.
As if that’s not shocking enough, the same is true of venture capital, bank, and other investments that go towards women entrepreneurs. In a world where financial independence equals freedom and political power, that’s a problem.
In these pages are stories of women trailblazers: doctors, business leaders, shopkeepers, restaurateurs, financial advisors, nonprofit leaders, etc.—who have all helped put Santa Barbara on the gender equality map.
You’ll notice this is a thick tome. We say in the article that women actually give back more to their communities and, as if to underscore that point, I was blown away, and grateful, for how much participation we got from so many amazing women in this community. I see it as a sign that women are ready to do it for themselves and no longer waiting to be empowered. No, we’re finally stepping into the power we’ve had all along.
The Giving List Women matters far beyond philanthropy. It represents a fundamental shift from asking, “How can we help women?” to “How can we solve problems better by partnering with women?” The first question creates charity. The second one creates change.
As the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin once sang (with an assist from Annie Lennox): “Sisters are doin’ it for themselves.” Please enjoy your special Women’s Edition of the Montecito Journal Magazine!
Gwyn Lurie
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women by Doing it Differently
by Gwyn Lurie
Summit photos by Kim Reierson, Erick Madrid, and Anthony Bolden
In the spring of 2024 there was an extraordinary convening of women, and some men, from around the globe that took place in Santa Barbara. From the jump one could tell the Giving List Women Summit was no ordinary conference, with the boxed water and tote bags and the usual monogrammed swag. Well, we did have some swag. But really what we had was lightning in a bottle.
The theme of the summit was “Doing It Differently” and things most certainly felt different from the get-go.
On this particular clear April day you could take in the panorama from the Santa Ynez Mountains all the way out to the Channel Islands. It felt like if you squinted you could see China as there was not a cloud in the sky—although the day was extremely windy.
I Interpreted This as the Winds of Change
This is a story about The Giving List Women—a new effort to direct and invest more money towards women and girls locally, nationally, and globally. It’s an endeavor that began here in (once sleepy) Montecito, and has morphed into a movement that, through a global network, is uniting donors and would-be donors with movement leaders, foundation leaders, and nonprofit leaders to move billions more dollars toward women and girls. Thereby flipping the script on long-accepted tenets of giving that, till now, considered inequality to be a women’s issue more than something that affects greater humanity.
At its core, this is a story about why it’s in the best interest of every person, regardless of age, political affiliation, socio-economic status, cultural identity, sexual identity, or whether you’re a dog person or a cat person, to identify as a feminist. Yes, I said it. The once dreaded “F” word. A word whose time has finally come. We’ve had several male-ennia. It’s long past time to see how humanity does with women on at least equal footing.
Photo by Lucia Kiel | Jewelry by The Silverhorn Design Studio
Importance of the Female Lens
The seeds of this story were planted far away from Santa Barbara and far predate the advent of The Giving List Women. It’s a story that speaks to the critical importance of seeing the world through a different lens—the “female lens.”
Our story begins about 2,500 years ago, in ancient Greece, where the physician Hippocrates created, among other medical advancements, the diagnosis of “hysteria,” derived from the word “hystera”—the Greek word for “uterus.” Which is also why the surgical removal of the uterus is called a hysterectomy.
Remember, Hippocrates is considered the “Father of Medicine” (it had no mother) and it’s from Hippocrates we derived of course the Hippocratic Oath. In ancient Greece, “hysteria” was a catch-all for a panoply of symptoms such as pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, depression, anxiety, and fatigue—even infertility. It all fell under the umbrella of “hysteria” and was, naturally, something that only happened to women.
Back then, doctors (who were uniformly male) believed that patients developed hysteria because they were not fulfilling their womanly duty to marry and bear children. This in turn caused the uterus to become displaced and wander around the body like it had its own localized case of dementia.
The penalties for women diagnosed with hysteria were severe, and the cure was, obviously, to get married and have children A.S.A.P.
Summit participants from left to right: Zainab Salbi, author, activist, and founder of Women for Women International; Stacy Pulice; and Eva Haller, Hungarian-American philanthropist, social activist, executive, and board member.
Fidelity Charitable
Fidelity Charitable
Elaine Martyn Senior Vice President
Elaine Martyn Senior Vice President
Helping donors maximize their generosity.
Helping donors maximize their generosity.
Forward Global, Formerly Philanthropy Workshop
Forward Global, Formerly Philanthropy Workshop
women
Renee Kaplan CEO
Renee Kaplan CEO
Mobilizing resources to ensure a thriving, sustainable, more equitable world.
Mobilizing resources to ensure a thriving, sustainable, more equitable world.
Gates Foundation
Gates Foundation
Alex Jakana Senior Program Officer
MAlex Jakana Senior Program Officer
Creating a world where everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy, productive life.
Creating a world where everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy, productive life.
Global Center for Gender Equality
Global Center for Gender Equality
Khara Jabola-Carolus
Khara Jabola-Carolus
Director of Feminist Philanthropy
Director of Feminist Philanthropy
Striving towards a world where all people, regardless of their gender, have equal opportunities, choices, and life outcomes.
Striving towards a world where all people, regardless of their gender, have equal opportunities, choices, and life outcomes.
Global Fund for Women
Global Fund for Women
PeiYao Chen President & CEO
PeiYao Chen President & CEO
Funding bold, ambitious, and expansive gender justice movements to create meaningful change that will last beyond our lifetimes.
Funding bold, ambitious, and expansive gender justice movements to create meaningful change that will last beyond our lifetimes.
any, but not all, of GLW’s Angel Investors reside in Santa Barbara. These are the women and men who have breathed life into the Giving List Women. From the beginning, these philanthropists and social justice/ feminist warriors have gone all in on helping to move the needle on gender equality. The work we are doing at the Giving List Women would not be possible without their unyielding support and thought partnership, and for this, we are forever grateful.
Aileen Adams
Global Greengrants Fund
Global Greengrants Fund
Laura Garcia President & CEO
Laura Garcia President & CEO
Mobilizing resources for communities worldwide to protect our shared planet and work toward a more equitable world.
Mobilizing resources for communities worldwide to protect our shared planet and work toward a more equitable world.
Anne Towbes
Jocelyn Mangan CEO & Founder
Creating boardroom excellence and opportunity for corporate executives.
Grateful, loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, trying to be a positive source of good in the world.
Women’s Philanthropy Institute
Women’s Philanthropy Institute
Jillian Muller
Jillian Muller
Board of Directors of the International Rescue Committee and co-chair of its Development Committee; serves on the Executive Council of UCSB Arts & Lectures and the Pacific Council on International Policy.
Board of Directors of the International Rescue Committee and co-chair of its Development Committee; serves on the Executive Council of UCSB Arts & Lectures and the Pacific Council on International Policy.
Lynda Weinman
Lynda Weinman
Mother, daughter, wife, artist, educator, entrepreneur, author, and lifelong learner.
Mother, daughter, wife, artist, educator, entrepreneur, author, and lifelong learner.
Natalie Orfalea
Founder and President of the Natalie Orfalea Foundation. “When women and girls are lifted, entire communities are lifted.”
Founder and President of the
Foundation. “When women and girls are lifted, entire communities are lifted.”
Stephanie Fowler Co-founder and trustee of The Renaissance Foundation, retired journalist, and psychotherapist.
Stephanie Fowler
and
of
Belle Hahn
Jacqueline Ackerman Interim Director
Furthering the understanding of women’s philanthropy.
Jacqueline Ackerman Interim Director Furthering the understanding of women’s philanthropy.
Visionary philanthropist, executive producer for Feeding Tomorrow, and a producer of other films such as Common Ground, about regenerative agriculture.
Mosher Foundation
Mosher Foundation
Yvette Birch Giller President & CEO
Junemarie Justus
Junemarie Justus
Activist, social investor, gender justice advocate, and sentinel of hope.
Activist, social investor, gender justice advocate, and sentinel of hope.
Merryl Snow Zegar
Merryl Snow Zegar
Retired attorney, philanthropist, and executive director of the Zegar Family Foundation.
Retired attorney, philanthropist, and executive director of the Zegar Family Foundation.
Rand Rosenberg
Rand Rosenberg
Socially conscious business executive. “Social guides my philanthropic giving.”
Socially conscious business executive. “Social justice guides my philanthropic giving.”
Rose Feminist activist and former public official focused on advancing women’s rights, workplace issues, and civil rights.
Rose Feminist activist and former public official focused on advancing women’s rights, workplace issues, and civil rights.
Government, nonprofit, and philanthropic leader, former L.A. Deputy Mayor, CA State Cabinet member, and head of the Office for Victims of Crime in the U.S. Justice Department.
Grantmakers for Girls of Color
Supporting compelling, effective programs in Education, Healthcare, and Performing Arts programs in the Santa Barbara area.
Yvette Birch Giller President & CEO Supporting compelling, effective programs in Education, Healthcare, and Performing Arts programs in the Santa Barbara area.
Bruce Heavin
Artist, strategist, and entrepreneur.
New Moon Network
New Moon Network
Savannah Sly Founder & Co-Director
Savannah Sly Founder & Co-Director
Aiming to secure rights and opportunities for people in the sex trade.
Aiming to secure rights and opportunities for people in the sex trade.
Kasey (Lundquist) Reiter
Kasey (Lundquist) Reiter
Mom of two, financial services professional, exploring and embracing life in Northern California’s vibrant community.
Mom of two, financial services professional, exploring and embracing life in Northern California’s vibrant community.
Mona Sinha
Mona Sinha
Global Executive Director of Equality Now, former Board Chair of Women Moving Millions, and named Forbes 50 over 50 in 2023.
Global Executive Director of Equality Now, former Board Chair of Women Moving Millions, and named Forbes 50 over 50 in 2023.
Ron Pulice
Ron Pulice
Founder and former CEO of Pulice Construction, whose philanthropy and board work focus primarily on education, community planning, the environment, and equalizing the gender equation.
Founder and former CEO of Pulice Construction, whose philanthropy and board work focus primarily on education, community planning, the environment, and equalizing the gender equation.
Davis
Davis
A passionate philanthropist who inspires hope and opportunity for women and girls through global and local impact.
A passionate philanthropist who inspires hope and opportunity for women and girls through global and local impact.
Crystal Wyatt
The Curve Foundation
Jen Rainin Co-Founder
“Constantly striving to do my very best for my family and community with whatever talents I have to offer.”
Championing lesbian, queer women, transgender and nonbinary people’s stories and culture through intergenerational programming and community building.
The Curve Foundation Jen Rainin Co-Founder Championing lesbian, queer women, transgender and nonbinary people’s stories and culture through intergenerational programming and community building.
Kelly Mooney
Kelly Mooney
Business leader, author, and founder of Equipt Women, empowering over 100,000 women through leadership tools, courses, and coaching.
Business leader, author, and founder of Equipt Women, empowering over 100,000 women through leadership tools, courses, and coaching.
Monica Wyatt
Monica Wyatt
Former television producer and director who is now an artist, transforming and combining materials to create strangely beautiful biomorphic-shaped sculptures.
Former television producer and director who is now an artist, transforming and combining materials to create strangely beautiful biomorphic-shaped sculptures.
Sara Miller McCune
Sara Miller McCune
Founder of Sage Publishing; hard-working entrepreneur who cares deeply about social justice.
Founder of Sage Publishing; hard-working entrepreneur who cares deeply about social justice.
Tipper Gore
Author, advocate, photographer, and former second lady of the United
Author, advocate, photographer, and former second lady of the United States.
Deirdre Hade
The Linked Foundation
The Linked Foundation
Nancy Swanson Executive Director
Investing technical and financial resources to develop and scale social enterprises that improve the health of communities throughout Latin America and the United States.
Mystic, spiritual guide, and author whose nonprofit Foundation for Radiance has brought rehabilitation and self-esteem to women lost by life’s tragedies.
Nancy Swanson Executive Director Investing technical and financial resources to develop and scale social enterprises that improve the health of communities throughout Latin America and the United States.
Leslie Gilbert-Lurie
Leslie Gilbert-Lurie
Lawyer, author, former television executive, philanthropist, and community leader focused on education, children’s rights, and underfunded social issues.
Lawyer, author, former television executive, philanthropist, and community leader focused on education, children’s rights, and underfunded social issues.
Dr. Nancy O’Reilly
Dr. Nancy O’Reilly
Founder of Women Connect4Good, Inc. Philanthropist, author, educator, and advocate for women’s empowerment.
Founder of Women Connect4Good, Inc. Philanthropist, author, educator, and advocate for women’s empowerment.
Stacey Keare
Stacey Keare
Mother of three incredible daughters, attorney, philanthropist, and advocate for advancing girls’ rights globally through education, leadership, and grassroots support.
Mother of three incredible daughters, attorney, philanthropist, and advocate for advancing girls’ rights globally through education, leadership, and grassroots support.
William Arntz
American
American film director and producer.
Grantmakers for Girls of Color
Ana Pincus
Dr. Monique Couvson President & CEO
Dr. Monique Couvson President & CEO
Investing in the ecosystems that support and follow the leadership of our youth in the United States and in U.S. territories.
Investing in the ecosystems that support and follow the leadership of our youth in the United States and in U.S. territories.
Philanthropist and filmmak er, dedicated to supporting women by helping them share their truth and experiences.
The New York Women’s Foundation
Gabriella Taylor
The New York Women’s Foundation
Ana Oliveira President & CEO
Ana Oliveira President & CEO
Challenging the traditional top-down philanthropic approach and investing in emerging women-led strategies on day one.
Challenging the traditional top-down philanthropic approach and investing in emerging women-led strategies on day one.
Trauma expert, ordained minister, and founder of Extraordinary Woman. Lover of beauty, permaculture, and regenerative farming. Devoted to creating a more caring world.
Lily Hahn Shining
Lily Hahn Shining
Intentional leader, creative thinker, and collaborator who values joy, kindness, and authenticity. “I try to move through the world with a spirit of generosity and grace.”
Intentional leader, creative thinker, and collaborator who values joy, kindness, and authenticity. “I try to move through the world with a spirit of generosity and grace.”
Nancy Sheldon
Nancy Sheldon
Wife and mom of four—fueled by family, laughter, and long hikes—working to build a more just, compassionate, and hopeful future through philanthropy and heart-led action.
Wife and mom of four—fueled by family, laughter, and long hikes—working to build a more just, compassionate, and hopeful future through philanthropy and heart-led action.
Stacy Pulice
Stacy Pulice
Psychologist, regenerative farmer, and host of the podcast Regenerative Mindset, with more than 30 years of experience advocating for healthier (eco)systems.
Psychologist, regenerative farmer, and host of the podcast Regenerative Mindset, with more than 30 years of experience advocating for healthier (eco)systems.
Co-founder
trustee
The Renaissance Foundation, retired journalist, and psychotherapist.
Natalie Orfalea
Natalie Orfalea
Susan
Teran
Tipper Gore
William Arntz
film director and producer.
Susan
Teran
women
Annie E. Casey Foundation
Annie E. Casey Foundation
Lisa Lawson President & CEO
Lisa Lawson President & CEO
Devoted to developing a brighter future for millions of children and young people with respect to their educational, economic, social and health outcomes.
Devoted to developing a brighter future for millions of children and young people with respect to their educational, economic, social and health outcomes.
OOur Champion Partners are the organizations, foundations, and philanthropic networks at the forefront of the social justice and gender equality space. These Partners make up GLW’s ever-expanding network-of-networks of leaders working to help donors around the globe understand that when women and girls thrive, we all win. By strengthening the vital narrative that women and girls must be treated as a lens, not a lane, in philanthropy, we are collectively moving the needle on gender equity and equality.
ur Champion Partners are the organizations, foundations, and philanthropic networks at the forefront of the social justice and gender equality space. These Partners make up GLW’s ever-expanding network-of-networks of leaders working to help donors around the globe understand that when women and girls thrive, we all win. By strengthening the vital narrative that women and girls must be treated as a lens, not a lane, in philanthropy, we are collectively moving the needle on gender equity and equality.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Foundation
Cinny Kennard Executive Director
Cinny Kennard Executive Director
Providing funding and support to nonprofit organizations in the United States and globally.
California Community Foundation
Miguel Santana President & CEO
Leading positive systemic change that strengthens Los Angeles’ communities.
Feminist Majority Foundation
Feminist Majority Foundation
Katherine Spillar Executive Director Developing strategies and programs to advance women’s equality, non-violence, economic development, and empower women and girls in all sectors
Katherine Spillar Executive Director Developing strategies and programs to advance women’s equality, non-violence, economic development, and empower women and girls in all sectors of society.
Fidelity Charitable
Fidelity Charitable
Elaine Martyn Senior Vice President Helping donors maximize their generosity.
Forward Global, Formerly Philanthropy Workshop
Forward Global, Formerly Philanthropy Workshop
Elaine Martyn Senior Vice President Helping donors maximize their generosity. illumyn Jocelyn Mangan CEO & Founder Creating boardroom excellence and opportunity for corporate executives.
Jocelyn Mangan CEO & Founder Creating boardroom excellence and opportunity for corporate executives.
Global Center for Gender Equality
Global Center for Gender Equality
Khara Jabola-Carolus
Khara Jabola-Carolus Director of Feminist Philanthropy Striving towards a world where all people, regardless of their gender, have equal opportunities, choices, and life outcomes.
of Feminist Philanthropy Striving towards a world where all people, regardless of their gender, have equal opportunities, choices, and life outcomes.
Dr.
Grantmakers for Girls of Color
Dr. Monique Couvson President & CEO Investing in the ecosystems that support and follow the leadership of our youth in the United States and in U.S. territories.
Women’s
Women’s Philanthropy Institute
grams in Education, Healthcare, and Performing Arts programs in the Santa Barbara area.
New Moon Network
New Moon Network
Savannah Sly Founder & Co-Director
Aiming to secure rights and opportunities for people in the sex trade.
Savannah Sly Founder & Co-Director Aiming to secure rights and opportunities for people in the sex trade.
The New York Women’s
Leslie
Gilbert-Lurie
Lily Hahn Shining
Intentional leader, creative thinker, and collaborator who values joy, kindness, and authenticity. “I try to move through the world with a spirit of generosity and grace.”
Lawyer, author, former television executive, philanthropist, and community leader focused on education, children’s rights, and underfunded social issues. Nancy Sheldon Wife and mom of four—fueled by family, laughter, and long hikes—working to build more just, compassionate, and hopeful future through philanthropy and heart-led action.
Board of Directors of the International Rescue Committee and co-chair of its Development Committee; serves on the Executive Council of UCSB Arts & Lectures and the Pacific Council on International Policy.
Merryl Snow Zegar Retired attorney, philanthropist, and executive director the Zegar Family Foundation.
Junemarie Justus Activist, social investor, gender justice advocate, and sentinel of hope.
Mona Sinha Global Executive Director of Equality Now, former Chair of Women Moving Millions, and named Forbes 50 over 50 in 2023.
Kasey (Lundquist) Reiter Mom of two, financial services professional, exploring and embracing life in Northern California’s vibrant community.
Monica Wyatt Former television producer and director who is now an artist, transforming and combining materials to create strangely beautiful biomorphic-shaped sculptures.
Kelly Mooney
Dr. Nancy O’Reilly Founder of Women Connect-
The Curve Foundation Jen Rainin Co-Founder
Bridgespan
Philanthropy Institute Jacqueline
Photo by Lucia Kiel | Jewelry by The Silverhorn Design Studio
According to the Yale Medical Magazine, women with hysteria were accused of madness, witchcraft, or demonic possession and forced to undergo exorcisms. They were burned as witches, isolated in mental institutions, and forced to wear straightjackets. Medical treatments ranged from hanging women upside down and shaking them to return the uterus to its rightful place, to putting leeches in the vagina because… why not?
Man-ual Labor
Jumping way ahead to 2001, Rachel Maines, a professor and scientist at Cornell’s School of Electrical Engineering, wrote an award-winning book called The Technology of Orgasm: “Hysteria,” the Vibrator, and Women’s Sexual Satisfaction. In her book, Dr. Maines talks about how up until really the last century, the “hysteria” moniker was a catch-all for ways men found it vexing to deal with women. The hysteria diagnosis covered a wide array of symptoms including sexual desire as well as a “tendency to cause trouble.” I hope by now you’re starting to see why we need more women in STEM.
This was my favorite part of Dr. Maines’ book: the only known cure for hysteria was a “pelvic massage” administered by the physician. This pelvic massage was administered until the patient experienced “hysterical paroxysm,” which is something that today we call an orgasm. Doctors often dreaded how “hysterical paroxysm” took so long, requiring so much man-ual labor, in contrast to the nifty
male orgasm which could be over in a matter of… seconds. The tedious nature of “administering an orgasm” subsequently gave rise to the invention and patent of something called the “vibrator.”
So, you can’t say you didn’t learn any history today. My point is how awry things can go when women are excluded from entire disciplines and ways of thinking.
If I can sidebar on my sidebar for a moment, pre-1967 when women were barred from running in marathons, specifically the Boston Marathon, one reason given for their exclusion was that women’s bodies were simply not
Lynda Weinman
Left to right: Bruce Heavin; Brandi Howard, CEO of East Bay Community Foundation; and former California State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson.
built for that kind of strain (um, childbirth anyone?). And the theory was that if women ran marathons, once again their precarious uterus could fall out. There goes that wandering uterus again.
I share this story because it oddly illustrates the principle at the heart of The Giving List Women. That when we apply a female lens to any field, when women have a seat at the table regarding any challenge, any system, we aren’t just helping women, we broaden our understanding and we’re creating better outcomes for everyone. This seems so obvious to me now, but it wasn’t always.
Birth of The Giving List City Books
Back in 2019 when I’d just taken the helm at the Montecito Journal Media Group, my business partner Tim Buckley and I, having served on many boards and otherwise interacted with nonprofits over the years, knew that nonprofits often struggle in telling their own stories. Which can be a real hindrance to fundraising because storytelling is a key component of connecting meaningfully with donors. And donors can become overwhelmed by the competing needs in their community. So we decided to experiment with publishing a book that told powerful stories about local nonprofits—told by professional storytellers—and sent the book out to tens of thousands of donors in Santa Barbara County. Happily, the result was many of the nonprofits written about in the book raised significant funds—in some cases six figures. So, we expanded The Giving List to Northern California and to Los Angeles.
Birth of The Giving List Women
Then came an out-of-the-blue phone call from a woman named Stacey Keare, a Bay Area resident who now chairs the board of an organization called Women Moving Millions. “I love your book,” she said. “Our family uses it for our philanthropy.” Then came her billion-dollar question: “Would you ever consider doing a Giving List Women?”
I didn’t know it at the time, but that innocent query would transform not just my work, but my entire understanding of what philanthropy could and should be. Intrigued by her question, I began Tarzan-ing my way across the country, talking with anyone who’d give me the lay of the land on gender-based philanthropy. What I learned was stunning.
Less Than 2% of
Philanthropic Dollars
Are Focused on Women
Ilearned that less than 2% of all philanthropic dollars currently go toward organizations focused on women and girls. And for women and girls of color the number is far less. Indeed, the same percentage holds true for venture capital, bank, and individual investment in female entrepreneurs. In other words, in the pie chart of philanthropy and entrepreneurship, the portion allotted to just women and girls is more a line than a slice.
What makes these statistics not just pathetic, but foolish from an impact perspective, is that women and girls are by far the most powerful lever for change in every lane of philanthropy and in impact investing. And when I began asking megadonors if they’d consider supporting a Giving
Belle Hahn (left) with Ilwad Elman, leading advocate for peace and justice in Somalia and co-founder of Elman Peace Center.
List Women endeavor, their responses clarified everything for me. One donor said: “We think it’s wonderful to support women and girls, but that’s not our lane. Our lanes are the environment and social justice.”
“Women and girls are not a lane,” I said. “They’re a lens.”
What did I mean? What I meant is if you care about the environment, you need to understand that climate change disproportionately affects women and girls, who make up 80% of climate refugees. Today there are more climate refugees than there are war refugees. If you care about education, you need to know that educating girls is the single most effective intervention for breaking cycles of poverty. If you care about economic development, you should know that many studies show that women reinvest 90% of their income back into their families and communities, compared to 35% for men. What the heck are men buying?
The point is, the lens of women and girls doesn’t narrow
(Below) Left to right: Shawn Ray White, Executive Philanthropic Advisor, Leader. Tim Freundlich, Founder and Executive Director, Impact Assets. Jennifer Risher.
our vision—it sharpens it. It doesn’t limit our impact—it multiplies it. And it doesn’t just positively impact women; it positively impacts every human on this Earth. Not to mention the Earth itself.
We’re not suggesting you stop supporting the nonprofits whose work you believe in. We’re just asking that you add the lens of women and girls to thinking and giving. That you understand that women and girls are fundamental to every issue we face. And that without women and girls at the table, our world is lacking a vitally important perspective and resource.
Last spring, we published the inaugural Giving List Women Book with a readership of approximately 250,000. The book tells the stories of 50 nonprofits around the world that are moving the needle for women and girls. It also includes a chapter called Our Solidarity, which tells the stories of organizations focused on bring-
(Above) Leslie Gilbert-Lurie (left) in conversation with Jennifer Siebel Newsom, documentary filmmaker and California’s first partner.
(Left) Ginger Salazar (left), Board Member, philanthropist, Santa Barbara Person of the Year 2022. Monica Epstein, co-founder of Ysidro sparkling sake.
Pre-1967 women were barred from running marathons… the theory was that if women ran marathons, once again, their precarious uterus could fall out. There goes that wandering uterus again.
Left to right: Alex Jakana; Mona Sinha; Michele Goodwin, law professor, legal scholar, author, advocate; Kimberlé Crenshaw, Co-founder and Executive Director of the African American Policy Forum, Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Intersectionality and Social Policy Studies at Columbia Law School, author; and Shawn Ray White.
Junemarie Justus (left) and Hannah Riley Bowles, Roy E. Larsen Senior Lecturer in Public Policy and Management at the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS).
Two Places Leveling up Their Gender Parity: Iceland… and Santa Barbara
Some places have made great progress on gender parity. In Iceland, for example, the country with the smallest gender gap, the president is a woman. The prime minister is a woman. The foreign minister is a woman. The mayor of Reykjavik, the capital, is a woman. The bishop is a woman. The police commissioner is a woman. And all the heads of the five coalition parties in charge of the city are all women. I don’t know if that’s ever happened before, but Santa Barbara is actually not so far behind. Our State Senator Monique Limón is a woman. As was our former State Senator Hannah Beth-Jackson. The Chair of our Board of Supervisors Laura Capps is a woman. Our County Executive Officer Mona Miyasato is a woman. The Superintendent of the Santa Barbara Unified School District Hilda Maldonado is a woman. Our County Superintendent of Schools Susan Salcido is a woman. Our Police Chief Kelly Ann Gordon is a woman. The long and illustrious list goes on. I invite all of us to see ourselves as architects of a new way of thinking about social change. Every time we put a girl or woman in a position to ask a question that others haven’t yet thought to ask, every time we mentor another woman, every time we design any program or system with girls and women in mind, we’re proving that women’s leadership transforms outcomes.
ing men and boys into the conversation about why supporting women and girls matters; teaching boys and men to work with women, to respect women, and to understand destructive generational cycles like sexual violence. None of these 50 nonprofits pay to be written about in the book.
The Giving List Women Book also tells the stories of organizations and leaders at the center of the gender equality ecosystem who are linking arms with us not just to help underwrite the stories of the 50 nonprofits and help raise billions of dollars for women and girls, but to build a movement through an expansive network-of-networks of individual and institutional donors, investors, and corporate and movement leaders who understand that when women and girls thrive, we all win. The timing could not be more critical.
The Great Wealth Transfer
We are in the midst of what economists are calling “the great wealth transfer,” where an estimated $84 trillion is in the process of being bequeathed by Baby Boomers to their heirs. Much of this wealth will be controlled by women. So we have an unprecedented opportunity to reshape philanthropy and ensure that the current <2% of philanthropic dollars grows to reflect the true importance that women have on every aspect of society.
When we talk about gender-lens philanthropy, when we advocate for more resources going to women and girls, people sometimes ask: “Why focus on women and girls when everyone needs help?” The fact is, when we invest in women, we’re not taking away from others— we’re actually multiplying impact for everyone. This isn’t ideology, it’s data. In study after study, and in field after field, data shows that when women are bolstered by resources, and when women are in positions of power, when we have a seat at the table, better decisions get made. More inclusive solutions emerge. More sustainable change happens. And waging peace becomes more likely than waging war.
Which leads us back to that windy night in April 2024, at the inaugural Giving List Women Summit, where donor-philanthropists, philanthropic leaders, movement leaders, and nonprofit leaders came together to discuss the incredible potential when women and girls become a lens, not just a lane, in giving and investing.
Up until the last century, the hysteria diagnosis covered a wide array of symptoms including sexual desire as well as a “tendency to cause trouble.” I hope by now you’re starting to see why we need more women in STEM.
The U.N. estimates that, at the current rate of progress, it will “only” take 134 years to achieve full gender parity. So even if I stop eating pasta and work out every single day, I won’t be around to see it.
The Pen May Be Mightier Than the Sword, but a Meal Is Mightier
Than Them
All
T he Giving List Women Summit began with philanthropists across Santa Barbara opening their homes to host intimate dinners where powerful conversations began. These weren’t fundraising dinners. These were opportunities for people to meet each other, to connect, to share their stories, and to begin to discuss how when women and girls thrive, we all win.
The dinners were so transformative, we’re now replicating them across the country. And the conversations are continuing.
Left to right: Hali Lee, Sara Lomelin, Heather McLeod Grant, Co-Founder of Open Impact, Author, Philanthropist.
Jane Wurwand
Sisters Are Doing It for Themselves —But That Doesn’t Mean Men Aren’t Invited
Beyond the importance of applying the lens of women and girls to giving and investing, one important conversation is about how the next wave of feminism should level up. Like the importance of, among other things, feminism beginning to include men in the conversation. Because we can’t expect people to buy into narratives they were not a part of building. We know that culture needs to change and grow to reflect the aspirations of the time; the same is true for feminism. Sometimes I compare our invitation to men to a “tiller” style of fire truck with a main driver and a supplemental driver; and the cooperation between the front and rear drivers making for a much more precise and effective vehicle.
Our Giving List conversations are also challenging the toxic notion, this great non-starter, that we all must agree on everything in order to work together. Any feminist movement, and any movement for that matter, is strongest when people can come together over a shared set of values. So what are those values?
Left to right: Stacey Keare, Alex Jakana, Dianne Chipps Bailey, Managing Director and National Philanthropic Strategy Executive for Philanthropic Solutions at Bank of America, Chair of Women’s Philanthropy Institute Council.
Women and Men Have Different Hearts… and Different Heart Attacks
We’ve learned that excluding women from any number of disciplines can have serious societal implications and in some cases actually cost lives. In this year’s Giving List Women Book we feature a story about Dr. Noel Merz’s work at the Streisand Women’s Heart Center at Cedars-Sinai. Doctor Merz’s work has been foundational in recognizing heart disease in women, which up until her work was rarely diagnosed in women and mostly considered something suffered by all those hardworking, breadwinning men. Women’s symptoms were different (because of their different hearts) and when they complained of heart-related symptoms they were frequently accused of, once again, hysteria.
But in 1984 when clinical trial results were finally stratified by gender, the data revealed that women were dying of heart disease at dramatically higher rates than men. That’s because the medical profession had not yet recognized that because men’s and women’s hearts are palpably different, it also made their symptoms different: women’s symptoms were more subtle and frequently not detected in tests for classic male heart disease. It’s a little like how we only recently recognized that thousands of breast cancer cases every year… occur in men.
Organizations like the Streisand Women’s Heart Center are not just identifying problems; they’re creating new approaches to solving those problems. And they’re proving that when women have agency and resources, women’s health outcomes improve.
Somewhere along the way, so many of us have found ourselves divided into tribes—feminists, Republicans, Democrats—and to be members of these tribes, we’ve had to fall in line by taking the “correct” positions on important societal issues.
The Upshot of The Giving List Women
The Giving List Women 2025 is in full gear with Summit number two in the works. Next April we’ll once again bring together extraordinary people and organizations from around the globe who might otherwise never have the chance to connect. We’ll be telling powerful stories and continuing to strengthen the narrative around applying the lens of women and girls to giving. And all this will come out of Santa Barbara, the birthplace of so many important movements and ideologies. A place so fertile that sometimes it seems like you can grow anything.
As we look to the future, I challenge each of us— women, men, boys, girls, all of us—to dare to do things differently! This is the promise of gender-lens thinking. It doesn’t just solve problems—it reframes them in ways that lead to better and more widespread solutions.
Kavita Ramdas (left), former President & CEO of Global Fund for Women, Activist for Gender Equality and Justice. Pat Mitchell.
“It was always clear to me there are gender differences in heart disease,”
said Dr. Noel Merz. “But until this hypothesis was validated, women complaining of chest pain were dismissed as… merely hysterical.”
Fartuun Adan, Somali Social Activist, Co-Founder of Elman Peace Center.
Jennifer Risher (left) and Sarah Haacke Byrd.
Summit Dinner hosted by Rand Rosenberg and Teran Davis. Clockwise, from left to right: Lisa Kristine, Human Rights Photographer, Savannah Sly, Junemarie Justus, Ana Pincus, Parker Clay, Ian Bentley, Teran Davis, Rand Rosenberg, Denise Dunning, Founder and Executive Director at Rise Up, Stacey Keare, Bradley Myles, Senior Advisor of Innovation at Panorama Global, Fartuun Adan, Esta Soler, Founder of Futures Without Violence, Expert on violence against women and children.
The fact is, when we stop seeing women and girls as a special interest group and start seeing them as central to every issue we care about, everything changes. I’m not sure why pursuing a more gender-equal world has proven to be such a hard sell considering, among other things, the positive correlation that exists between a nation’s gender equality and its GDP growth. But it does continue to be a hard sell. So much so that the U.N. estimates that, at the current rate of progress, it will “only” take 134 years to achieve full gender parity. So even if I stop eating pasta and work out every single day, I won’t be around to see it.
I suspect many of us dream of a world in which women and men share power. It’s in service of this dream that The Giving List Women has created the platform to amplify stories that are becoming part of a larger narrative about why investing in women and girls is the smartest investment people can make. Because when women and girls thrive, we all win is not just a slogan. It’s a strategy.
So, here’s my invitation to each of you: join us in this larger movement. Help us show the world that gender-lens thinking is about expansion, not exclusion. It’s about seeing more clearly, understanding more deeply, and creating solutions that work better for all. And in so doing, together we are redefining the “F” word. Because this work is not just changing the way we think about philanthropy, it’s changing how we think about change itself. And that’s how movements begin. Not with grand pronouncements or massive budgets, but with people who see a different path forward and have the courage to pursue that path.
I feel it’s only right to conclude by returning to the topic of the wandering uterus and women’s hysteria. Remember how women were originally banned from running marathons because it was feared our uteruses would fall out? It turns out that, increasingly, women’s marathon times are closing in on men’s marathon times. And many biologists theorize that as female athletes continue to optimize their progress, the overall marathon world record will ultimately be held by a woman. Why is this relevant? Because it should not be lost on any of us that the work we are doing is, in fact, a marathon. And since they say that women are susceptible to “hysteria” and a “tendency to cause trouble,” I’d hate to disappoint them.
As of the time of print, The Giving List Women has just been approved for a 100% match—up to one million dollars—by Pivotal Ventures and Forward Global (formerly The Philanthropy Workshop).
www.givinglistwomen.com
Less than 2% of all philanthropic dollars currently go toward organizations focused on women and girls.
Kelly Mooney.
IMAGE CONSCIOUS
Story by Zachary Bernstein | Photos by Lucia Kiel
BEHIND THE LENS WITH LUCIA KIEL
In her light-filled Mission Canyon studio, portrait photographer and Santa Barbara native Lucia Kiel has built a space where women can be themselves, get deep support, and walk away feeling more seen than they’ve ever been. “There’s no such thing as being unphotogenic,” says Kiel. “Only being unsupported. That’s where I come in.”
It’s a philosophy that shapes not only her photographic style, but also the way she makes a connection. Her signature offering, what she calls The Becoming Experience, uses portraiture as a medium for self-reflection and personal transformation, inviting people to step into an elevated version of themselves—not for vanity, but for healing. “It’s not just about the images,” says Kiel. “It’s about the way they begin to see themselves differently. That’s what I care about.”
Thanks to the unforgiving standards created by the beauty industrial complex, clients often go to Kiel carrying years of discomfort, insecurity, or invisibility. But they leave with something much more than just alluring photos. “I offer a space where women and girls get to feel safe, powerful, and celebrated. The sessions are fun, yes, but what stays with people is how they felt. Like themselves, only freer.”
After years living away in Paris, D.C., and Los Angeles, Kiel and her husband Dillon returned to Santa Barbara to raise their two sons. Here she operates her studio in the same place where she first fell in love with photography. We talked about the creative puzzle that was our Montecito Journal Magazine centerfold, the healing power of photoshoots, and what it means to really be seen.
A taste of her own medicine: Lucia Kiel in a self-portrait.
Well, first of all, thanks for taking command of the fold-out image for our special Women’s issue. What’s the secret to the perfect group shot?
Photoshop. [laughs] Honestly, it starts with intention. When you’re composing an image that big—especially one with 15 people—you have to see the final image in your mind and then build backwards. Placement, symmetry, energy flow... it was a puzzle, but a joyful one. I’m so proud of how it came together.
How did you first get into photography?
I had my first camera at 10, but I always thought I’d be an actor. I moved to Los Angeles and had a really terrible experience getting my headshot taken, not because the photographer was male, but because he was one of those guys who made me feel small. The industry already does enough of that to women.
I remember thinking, I can take better headshots than this and actually make women feel good about themselves in the process. What a concept! That moment changed
everything. I realized that photography could be a way to uplift and empower, especially for women. It could shift how people feel about themselves. Since 2009, that’s been my mission: to help people see their own beauty and worth reflected back at them.
Some of your photos build entire worlds. How intricate are the requests you get?
Every session is custom. Some clients want it clean and
simple, but I also get wild and symbolic requests—which I love. One client wanted snakes in the studio because she felt like she was wandering in a barren emotional landscape. We created a whole set with sand, succulents, and a snake handler. It was stunning and very meaningful for her.
Do you ever shoot on location, or is it mostly in the studio?
A lot of my clients love the privacy and intimacy of the studio. I can create a safe space that’s tailored for their com-
“There’s no such thing as being unphotogenic,” says Kiel, “only being unsupported. That’s where I come in.”
Tracey Strobel Owner
fort. For many women, just being in front of the camera is already a vulnerable act, so I make the environment as nurturing and low-pressure as possible. That said, I absolutely love shooting outdoors too. One of my absolute favorite places with the most incredible light isn’t an option anymore, [the privately-owned ruins of] Knapp’s Castle. Lizard’s Mouth is incredible too. Every day I remind my children how incredibly lucky we are to live here. This town is so gorgeous. There’s no end of beautiful places to shoot. There’s something magical about finding just the right spot to match the energy and intention of the shoot. But wherever we shoot, it’s always about choosing locations that reflect who my client is and how they want to feel.
Does AI factor into your work?
I try to keep things as real as possible. I use AI and Photoshop mostly for enhancing elements like backgrounds, fabric, or hair—nothing that alters the essence of the
person. Although I did have to completely reconstruct a foot. That was interesting. But when it comes to creative shoots, AI has saved me hours. I used to throw fabric in the air and shoot frame after frame just to get one usable photo. Now I can create a vision more efficiently without compromising quality.
It seems the goal of your photography is to give people evidence of their most ideal version of themselves. I imagine that might be hard for not all, but some people. How do you prepare subjects for this experience?
There’s a lot of thoughtful prep that goes into every shoot. For most women, the idea of being in front of a camera is anywhere from nerve-wracking to downright terrifying. That’s why I spend time with each client well before the session—getting to know them, talking through styling, exploring how they want to feel and be seen, and reviewing their inspirations together. I also provide a comprehensive
“Since 2009, that’s been my mission: to help people see their own beauty and worth reflected back at them.” - Lucia Kiel
prep guide to take as much stress out of the process as possible.
But honestly, the real transformation happens in the studio. That’s where the energy shifts. I work with an all-female team who do hair and makeup tailored to their preferences. There’s plenty of support and enthusiastic hype, and something clicks. I guide them through every pose, and every angle so they feel safe enough to open up. And that’s when the magic starts.
To me, the goal is never to make someone look like someone else—it’s to reflect them as they are, on their most radiant day. I think this is my gift. I help women not just tolerate being photographed, but actually enjoy it.
What’s the sentiment you hear most from them after the shoot?
People are shocked by how much fun they have. They come in expecting to feel awkward and leave feeling lit up. I mean, one teen client told me she felt self-worth for the first time! Another stopped struggling with an eating disorder after our session. That still gives me chills. Not every story is that dramatic, but there’s always a shift. There’s a softening, a spark. And that’s everything to me.
mj: women SHE MEANS BUSINESS
Are women quantifiably better entrepreneurs than men? Look at it this way: yes. The number-crunching U.S. Census Bureau, Dow Jones, and the Harvard Business Review concur: women-owned firms generate higher revenue and create significantly more jobs than their male-owned counterparts. Women are measurably more effective in senior leadership roles. We could go on… and in this issue we do.
From medicine to marketing, design to AI, this visual compendium showcases local women who lead with expertise, heart, and vision across every corner of our community. You’ll find them reimagining real estate, revolutionizing fitness, restoring skin, and refining spaces with equal parts precision and passion.
Their roles are varied—entrepreneurs, practitioners, advisors, artists—but their collective impact is united by a common thread: empowerment. In every profession, and through every project, they show us that success isn’t just about achievement—it’s about connection, purpose, and resilience. She’s a leader, a creator, a problem-solver. Simply put: she means business.
Art, Galleries & Creative Solutions
Community
& Hospitality
Health & Medical Services
Interior Design & Home Improvement
Legal & Financial Services
Professional Services & Organizing
Real Estate & Property Management
Retail & Fashion
Skin & Hair Care
Wellness & Fitness
ART, GALLERIES & CREATIVE SOLUTIONS
Innovative practices. Inclusive spaces. Environmentally astute conviction. These women deconstruct traditional boundaries of art while honing its relevance to everyday life. Proactive leadership and vision underscore the centrality of artistic dialogue, emotional insight, and core cultural enrichment within their communities.
CASSANDRIA BLACKMORE
CASSANDRIA BLACKMORE
Cassandria Blackmore is a third-generation Californian whose unique artistic vision has taken root in the radiant light of Santa Barbara. On Coast Village Road, her namesake gallery features luminous shattered glass paintings that seem to shimmer and move with the viewer, evoking natural phenomena like sunlit lakes and oceanic horizons.
Her creative origins are as unconventional as her art. Born to Berkeley hippies in 1968, Blackmore’s early life was steeped in the counterculture of the 1960s, later transitioning to a self-sustaining farm life in Oregon. “Everything had a process,” she recalls—an ethos that continues to inform her labor-intensive art.
Blackmore’s formal journey began at art school in Portland, where she fell in love with Byzantine mosaics and ancient Minoan art. Unable to study glass through her school, she introduced the material into her own work, inspired by the enduring presence of tesserae in ancient art. “You could really see the surface texture and the artist’s hand,” she notes of the ancient mediums that shaped her.
The catalyst for her signature style—a process of painting on glass and then shattering it—came during a deeply emotional moment in Seattle. “I was drinking Elk Cove Pinot Noir, listening to Etta James… and I threw the piece of glass,” she recounts. As shards scattered, she saw her fragmented self-portrait and began reconstructing it. “That’s when I started breaking glass.”
Now a trustee of the Pilchuck Glass School founded by Dale Chihuly, Blackmore’s work has been acquired by prominent institutions like the Crocker Art Museum and the Imagine Museum in Florida. But it’s Santa Barbara’s light that most inspires her. “I came into Santa Barbara and was like, what is this? The light was like how I imagined the south of France.”
Visitors to her gallery often leave touched by more than just the visuals. “Mostly I want them to feel uplifted,” she says. Her space even welcomes dogs, with treats and a whimsical “dog gallery” outside. In a place where broken glass reflects light, Blackmore offers a luminous reminder that beauty often emerges from the fragments.
WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CASSANDRIABLACKMORE
Photo by Leona
Blackmore
DIANE WATERHOUSE
WATERHOUSE GALLERY
Tucked into the picturesque heart of Montecito’s Coast Village Road, the Waterhouse Gallery’s newest outpost brings a refined selection of contemporary works to a community already steeped in art appreciation. This space, now two years old, is what Diane Waterhouse affectionately refers to as part of “his and her galleries,” a nod to the dual locations she and husband Ralph maintain after nearly four decades of working side-by-side.
While their downtown Santa Barbara gallery has long been a staple – 36 years in La Arcada Plaza alone – the Montecito space provides a distinct experience. “They’re like apples and oranges,” Diane explains. “Our space here is more contemporary, our downtown is more intimate… the larger paintings don’t look large at all in Montecito, and in La Arcada the smaller paintings just look so intimate.”
Located at 1187 Coast Village Road, the Montecito gallery capitalizes on high visibility. “People can drive by and see all the shops and restaurants,” Diane notes, a contrast to the downtown gallery that is immersed in the charming brick-lined alleys of La Arcada Plaza. Despite these differences, both locations feature the same roster of artists, each carefully curated by Diane herself. Her aesthetic is salon-style and passionate – “Every painting is chosen by me, and I have to love what I exhibit.”
Beyond the gallery walls, Diane’s engagement with the local art world is extensive. The dynamic duo are the California Art Club’s Santa Barbara Chapter Chairs, with Diane on the Board of the Art Foundation of Santa Barbara and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art Women’s Board. In addition, she was a former board member at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, has judged the Plein Air Salon Art Competition multiple times, and actively supports initiatives like the Art Walk and The Artist’s Table at the Museum of Natural History.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned collector, a visit to either Waterhouse Gallery location offers a window into the heart of one of Santa Barbara’s most enduring artistic partnerships.
WWW.WATERHOUSEGALLERY.COM
KELLEN MEYER
KELLEN MEYER
Kellen Meyer is a Santa Barbarabased fiber artist and sculptor whose large-scale installations reflect a deep ecological sensibility. She explores the intersection between art and nature within her pieces.
With a business degree and over three decades as an artist—including fiber art, clay work and sculpture—Meyer formally began her journey into fiber art installations seven years ago. “I wanted to take the skills I had acquired and learned over the years and create art pieces that reflect nature, push the limits of my creativity and utilize my curiosity to cultivate new ideas,” she explains. Her first large-scale work, a 13-foot-high knit sculpture, marked the start of a distinctive practice that blends scale, material, and message.
Meyer’s Carpinteria studio overlooks a bird sanctuary and offers glimpses of the ocean, both of which are integral to her creative process. “I count being outdoors—walking the beach with sand on my feet—as an extension of my studio time,” she says. Her materials— wool, canvas, paper, stones, shells, clay, and driftwood—are found in nature, sourced from local artisans, farms and businesses—mostly female-owned.
Each piece Kellen creates for galleries, public exhibitions, designers, or private clients, carries her signature thread of biophilia and ecological connectivity. Her work has been shown from California to Venice, Italy, where she will return this summer for an exhibition and artist residency in the town of Tarzo. “Through art, my hope is to connect to the wild outdoors and bring that sense of nature inside.”
Photo by Cecily Breeding
Photo by Sara Prince
KIM MCINTYRE
ART & SOUL
In the heart of Santa Barbara’s ARTS District, Kim McIntyre and her daughter Bella DiBernardo are transforming the traditional gallery model with Art & Soul, a vibrant space designed to blend contemporary art, community connection, and creative exploration. Founded in 2023, Art & Soul reflects McIntyre’s lifelong passion for storytelling through art and her belief in making art accessible and emotionally resonant. Originally from the Maine coast, McIntyre first made her mark with a gallery in New Hampshire before moving west to Santa Barbara, where her branding background further shaped her curatorial approach. Together with Bella, McIntyre has created a gallery that hosts rotating exhibitions, artist talks, and handson workshops, all while maintaining an atmosphere that invites both reflection and engagement. “My passion lies in building spaces that allow people to feel something,” McIntyre explains. “Whether it’s a sense of wonder, a connection to a piece of art, or just a moment to pause and reflect.”
The gallery’s design fosters that mission. With multiple “vignette moments,” a central room for intimate pieces, and an atelier space for immersive, hands-on experiences—from fine art workshops to thoughtfully curated creative sessions—Art & Soul goes beyond the static gallery. McIntyre notes, “We’re working to demystify the art gallery... and help people see art as part of their day-to-day lives.”
Art & Soul also hosts movement and sound healing classes and offers a podcast studio. McIntyre hopes to soon launch a podcast capturing the artist and curatorial experience behind exhibitions. This season, the gallery presents Blue Skies and Shimmering Seas, a solo exhibition by East Coast painter Brad Betts, followed by ¡Viva La Fiesta! featuring local artist Pedro De La Cruz, celebrating the vibrancy of Santa Barbara’s Fiesta traditions.
The gallery is as much a family endeavor as a community one. “She is an integral part of everything we do,” McIntyre says of Bella, who plays a key role in the gallery. “It’s been such a gift for me as a mother to watch her grow and develop through this.”
Photos by Beth Camp
SUSAN READ CRONIN
SUSAN READ CRONIN BRONZE SCULPTURES
From a running nose that dashes across the lawn to shoes climbing up a ladder, the whimsical bronze sculptures of Susan Read Cronin capture the playful imagination that defines her work. “A sense of wonder and play are important to me,” says Susie. “Strong silhouettes attract me. I describe my work as figurative, playful, and allegorical.”
Susie has been making bronzes for over 30 years. Currently, she models them in her Montecito studio and has them cast at a foundry in Oxnard with whom she closely collaborates. Her bronze sculptures have been featured in galleries and collected throughout the country, with her traveling exhibition Fables, Foibles, and Fairytales appearing in 20 museums nationwide.
Now, Susie is exploring new dimensions—literally. After casting thousands of pieces at a scale she could easily manipulate herself, she’s embarking on an exciting new direction by enlarging select works. The process comes with challenges: “Sometimes when things get bigger, you have to make some alterations because things that work when they were 12 inches don’t work when they're three feet,” Susie explains. These transformations require careful attention to detail, ensuring the back of the piece receives just as much focus as the front, while maintaining the essence of the original work.
“A sense of wonder and play are important to me,” Susie explains. This scale change allows her sculptures to move from shelf to lawn, creating new opportunities for interaction. A bronze dog can now greet visitors at the door, a bear on a turntable can be spun to face the corner or out into the room, depending on whether he’s been “good” or “bad.”
The process is what Susie calls “a team sport,” involving collaboration with skilled artisans who help bring her enlarged visions to life. “I love this collaboration with other artists,” she says. “I learn so much from them, and then it becomes a better piece as a result.”
Through it all, Susie maintains her focus on strong silhouettes and playful concepts. “I love it when a viewer brings their own story to one of my pieces.”
by Kim Reierson
Photo
COMMUNITY
Astrong, compassionate community doesn’t erupt out of nowhere. Through stewardship grounded in empathy and determined forward motion, these women are helping create inclusive services that empower underserved neighborhoods and vulnerable populations, from seniors and caregivers to families.
KATHRYN CHERKAS WESTLAND
FRIENDSHIP ADULT DAY CARE CENTER
For Kathryn Cherkas Westland, dementia care is deeply personal. As executive director of Friendship Center, a nonprofit adult day program for adults living with dementia, Westland brings both professional expertise and lived experience—having spent 13 years with her grandfather, who had advanced dementia. “That experience shaped not only my career path but my purpose,” she shares.
Founded in 1976, Friendship Center has served the Santa Barbara community with affordable, life-enriching care. Westland first joined as program manager in 2017, returned in 2023 as executive director, and quickly began implementing initiatives grounded in compassion and accessibility. Under her leadership, the Center has launched Herencia Latina, a culturally tailored Spanish-language program, and opened a satellite location in Carpinteria.
Westland emphasizes the breadth of services Friendship Center offers—including full personal care, resource navigation for families, and even incontinence support. “We are professional bathroom helpers,” she says with directness and emphasis. “Taking pride in it also helps reduce the stigma.”
The Center has also reintroduced transportation services, a critical support for many families. “Seven hours a day of full care and support, five days a week, at our sliding-scale rate—that’s pretty good,” she notes. True to its founding mission, no one is turned away for inability to pay.
Fundraising is a key part of sustaining this model. Westland has diversified revenue streams and pursued grant support—including the organization’s first-ever funding from the City of Santa Barbara specifically for continence care. These efforts help ensure Friendship Center can continue to serve all families regardless of financial circumstances.
Visibility and outreach are also central to the mission. “We’re not just serving the individual—we’re serving the whole family,” she explains. “A friend for the whole family—that’s who we aim to be.” Whether connecting caregivers with support groups or simply offering a safe space for elders to enjoy sunshine and music, the Center focuses on comfort and dignity.
FRIENDSHIPCENTERSB.ORG
mj: women | animal welfare agency
KERRI BURNS
SANTA BARBARA HUMANE
Celebrating its 138th anniversary, Santa Barbara Humane stands as one of the oldest and largest animal welfare agencies in the region—yet its evolution in recent years is what’s most striking. Since 2018, under the leadership of Kerri Burns, the organization has undergone a thoughtful transformation, expanding its reach and redefining its role in the community.
“When I first arrived, it was about listening—really understanding what the community needed and expected from us,” says Burns. That commitment to community led to a bold move in 2020: merging with the Santa Maria Valley Humane Society. The result was a unified, county-wide organization capable of offering accessible, compassionate care to more families than ever before.
Santa Barbara Humane’s services have grown by 25% annually since the merger, far surpassing the public’s traditional view of it as “just the place to adopt a pet.” Today, it’s a full-spectrum resource for pet families— offering veterinary care, dog training, a pet food pantry, and a referral network. “We want people to think of us if they have an issue or even a question about their animal,” Burns explains. “If we don’t have the answer, we’ll connect them to someone who does.”
The organization operates with a singular philosophy: “How do we get to yes?” That mindset drives every service and interaction. “We don’t judge,” says Burns. “Animals don’t judge us—why would we judge the people who love them?”
Equally important, Santa Barbara Humane is a fully independent nonprofit. “We don’t receive city, state, or national funding. Every dollar comes from our donors or program revenue,” she says. That financial model reflects its deep-rooted connection to the local community: “We’re here for the community and by the community.”
For Burns, leadership is about empowerment. “My staff are experts, and they’re encouraged to grow,” she says. “We’re not just reacting—we’re being proactive. We’re doing what’s best for the people and pets of Santa Barbara.”
At Santa Barbara Humane, it’s not just about animal welfare—it’s about building a resilient, compassionate community… especially for the furriest members of it.
LESLIE PERSON RYAN
FARM TO PAPER
Leslie Person Ryan is a Santa Barbara entrepreneur whose life threads together agriculture, paper artistry, and deep community advocacy. Founder of the longstanding Letter Perfect stationery shop, Leslie’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged early. “I tripled my size within three years,” she recalls, reflecting on launching the business in her early twenties. After nearly four decades in Montecito, the shop relocated to Summerland, merging with her farming efforts to become Farm to Paper – a unique space uniting paper goods with farm-fresh produce.
Raised on her family’s 1,000-acre lemon ranch in Upland, California, Leslie’s connection to the land is both personal and historical. This agricultural bond came full circle following the 2018 Montecito debris flow, which isolated Summerland and exposed local food insecurity. Troubled by the story of neighbors “fighting over the last stale sandwich,” Leslie launched Sweet Wheel Farms and the Santa Barbara Agriculture & Farm Education Foundation (SBAFE Foundation) to deliver chemicalfree produce to vulnerable populations across the county.
Her commitment to community action started decades earlier. In her twenties, Leslie led impactful initiatives including Friday Night Live Safe Rides, a youth-led service that helped eliminate local traffic fatalities from teen drinking and driving. She later coordinated the county’s Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), uniting 12 agencies to build a specialized care facility at Cottage Hospital. These formative projects reflected a lifelong drive to create systems that protect and empower the most vulnerable.
Her farm now supports over 250 individuals weekly, while their broader efforts alleviate food deserts for approximately 1,600 people. “We are fixing [the food system],” Leslie emphasizes, citing regenerative practices like biodiversity and soilfirst farming that make Sweet Wheel unique in Santa Barbara County. “We don’t spray pesticides… everything has a purpose,” she says, detailing the ecological harmony on the farm – from wasps managing pests to hawks and snakes supporting balance.
Farm to Paper encapsulates her vision: a retail and educational hub where handcrafted stationery and sustainable food intersect. “The older you get, the more important community activism is,” she says. With offerings like composting, beekeeping education, and food programs for medically fragile individuals, the business is more than a shop – it’s a living ecosystem that nourishes community ties.
FOOD & HOSPITALITY
Reimagining dining spaces and culinary education itself, these women elevate food from mere sustenance to a powerful conveyance of community, memory, cultural tradition, and dietary inclusivity. Through gastronomic creativity and innovative clarity, they are redefining how we experience food—what we eat, where we eat it, and how it unites us.
ELUBIA OROZCO
ELUBIA’S KITCHEN
Elubia Orozco’s culinary story began on the street corners of Asuncion Mita, Guatemala, where she learned to cook at age nine by helping food vendors in exchange for meals to take home. After immigrating to the U.S. at 20, she cleaned houses by day and sold potato taquitos at Santa Barbara soccer fields on weekends, never imagining that food would become her professional path.
Elubia went to Santa Barbara City College to learn English and graduated with a certificate in child development. A turning point came during her time at Peabody Charter School, where she worked in after-school programs. When she volunteered to make pupusas for a school fundraiser, the crowd response was overwhelming. “The line was at least 50 people,” her husband, Ruben, remembers. “And that’s how we knew: maybe there is a need for this.”
In 2019, Elubia and Ruben launched Elubia’s Kitchen, debuting at Santa Barbara’s Old Spanish Days Fiesta. They also sold their food at La Casa de la Raza for a year. Supported by Women’s Economic Ventures, they acquired a food trailer in 2021, expanding their reach at local festivals and setting up regularly at Santa Barbara Cider Company in Goleta. Their commitment to a fully gluten-free Latin American menu – sparked by Elubia’s own gluten allergy – resonated with many. “At every festival, there are always tons of people coming up and saying, ‘God, this is the first time I can go somewhere and eat the whole menu,’” Ruben shares.
Their menu – featuring pupusas, garnachas, tamales, and taquitos – draws from a blend of Guatemalan roots and broader Latin American flavors. The opening of their first restaurant in Isla Vista in February 2025 marked a new chapter.
The journey has not been without hardship. Elubia survived domestic violence and rebuilt her life with Ruben’s support. Her personal resilience has informed not only her business but her community focus. They regularly donate to organizations like Cottage Children’s Medical Center and Domestic Violence Solutions.
Most of all, Elubia treasures the emotional connections her food creates. Customers tell her it tastes like “their mother’s tortillas or grandma’s taquitos” – a testament to the power of handmade meals and heritage.
GILLIAN MURALLES
LILAC MONTECITO, LILAC PÂTISSERIE
Lilac Montecito may be the newest jewel in Gillian Muralles’ culinary crown, but it carries the essence of a decade-long journey that began in downtown Santa Barbara. After opening Lilac Pâtisserie in 2015, Gillian and her husband, Alam, marked 10 years of serving refined, entirely gluten-free cakes and pastries this past January. In early 2024, they opened Lilac Montecito, which Gillian calls “the sophisticated older sister” of the original location.
While the State Street pâtisserie established itself as a beloved quick-service destination, Lilac Montecito represents an evolution into fullservice dining. “In Montecito we really wanted it to be a place where locals could kind of walk down the street, pick up their paper and grab a coffee, sit down, have a pastry, or just meet some friends for lunch,” Gillian shares.
This second location is an intimate, L-shaped space designed for comfort and connection. It opened with dinner service and expanded to breakfast and lunch shortly after. “It’s such a cool thing to have an idea and then create this vision... when people walk in, all of a sudden it’s alive,” she says.
Gillian’s touch is evident in every corner of the experience—from the welcoming ambiance to the handcrafted recipes inspired by her family. “The fettuccine Alfredo we make is my dad’s recipe, and now he makes it with my kids,” she says. The menu, entirely gluten-free, includes everything from avocado toast and a turkey club to a rigatoni Bolognese and a butterflied branzino with brown butter sauce and toasted almonds.
As CEO, co-owner, and executive chef, Gillian emphasizes embodying what she calls “joyful service,” not only for guests but for staff as well. “We want to create a place where everyone wants to be—not just the customers,” she says.
Lilac Montecito isn’t just about food—it’s about cooking up moments. “It’s not complicated,” Gillian notes, “but it’s hard to do.”
Photo by JAM Photography
LISA BOISSET BABCOCK
BABCOCK WINERY & VINEYARDS
Born in California, Lisa Babcock’s formative years overseas as an expat were shaped by global travel thanks to her father’s career with the airlines. This exposure to diverse cultures sparked a lifelong love for art, design, and human connection. After graduating from Occidental College, Lisa carved out a dynamic career in fashion, becoming a vice president of design, buying, and merchandising at 31 years of age.
Though firmly rooted in Los Angeles, Lisa reconnected with Bryan Babcock—who she had met in college and whose family had transformed a former lima bean field into a vineyard in the late 1970s—and eventually joined him full time at Babcock Winery & Vineyards.
In 2012, Lisa had a bold idea: repurpose the winery’s functional, windowless warehouse into an immersive tasting room experience. “When I approached Bryan and suggested we turn our warehouse into the tasting room, he said how are we going to do that? It is ugly and has no windows!” she recalls. Embracing the challenge, she painted the walls black and gray and filled the space with a maze of stylish curiosities— framed vinyl records, vintage lockers, old photography tables, and thousands of one-of-a-kind finds.
The result is what Lisa calls “a happiness chamber,” a space that feels like a walk-through pop culture museum. “You could go there multiple times and not see the same thing,” she says. Visitors are encouraged to sip wine—or non-alcoholic beverages—and wander through layered vignettes that blend nostalgia, whimsy, and warmth. From plush seating areas to unexpected tchotchkes, the space invites exploration and delight.
“I focus more on the hospitality and the ambiance and some of the business strategy,” Lisa explains of her role at the winery, while Bryan continues to lead the winemaking. “Business is business whether you’re selling clothes or wine.”
Most recently, Lisa extended her creative vision to La Grange, Texas, where she and her daughter Chloe opened a women’s boutique in her 1907 restored building. Like the tasting room, it reflects Lisa’s love for designing spaces that stir emotion and foster connection.
women | cooking school
NANCY MARTZ
APPLES TO ZUCCHINI COOKING SCHOOL
Acounty native, Nancy Martz grew up in Santa Maria and found early inspiration in Santa Barbara’s vibrant community. Her journey to founding Apples to Zucchini Cooking School (AtoZ) in 2016 was shaped by a mix of experiences—ranging from working at Carey Cellars during college to volunteering in a thirdgrade classroom and taking a cooking class while in law school in San Francisco. “Twenty years later, I brought those two interests back together and started Apples to Zucchini Cooking School.”
The spark came when her son’s sixth-grade class participated in the “$1.50 Challenge,” simulating how to eat on a minimal budget. Nancy realized that the ability to cook is essential—and increasingly rare. “We are in our second generation of Americans who didn’t learn to cook in school,” she said. That realization led her to establish a nonprofit focused on empowering children to cook affordable, nutritious meals using local and seasonal ingredients.
Since its founding, AtoZ has evolved. What started as an after-school program for elementary students now includes adult classes, middle school electives, summer camps, and family-focused experiences. “Culinary is the key,” Nancy says, emphasizing that the school focuses on hands-on cooking education rather than nutritional statistics. The curriculum is enriched through partnerships with the Teaching Kitchen Collaborative and the Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives conference, bridging everyday cooking with scientific research and wellness.
Classes are about more than food preparation— they foster mindfulness and gratitude. “It isn’t just a cooking school,” she explains. “We really have a broader vision about incorporating food, cooking, sharing meals together... even washing the dishes can be a mindful practice.”
For Nancy, success isn’t measured in class enrollment. “My goal isn’t to sell a summer camp. My goal is for everybody to know how to cook and put a meal on the table and to share it with other people.”
Safeguard Your Summer
With the rise in visitors and traffic throughout Montecito this Summer, not everyone entering the community has good intentions. Recent high-profile burglaries have highlighted the need for proactive protection.
With your participation, we can put Patrol to work on your street, watching for threats and acting fast when it matters most. Adding a layer of protection not only to your property, but also to the Montecito community as a whole.
Post Alarm has protected Southern California’s most exclusive neighborhoods for nearly 70 years. For three generations, we have been privately owned, locally operated, and deeply committed to the safety of communities like Montecito.
Post Alarm Patrol Services are built to protect the entire community—not just individual homes. Our visible presence acts as a powerful deterrent against crime, helping to create a safer, more secure environment for everyone in Montecito.
• Marked Patrol Vehicles actively monitor your neighborhood, looking for suspicious activity.
• Armed Patrol Officers respond quickly to suspicious persons, vehicles, or alarm activations.
• Frequent Patrols increase visibility and act as a deterrent to criminal activity.
• Community Participation helps us protect more homes, more effectively.
HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES
This work runs the physiological gamut – from cutting-edge aesthetics to holistic wellness and beyond. These practitioners redefine how we approach longevity, confidence, and healthy self-possession. Through personally tailored care and inclusive platforms, they foster a culture of both wellness and human connection.
ALLISON PONTIUS, MD
ELEVATED AESTHETICS
Dr.Allison Pontius brings more than two decades of experience, expertise, and compassion to the heart of Montecito. A triple boardcertified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Pontius specializes in non-surgical facial rejuvenation—a discipline she’s both mastered and modernized under her brand, Elevated Aesthetics, housed within Turner Medical Arts.
Originally from California and a proud UC Santa Barbara alumna, Dr. Pontius spent 18 years on the East Coast building a distinguished career as a surgeon, clinical researcher, and educator. Her return to Santa Barbara in 2022 marked not only a homecoming but a purposeful pivot. “The pandemic was a turning point,” she reflects. “I wanted to raise my daughter near family, reconnect with the landscape that grounds me, and be part of a community I love.”
Today, she offers bespoke treatments that blend artistry with science—lasers, fillers, neuromodulators— all delivered with precision and a philosophy that prizes harmony over perfection. “My approach is subtle, undetectable enhancement,” she explains. “Patients come for the results, but stay for the relationship.”
Dr. Pontius is known not only for her clinical skill but for the time and care she dedicates to each patient. She views aesthetics as a long-term partnership, emphasizing connection, trust, and holistic well-being. “We’re not a med spa. We’re a practice built on integrity and collaboration,” she says, describing how she and her colleagues at Turner Medical Arts work across specialties to tailor comprehensive care for their patients.
Beyond her clinical role, Dr. Pontius is passionate about education and mentorship. With over a decade as a Principal Investigator for FDA studies and a history of speaking at national medical conferences, she continues to shape the future of aesthetics by training other providers and hosting UCSB interns eager to enter medicine. “It’s rewarding to give back to students who are where I once was,” she says.
At her core, Dr. Pontius is a leader grounded in authenticity, compassion, and purpose. As she and her husband—also a plastic surgeon—grow their practice in Montecito, her vision remains clear: “I just want to be the best at what I do and offer that to this area.”
by Kim Reierson
Photos
CRYSTAL GALLO
INNERHIVE
When Crystal Gallo’s grandmother was diagnosed with dementia, she faced an impossible choice. Her grandmother had been supporting Crystal’s uncle as he navigated cancer and suddenly, they both needed full-time care.
In an instant, Crystal and her husband made the instinctive but heavy decision to move both relatives from New York into their Santa Barbara home. “We thought working remotely would allow us to figure it out on the fly,” Crystal reflects. “We were wrong.”
The overwhelming reality of coordinating care was felt immediately. Between attending heart-wrenching appointments, making sense of the flood of information, and keeping track of growing medication lists, burnout hit fast. “I felt like I was picking myself up off the floor and piecing myself back together while in the midst of it,” Crystal recalls. But through candid conversations with friends, colleagues, and other families, Crystal discovered she wasn’t alone – millions of caregivers were quietly drowning in similar chaos, juggling care responsibilities, holding down full-time jobs and family life.
This shared struggle inspired Innerhive, a digital platform built by and for caregivers. With the tap of a button, the app’s note-taking tool captures and summarizes medical appointments. Caregivers can add clarity and organization to any care conversation while staying present for their loved one, offering immediate time and energy-saving relief. This is the first step towards balanced care.
“We didn’t want to add to anyone’s plate – we wanted to lighten the load,” says Crystal.
Innerhive streamlines appointment and medication tracking, makes it easy to share updates and keep family in the loop, and provides connection to resources and wellness tools. It’s a system of care for the people holding it all together.
“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it’s also the most meaningful,” Crystal reflects.
“The role of caregiver is one we are all likely to step into at some point in our lives. Innerhive wasn’t built just to help the caregivers of today. It was built to shape the future of caregiving by promoting wellness and preserving connection during life’s most difficult times.”
JESSICA BARKER
JESSICA BARKER MEDICAL AESTHETICS
At Jessica Barker Medical Aesthetics in downtown Santa Barbara, the atmosphere is intentionally calm and private, offering patients a space that feels more like a retreat than a clinic. Located above the Villa Wine Bar, the office provides a discreet setting where clients can feel at ease from the moment they arrive. “Usually on a person’s first visit, I’ll do photographs and a full facial assessment,” Jessica explains. “It’s about creating a game plan for how to keep them looking and feeling their best over the years to come.”
With over 25 years of experience as a Physician Assistant, Jessica’s path into medical aesthetics began in neurology, using Botox for headache prevention. That early experience with injectables evolved into a passion for cosmetic dermatology and plastic surgery. For 15 years, she worked alongside Dr. Douglas Mackenzie before establishing her own practice five years ago under the supervision of Dr. Steve Yoelin.
Today, Jessica offers a comprehensive menu of treatments including Botox, injectable fillers, microneedling, chemical peels, and laser resurfacing. Two of her most requested services are Botox and microneedling. “We also do PRF injections,” she explains, “which are kind of like PRP injections where we draw the blood and use the healthy cells to improve the quality of the skin.”
Jessica is committed to continuing education and frequently travels to conferences and trainings, and she serves as a trainer for Allergan Medical Institute. “There’s been a shift towards regenerative medicine— using our body’s own resources for improving quality of skin and appearance overall. It yields more natural and sometimes safer results.”
Her team includes aesthetic nurses Carina and Haley, both extensively trained and practicing with her shared philosophy. “I pride myself on very natural, subtle changes— nothing that people would really be able to pick out, just that you look refreshed and rested and your best self.”
For Jessica, the greatest reward is in the transformation she sees in her patients’ confidence. “When I hear things like, ‘I didn’t used to like to go out of the house without putting on makeup, and now I feel really good about myself,’ that’s what feels the best.”
Photos by Andri
Beauchamp
KAREN SPAULDING
TURNER MEDICAL ARTS / THE VAGINA DOCTOR PODCAST
Karen Spaulding arrived in Santa Barbara at 18 to attend college and never left, building a professional path that spans sales, event marketing, and most recently, health care. Today, she plays a pivotal role at Turner Medical Arts (TMA), where she leads marketing and business development efforts, and is the creator and co-host of The Vagina Doctor Podcast.
Initially an English Literature major, Spaulding’s early career began at Santa Barbara Magazine, followed by a transition into luxury event marketing. After having her daughter, she found herself at the forefront of modernizing TMA’s digital presence. “That was really the beginning of my job with Turner Medical Arts—getting them into the modern day world of technology,” she explains.
Her contributions extend beyond the office. Spaulding launched The Vagina Doctor Podcast to connect patients and providers and foster a broader community dialogue around women’s health. “Everything for me is about collaboration,” she says. “It’s about building a community for our patients that they feel like they’re getting the best care—and that’s what makes us different.”
At Turner Medical Arts, that care is rooted in legitimacy and trust. “We are first and foremost a medical practice,” Spaulding emphasizes. Under the leadership of Dr. Duncan Turner, the practice has earned a reputation for progressive and personalized women’s health care.
Spaulding also helped create the TMA Alliance to support new medical professionals in Santa Barbara, often providing them a launchpad to establish their own practices. Her internship program with UCSB has further expanded the practice’s educational role, bringing in students eager to learn and contribute. “We pay them well, they’re learning a lot, and I love having them in the office.”
Spaulding’s fulfillment comes from helping others. “I never thought I would be in the medical field... but it’s the perfect fit,” she says. “While I don’t often step into the spotlight, I care deeply about the impact we’re making—not just in patient care, but in creating space for innovation, education, and collaboration. I’m proud of the work we do at Turner Medical Arts and feel lucky to be part of something that’s always evolving with heart and purpose.”
Photos by Kim Reirerson
RANDEE HALUSZKA BROOKINS
AGE MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE
MSO FOR ETERNITY HEALTH PARTNERS
Randee Haluszka Brookins, co-owner of the Age Management Institute MSO for Eternity Health Partners, is devoted to helping individuals take control of their health and longevity. Originally from Canada, she arrived in Santa Barbara two decades ago for a short family visit—and never left. “I remember when I first got [to] Santa Barbara… going to the farmers market and saying, is this real life?” she recalls.
Randee’s path to wellness began in an unlikely setting: a martial arts studio owned by her aunt and uncle. Though she had no prior interest in martial arts, she immersed herself, eventually running the studio’s kickboxing and nutrition program and earning a third-degree black belt. That decade instilled in her a deep understanding of breathwork, nutrition, and mindset—tools she now integrates into her health philosophy.
Nearly 10 years ago, Randee joined forces with her partner, who had transitioned from nuclear to functional medicine. Together, they built Eternity Health Partners with a focus on relationships and patient empowerment. “We’re partnering with you on your health,” Randee says. “Giving… the health back in your hands so that [you] can make better decisions, not just lean on us.”
Eternity Health Partners offers a range of services designed to uncover the root causes of health concerns and create personalized solutions. The clinic conducts extensive lab work to assess hormone levels, vitamin deficiencies, and gut health. Common patient concerns include sleep disturbances, stress, brain fog, and low energy. Treatments may involve natural hormone therapy, high-quality supplementation, and peptide protocols, all supported by continuous education and monthly followups. By integrating these services with a philosophy of empowerment, the practice helps clients navigate their wellness journeys with clarity and confidence.
“I love seeing the transformation of our patients and them getting the results that they want,” Randee shares—a reminder that for her, success lies in real, human impact.
Photo by Lucia Kiel
mj: women | plastic surgeon
Photo by Brie Childers
SARA YEGIYANTS
SARA YEGIYANTS MD FACS PLASTIC SURGERY AND SKIN SPA
At the heart of Dr. Sara Yegiyants’ Santa Barbarabased boutique practice lies a singular vision: to merge surgical precision with artistic intuition. A triple board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Yegiyants has spent over a decade building a patient experience centered on natural, refined, and undetectable aesthetic results.
“Plastic surgery is the ultimate fusion of art and science,” she says. “You’re still practicing your art – only now, the canvas is the human body.”
Her path to plastic surgery began with a foundation in fine arts and a rich family lineage of artists, both of which continue to shape her aesthetic sensibility. After nearly a decade of rigorous surgical training, Dr. Yegiyants relocated to Santa Barbara in 2015, becoming only the second female plastic surgeon in the city’s history – a milestone in a field where women represent just 19% of board-certified plastic surgeons.
She is widely recognized for her expertise in complex breast revision procedures and advanced facial rejuvenation techniques, including deep plane facelifts, eyelid surgery, and endoscopic brow lifts. Her med spa complements these services with regenerative treatments – from stem cell therapies to cutting-edge lasers – designed to enhance outcomes and extend longevity.
A standout offering in her practice is breast sensation restoration – a highly specialized microsurgical technique that allows women to regain chest sensitivity after mastectomy. “It’s deeply connected to a woman’s identity and sense of self,” she explains. “Restoring that feeling is profoundly meaningful.”
Dr. Yegiyants is known for producing results that harmonize with each patient’s natural features. “My patients often say, ‘It just looks like me – only better,’” she notes. Her aesthetic philosophy favors anatomical balance and timeless elegance over fleeting trends, resulting in outcomes that age beautifully.
As a mother of two daughters, Dr. Yegiyants brings empathy, intuition, and a deep understanding of the female perspective to her work. “The best part of my job is seeing someone walk back in, glowing with confidence. That’s when I know we’ve done something truly transformative.”
1106A State St, Downtown Santa Barbara, CA 93101
SS25 by Hagop Kalaidjian | Milos Island, Greece
INTERIOR DESIGN & HOME IMPROVEMENT
With personalized design, technical prowess, and unfiltered focus on how people truly live, these women craft spaces that balance spatial allure with function. These creatives prove that comfort, efficiency, and elegance are not a “choose two” proposition, but a seamless trifecta – home design as both emotional sanctuary and luminous lifestyle statement.
CHRISTI KAEFER-CLAYTON
PROJECTS GENERAL CONSTRUCTION
From the earliest days of her childhood in Fremont, California, Christi Kaefer-Clayton was captivated by how things are constructed. “At a very early age, I had a passion for learning how everyday things were made from raw materials,” she recalls. This fascination led her on a path through community college courses in graphic design, interior design, and architecture, eventually culminating in a transformative construction class that shifted her passion from drawing designs to bringing them to life.
It wasn’t until Kaefer-Clayton's final year at Cal Poly that she found her calling. A field trip to Santa Barbara introduced her to the custom builder Giffin and Crane, where she watched a mason building a rock wall with meticulous care. “After seeing the quality of the workmanship and the care and attention that the mason put towards his craft, I knew the custom builder who hired this artisan was high quality,” she says. “I wanted to continue to grow in the construction industry with that company.”
She did exactly that—starting as an estimator for Giffin and Crane, then buying into its Kitchen and Bathroom remodeling division and in 2016, purchasing the company outright and renaming it Projects General Construction. Since then, she has built Santa Barbara’s only all-female construction company. “As women, we’re approachable. Clients don’t hesitate to ask us questions, and I think they feel more valued and appreciated with us,” says Kaefer-Clayton. “We communicate with clients as much as possible. I think that’s a key ingredient to becoming a good contractor.”
Her company has expanded from kitchens and bathrooms to include full remodels, additions, and new builds. Kaefer-Clayton’s latest endeavor, in partnership with Girls Inc., brings her story full circle: a two-week summer course teaching girls the role of math and hands-on skills in construction. “I want to teach girls at a young age that they can find their passion in life and pursue that,” she says. “You don’t have to be in a typical female role.”
women | general contractor
mj: women | landscape architect
COURTNEY JANE MILLER
CJM::LA
Anyone who has spent time outdoors has encountered the subtle power of landscape architecture. From plazas and parks to playgrounds and private gardens, these spaces are the domain of landscape architects – professionals who balance infrastructure, beauty, and environmental care to shape the world around us. “We’re responsible for shaping the outdoor environment,” says Courtney Jane Miller, founder of the Santa Barbara-based studio CJM::LA.
Courtney launched CJM::LA in 2013 with a vision to bring rigor, storytelling, and artistic clarity to the field. Her firm has become a standard-bearer for thoughtful, research-driven design on California’s Central Coast. Whether collaborating on historic restorations or modern estates, CJM::LA brings a distinct blend of precision and creativity. “We’re interested in storytelling and the social and architectural heritage of the properties we're working on,” she shares.
This ethos shines through in projects like the Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, where the firm preserved the site’s historic openness while integrating olive trees reflective of Los Olivos’ agricultural roots, and the Direct Relief Headquarters, where boulders salvaged from the Montecito mudflow serve as sculptural donor recognition markers. Other projects range from multi-family housing to civic and hospitality spaces, all grounded in the belief that well-designed outdoor environments are essential to how we live and thrive.
Courtney emphasizes that landscape architecture is not about decoration – it’s about space. Her team designs everything from custom fountains to civic plazas, producing technical drawings and overseeing construction to ensure every material, plant, and design element works in harmony. “We develop the project narrative and design concept, produce the drawings... and then we have our wonderful collaborative partners that build everything for us,” she explains.
From her short walk to the office to her role in shaping Santa Barbara’s public and private landscapes, Courtney leads with humility and focus. “I’m incredibly lucky. I have such an amazing team… I’m just so grateful for them,” she says.
Photo by Ingrid Bostrom
photo by Caitlin Atkinson
Photo by Caitlin Atkinson
GILLIAN AMERY
THE KITCHEN COMPANY
For nearly four decades, Gillian Amery has been transforming kitchens – and the lives within them – through her Santa Barbara-based business, The Kitchen Company. What began with a fine art degree from England and an interior design program at Santa Barbara City College evolved into a family-run enterprise focused on the heart of the home.
“Kitchens are where people tend to gather,” Amery says. “So much is focused around food nowadays, it’s just a wonderful space for everyone to be in.” Her process is deeply collaborative and starts with listening. “I ask a lot of questions... I love to hear all about them and their life and their children,” she explains, ensuring every design reflects the way each family truly lives.
Since launching the company 37 years ago, Amery has seen trends come and go. Her work has kept pace with shifting lifestyles, from closed kitchens to open concepts where “everybody can be very involved.” Today’s preferences lean toward what Amery calls the “unfitted kitchen,” incorporating open shelving, artistic elements, and even artwork in lieu of wall-towall cabinetry.
Amery’s husband handles the contracting side of the business, her assistant is married to one of the company's lead team members, and her brother manages permitting and planning.
“We’re very much a family business,” she says. "We collaborate on everything from kitchens, baths, closets, to full interior remodels."
She finds her greatest satisfaction in moments of shared inspiration: “I absolutely love it when I come up with an idea and it works for my clients.” From advising on appliances to selecting finishes, Amery and her team deliver not just beautiful kitchens, but meaningful whole home transformations.
by Kim Reierson
photos
women | interior design
MARGARITA BRAVO
MARGARITA BRAVO
LUXURY INTERIOR DESIGN
Margarita Bravo brings a unique blend of engineering precision and artistic creativity to the world of interior design. After earning her degree in industrial engineering and moving to Colorado over 20 years ago, Bravo discovered her passion while building her dream home in 2011. That experience laid the foundation for MARGARITA BRAVO Luxury Interior Design, which she launched in 2016.
With studios in Montecito, Denver, Miami, and Barcelona, Bravo’s firm reflects her global perspective and deep understanding of how clients want to live. Her process is notably comprehensive—often beginning before a client has even purchased a property. “We go to see the potential properties with the real estate agents and clients,” she explains, “and we’re able to walk through the possibilities of the space.”
Bravo’s design ethos is rooted in enduring style and functionality. “We focus on designing timeless spaces no matter what actual style they like. We want to make sure that there are designs that really live and feel up to date for many years to come,” she says. From architectural planning to final details, every step is handled with intention and empathy.
Her work in different cities influences her design language. In Miami, for example, she notes a shift from stark modernism to a warmer, more colorful aesthetic. “It’s not about the trend… it’s about what they like and what they love, and how they see themselves living in their space,” Bravo emphasizes.
Adding to her design firm, Bravo co-founded Sorella Furniture with her sister, creating custom pieces handcrafted in Portugal. “We always try to incorporate in our projects at least one or two pieces that we really design and create for that particular project,” she says, ensuring each space feels uniquely curated.
For Bravo, fulfillment comes from her clients’ joy. “It makes me so happy just to think how many memories they’re going to create in their spaces.”
MARINE SCHUMANN
BRIGHTEN SOLAR CO.
Twelve years ago, Marine Schumann left France for Santa Barbara and saw something unexpected – bare rooftops in one of the sunniest cities in California.
“Looking at the roofs on top of the Riviera, we’re like, there’s nothing – it’s bare,” she recalls. This observation became the spark for Brighten Solar Co., the company she co-founded with her husband and a mission to bring sustainable, aesthetically integrated solar energy solutions to the region.
Before Brighten, Schumann was a project manager in the hospitality industry, focusing on sustainability for global brands within the Accor Group. Her experience implementing ISO 14001 certifications across diverse international locations laid a strong foundation for her next chapter. When she arrived in Santa Barbara, she leveraged her background in marketing and sustainability to identify a gap in the solar market and built her company from the ground up – conducting local research, engaging with city planners and architects, and developing a business model tailored to the community’s needs.
Brighten Solar Co. distinguishes itself with its Frenchinspired approach to solar aesthetics. “People keep saying that the French Riviera is beautiful and has beautiful architecture. We have so much solar there,” Schumann says, emphasizing the seamless integration of solar panels into design-conscious environments.
Navigating a male-dominated industry hasn’t been without its hurdles, but Schumann chose to channel that experience into innovation and expansion. “We were two young French kids coming out of nowhere... and I think we surprised everyone,” she says. “We built everything from scratch – we didn’t know anyone, we didn’t take shortcuts –and that pushed us to deliver outstanding design solutions and grow our portfolio across a wide range of projects.”
Brighten Solar Co. has since earned a reputation for exceptional customer service and professionalism. “Once we wrap up the project, we want them to feel like, ‘Wow, this was just the easiest construction project I’ve ever gone through,’” she explains.
For Schumann, this work is deeply personal. “I like to feel like I can bring more control to people. I can solve very tangible problems,” she says. In a region increasingly affected by climate vulnerabilities and power outages, Brighten Solar Co. offers more than technology – it offers peace of mind and resilience.
women | interior design
MELISSA MOHR BROWN AND NATALIE GREENSIDE
MN STUDIO INTERIORS
Melissa Mohr Brown and Natalie Greenside are the dynamic duo behind MN Studio Interiors, a Santa Barbara-based firm rooted in transformative, client-focused design. Their journey together began at Cearnal Collective, where they worked collaboratively before launching MN Studio – a venture defined by creativity and a purposeful design approach.
With a combined professional history of over three decades, the pair bring complementary strengths to the practice. Melissa, a Bowling Green State University graduate and licensed designer since 2014, has a robust portfolio and a career including roles at HOK and DLR Group, and a 22-month travel sabbatical that deeply influenced her aesthetic sensibilities. Mel leads the workplace and hospitality studios within the firm and thrives on the diversity of project types and creative range her team gets to implement each day.
Natalie, a Santa Barbara native, was brought up in a creative family. With a degree from the Academy of Art University, she blends design knowledge with an intuitive grasp of client needs. Leading the residential studio, she strives to produce chic, livable interiors and has proven that understanding a client’s needs through thoughtful programming and the ability to truly listen are her special skills and passion. MN Studio is not just about aesthetics – it’s about crafting spaces that function beautifully. Supported by a highly talented all-female team, their work focuses on custom residential, commercial, and hospitality project types, always tailored to reflect the individuality of each client. They emphasize exceptional customer service and a collaborative process, overseeing projects from concept through completion.
MN Studio merges timeless design with practical elegance, creating environments that are both engaging and efficient. Their firm continues to leave a mark on the local design scene; recent projects include Lilac Montecito, Lion’s Tale Bar, Healthspan Montecito, The Post Montecito, CEC’s Environmental Hub, and several private residences.
MONICA SENN
MONICA SENN INTERIOR DESIGN
Monica Senn’s approach to interior design is deeply personal, both for herself and her clients. As the founder of Monica Senn Interior Design, based in Santa Barbara, she brings more than two decades of experience to each project, with a focus on creating spaces that are both beautiful and tailored to the people who inhabit them
“My design is a reflection of the client, not of me,” she explains. “It’s about how they live, what they enjoy, and how they want their home to feel.” This client-first philosophy has led Monica to work on everything from expansive Montecito estates to cozy downtown condos. She embraces every opportunity, stating, “I don’t say no to work because I’m so fortunate to be able to do what I love every day.”
Much of her expertise was shaped during early years working in her mother’s home remodeling business. That hands-on experience taught her the nuances of design—from finishes and fixtures to the emotional resonance of furnishings. “Most people don’t know the details that go into good design,” she says, “they just know how it feels.” It’s that sensory experience—how a space feels—that she’s most interested in delivering.
Monica’s commitment doesn’t end when a project wraps. Long-term relationships are a hallmark of her business. “I’ve had clients I’ve worked with for 20 years,” she says. “It’s intimate work, and the trust they place in me is something I do not take for granted.” Whether she’s updating a beloved family home or responding to a small update request years later, Monica remains dedicated to her clients’ evolving needs.
She also shares her passion by mentoring Santa Barbara City College students, continuing a legacy of women-led entrepreneurship. “My mother was very independent and ran her own company—that made an impact on me,” she reflects.
Her love for the craft is undiminished. “I’m excited to go to work every day and be creative,” Monica says. “That creativity—it never stops.”
women | interior design
RACHEL FORTE-TUTTLE
FORTE STONE
Rachel Forte-Tuttle, co-founder of Forte Stone, turned a chance encounter in a Brazilian hotel lobby into a thriving stone importing business that has shaped design aesthetics across the West Coast. Originally from Vitória, Brazil, Rachel arrived in Santa Barbara for a six-month ESL course, never imagining she’d stay for decades or become a pioneer in natural stone imports.
Forte Stone began in 2003 after a wedding-planning trip introduced Rachel and her husband, John Tuttle, to a Brazilian stone supplier. “This Brazilian guy with absolutely very little English approached John… thinking that John is the Canadian guy that he went there to meet,” Rachel recalls. The misunderstanding sparked a friendship, and the man – who turned out to be from Rachel’s hometown – became both a mentor in the business and a close friend to this day. Starting with just six colors of stone, Forte Stone now offers close to 200 varieties, sourced from Brazil, Italy, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Portugal, and India. Rachel’s “boutique” approach – offering unique selections not found in larger slab yards – has earned Forte Stone a loyal clientele spanning from Santa Barbara to Idaho. Customer service is Rachel’s cornerstone. “I want them to feel like they are my only clients,” she says. Many visitors come with little knowledge of stone. Rachel educates them on the differences between quartz, quartzite, granite, and marble. She cherishes helping clients discover “something timeless, bold, or uniquely theirs.”
Though Forte Stone does not handle installation, Rachel personally connects clients with trusted contractors and fabricators. “We try to be ahead of the game,” she explains, crediting her success to a mix of instinct, trend awareness, and close supplier relationships. “If I buy well, I sell well,” she adds – a philosophy that keeps prices fair while maintaining high quality.
At its heart, Forte Stone is a family business built on passion and integrity. “I love it to my veins,” Rachel says. That love radiates through every slab selected, every client interaction, and every beautifully finished home.
photo by Mena Photography
RIO BARRETT
HOUSE OF RIO
At House of Rio, the aesthetic is unmistakable: a coastal French influence that balances the breezy elegance of Santa Barbara living with timeless European details. “It’s not that Tuscan look,” says founder Rio Barrett. “It’s very clean coastal with some French nods.” This distinctive style is reflected across every facet of the 3,000-square-foot showroom, a space that serves both as a design studio and lifestyle boutique.
Barrett has shaped House of Rio into a destination where clients can immerse themselves in the textures, scents, and forms that define her work. “We do custom upholstery, we have candles, we have clothing in the front,” she explains. It’s not just about home design –it’s about creating a full sensory experience.
The shop’s top-selling items – pillows, candles, and clothing – are curated to complement the interiors she designs, making the showroom an extension of the homes she helps shape. Every detail is intentional. From handmade soaps and olive oils to vintage French artwork, Barrett’s biannual sourcing trips to France fill the store with unique pieces that embody her aesthetic.
House of Rio sets itself apart by offering a fullspectrum experience. Working alongside her contractor husband and brother (Barrett Living), Barrett delivers a “true one-stop shop like concierge building,” guiding clients from initial drafts to the final accessory placement. This comprehensive approach fosters lasting bonds with clients. “Most of our clients end up being family to us... they sometimes invite us over for Thanksgiving,” she shares.
Her hands-on approach extends from remodels to full-scale design and build services. Partnering with her husband and brother through their respective contracting businesses, Barrett provides what she calls “true one-stop shop like concierge building. We go from initial plans, to concepts, build it, furnish it, accessorize it, the whole nine.”
For Barrett, the ultimate reward lies in client reactions: “The most amazing part... is seeing the client’s face when they see it for the first time... an instant sense of home and gratitude in their eyes.”
mj: women | interior design
SAMANTHA KEEPING
KEEPING INTERIORS
Samantha Keeping launched Keeping Interiors in 2001 after more than a decade immersed in both the aesthetic and technical sides of the industry. From an internship that became her first job to running interior design departments for builders, her formative years gave her experience in “the school of hard knocks.” With degrees in Design and Business, she built her own firm from the ground up—literally starting from a card table and a Rolodex.
Two decades later, Samantha continues to design interiors in Montecito, Hope Ranch, the Riviera and beyond—still believing that “good design significantly enhances life,” but her work begins with the client. “It’s not about me, it’s about them. It’s their home,” she says. Whether orchestrating a full-scale residential renovation or outfitting a commercial space, Samantha’s commitment is to deliver an environment that feels deeply personal. “I want my clients to feel that their space… is unique to them.”
Trust is foundational to her process. “If the client really trusts you and lets you do what you do, that to me is like gold,” she says. This trust often translates into freedom—many of her vacation-home clients hand her the keys and disappear for six months, returning to find their vision fully realized. Samantha sees each client relationship as a collaborative journey built on communication and reliability. “You have to gain the client’s trust first… They’re looking for you to be authoritative—not bossy—but confident, with a process and a team to support it.”
Celebrating her 25th anniversary next year, she has steered this women-owned business through shifts in technology, project complexity, and client sophistication, always adapting. “I’m constantly growing and changing with the times,” she notes, embracing cloud-based systems and remote collaboration.
After all these years, Samantha's passion for design keeps her as hands-on as ever. She remains deeply involved in every project alongside her trusted team, while nurturing lasting connections with both new clients and those who return to her again and again. This commitment to relationships allows her to shape spaces that are as thoughtful as they are beautiful.
TAMI CHAMBERS
SANTA BARBARA GREEN CLEAN
Santa Barbara Green Clean isn’t just another cleaning service – it’s a reflection of founder Tami Chambers’ values. As a vegan and lifelong advocate for chemical-free living, Tami’s journey to entrepreneurship began with a simple realization: there weren’t enough cleaning services that aligned with her beliefs. “I’ve always been vegan, wanted to live clean, and I’ve always believed in not using chemicals for cleaning, so I raised my kids that way,” she explains.
That philosophy formed the bedrock of Santa Barbara Green Clean, a female-owned, family-run business that has grown from humble beginnings into a respected name in Santa Barbara. At the core of the service is a commitment to health, sustainability, and heart. “People really liked the products that I was making. They liked that I was making them myself and scenting them with essential oils,” Tami says.
The company’s signature? Custom-made cleaning products. Tami uses an organic soap base called Basic H®, enhanced with germicide, water, and customerselected essential oils. Lavender and lemongrass are perennial favorites, while peppermint proves useful during spider season – and doubles as a deterrent for ants and other pests.
Tami is clear about the harm of conventional cleaners: “It’s bad all the way around. It’s bad to breathe. It’s bad for the planet, it’s bad for your animals, it’s bad for your skin. It causes respiratory issues,” she says, emphasizing the often-overlooked health risks of chemical exposure.
Santa Barbara Green Clean primarily serves residential clients, with commercial accounts making up about a quarter of their business. Regardless of the job, the goal is to leave behind an environment that promotes peace of mind and wellbeing. “I want them to feel happy like they have a clean, fresh space to be in, that’s chemical free and smells good,” Tami shares.
And even with a thriving business, she remains deeply involved. “I actually still love doing the actual cleaning myself when I get the opportunity,” she admits, calling it “very therapeutic.”
women | interior design & exterior shade
VALERIE PAMPEL
PAMPEL DESIGN
Valerie Pampel co-founded Pampel Design with her husband, Daniel, in 2017 after relocating from South Alabama to Santa Barbara. Their journey began with a bold leap—selling everything and moving their family west without jobs but with the conviction that they would succeed. “I wasn’t sure what we would do since we moved out here without jobs, but I had confidence in who I am and, in my ability, to adapt and thrive in any circumstance. I knew we would figure it out,” Valerie recalls.
Prior to the move, they had been running Daniel’s mother’s window covering franchise in South Alabama, which Valerie had managed independently for its final few years. Upon arriving in Santa Barbara, they began subcontracting installation and design services within the local window covering industry, gradually building relationships and insight that would later support the launch of their own business.
Today, Pampel Design is known for its luxury interior and exterior shade solutions. With over 24 years of industry experience, Valerie brings deep expertise in custom motorized blinds, drapery, shutters, awnings, canopies, and pergolas with louver roofs. The couple’s decision to open their own sew room during the pandemic—after a key fabricator dropped their account—allowed them to elevate their business by producing custom projects in-house. “If they can’t keep up with our growth, we’ll build it ourselves— and we’ll do it even better,” she says. This decisive pivot demonstrated not only their adaptability but also Valerie’s strength and resilience in transforming a major hurdle into an opportunity for growth.
What sets Valerie apart in a traditionally male-dominated space is her empathetic approach. “In an industry driven by the hard sell, I lead with empathy. I listen first, understand what truly matters, and then find solutions that genuinely serve—that’s what sets me apart.” As a mother of three, she finds that her personal experiences strengthen her professional ones, especially in understanding and addressing client needs.
Valerie’s fearless mindset has helped drive the company’s innovation and growth, from embracing smart home integrations like Lutron and Somfy to expanding into hospitality and winery projects. “Go for it, don’t be afraid, take the next step for growth and just trust yourself,” she encourages fellow entrepreneurs.
LEGAL & FINANCIAL SERVICES
These women are redefining financial trust and strategy with a clientelevating, relationship-driven approach which ensures that wealth, business, and legacy are managed with precision. Technical expertise, empathy, and attentiveness interlock as a forward-looking whole, assuring that books are balanced, assets protected, and futures funded.
ANDREA G. POSEY
COOPERS LLP
Andrea G. Posey is a personal injury attorney and partner at Coopers LLP, where she handles some of the firm’s most challenging and emotionally charged cases, including wrongful deaths, catastrophic injuries, and complex product liability claims. Her legal journey began in Santa Barbara, where she studied at UCSB and continued through law school at night while working full-time at a local defense firm.
Posey’s legal path evolved from insurance defense to passionately advocating for injured individuals. “I didn’t want my clients to be insurance companies anymore. I want to be on the other side of it—we’re representing the injured party. And that actually has been my true passion,” she explains. Her experience on both sides of the courtroom gives her a unique perspective on how insurance companies operate and how best to advocate for clients navigating trauma and uncertainty.
The cases Coopers LLP manages are often large in scale and impact: a paralyzing five-car crash involving a semi-truck, severe dog mauling incidents, and litigation arising from major natural disasters like the Thomas Fire and subsequent mudslides. “Our clients turn to us during the most vulnerable moments of their lives,” she says. “I try to always make sure that my clients feel like I’ve taken the burden... You focus on your recovery, and let me take on the heavy lifting.”
Her personal connection to her work is rooted in a family tragedy—the loss of her cousin in a distracted driving accident—an experience that deeply shaped her commitment to justice.
Now in her fourth year with Coopers LLP, she’s found a firm that mirrors her values. “We have 3 female partners. It's been really progressive to see more women in leadership roles," she notes. "Litigation can be difficult for women since this has historically been a male dominated field... but I would encourage more and more women to throw their hat in the ring.”
women | wealth management
ANTONIA LA ROCCA
SAIGE PRIVATE WEALTH MANAGEMENT
Antonia La Rocca’s path to founding Saige Private Wealth Management was shaped by decades of experience and a commitment to delivering deeply personalized financial guidance. With a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Loyola Marymount University and a master’s in taxation from USC, Antonia began her career managing a medical services business, then transitioned into a CPA tax consulting role at a major international firm. It was during her years consulting in Los Angeles and commuting from Santa Barbara that she saw a gap in how financial services were being delivered— especially for families.
In 2022, she took a leap and launched Saige Private Wealth Management, an all-female, bilingual team focused on tax-aware, holistic financial planning. “I think if I were going to use one word, we’re the glue,” she explains. “We really become sort of the orchestra leader, taking all the pieces—CPA, estate attorney, business consultant—and putting them together to deliver the right outcome for the client.”
Antonia’s CPA background and nearly three decades in financial services at firms like Dean Witter Reynolds, Smith Barney, and UBS have given her a technical foundation that’s rare in the field. Yet what sets her apart is her commitment to listening: “Women are naturally predisposed to be more active listeners… instead of coming at a client with a preconceived notion, we tailor solutions based on their needs.”
Her current pursuit—a second master’s in gerontology at USC—was inspired by a personal experience assisting a friend in a psychiatric crisis. It deepened her understanding of the challenges faced by aging individuals, especially those without family. This perspective informs her work, allowing her to help clients prepare for life’s transitions with insight and empathy.
As a single mother who adopted and raised her daughter on her own, Antonia brings sensitivity and real-world understanding to her practice. “It gave me insight into the emotional and financial pressure of being a parent,” she says. That lived experience reinforces her mission: to support clients not just with strategy, but with care.
GAMBLE PARKS
FENNEMORE
In the heart of Santa Barbara, where legacy often intertwines with lifestyle, Gamble Parks offers families a unique kind of assurance – one that comes from knowing their estate is in thoughtful, experienced hands. At Fennemore, Parks focuses exclusively on estate planning, guiding clients through the preparation of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, as well as managing post-death estate administration.
“Typically, when you go see a lawyer, it’s because you have a problem,” Parks says. “But with estate planning, you’re just trying to plan for the efficient transfer of your assets at death and take care of your family.” This proactive approach fosters long-term relationships, often extending across generations. Parks adds, “I often do get to know the children and the grandchildren, and follow them along as they start careers and go to college and are trying to buy a first house.”
For families, this kind of enduring relationship offers more than just legal support – it provides peace of mind. “There’s a really great sense of comfort… just knowing that things are settled and locked in,” she reflects. That comfort extends to the moments that matter most: when a loved one passes, families can rest assured that their wishes will be respected and executed with care.
“Making sure that the surviving spouse will be provided for and have a resource in me to help… that their wishes with respect to their children or their charitable legacies are also going to be carried out,” she explains.
“What I value most at Fennemore is the culture –it’s forward-thinking and collaborative, which really lets me concentrate on what’s important: being fully engaged with my clients and creating estate plans that truly reflect their goals and values.”
Outside the office, Parks is deeply engaged with the Santa Barbara community and enjoys time with her husband and son, often outdoors hiking and camping. Her role as both a professional and community member adds another layer of trust and connection to her practice.
women | wealth management
JACQUELINE DURAN
DURAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
At Duran Capital Management, Jacqueline Duran brings a deeply personalized approach to wealth management shaped by years at major financial institutions like Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley, as well as having a high-profile mentor from Goldman Sachs. Recognizing the limitations of large-scale financial models, she founded her own firm to prioritize individualized care. “My motivation was to really truly be a fiduciary for them… so it’s coming first,” she explains.
Rather than launching into financial products, Jacqueline begins each client relationship with attentive listening. “When someone new is coming to me, I spend most of my time listening and getting to know them,” she says. Understanding each client’s risk tolerance—especially in today’s volatile economy—guides the portfolio construction and management she leads herself. “If people are put in the best place they can be for their own risk tolerance, you’ll have a much better experience and relationship overall.”
Jacqueline’s investment philosophy is grounded in fundamentals, emphasizing quality companies and longterm value. She actively manages portfolios, adapting strategies based on market conditions and political developments. While fundamentals remain her core approach, she also employs tactical strategies such as options and hedging when timely opportunities arise. Financial planning underpins her work, integrating both short- and long-term goals with an eye toward minimizing taxes and aligning investments with each client’s individual risk profile and financial objectives.
She is just as engaged outside the office. Jacqueline serves on the Montecito Association board and has previously served as a trustee at Montecito Union School. Her community involvement extends to the Friendship Center, the Santa Barbara School of Squash, and the local Rotary. “Being a part of the community makes everything a lot more fun,” she says, a sentiment that also informs her professional philosophy—many clients become close friends.
This genuine commitment to both community and client relationships has become a hallmark of Jacqueline’s work. “I never dread getting up in the morning and going into the office… I consider most of my clients, if not all, my friends.”
women | banking +
JANET GARUFIS
MONTECITO BANK & TRUST
When Janet Garufis invokes It’s a Wonderful Life to describe her role in banking, it’s not merely sentimental – it’s foundational. “The community banker was the person who was the go-to in town for advice and counsel,” she explains, describing the core of her decades-long mission. After 53 years in the industry, she now serves as Chairman and CEO of Montecito Bank & Trust (MB&T), the Central Coast’s largest locally owned community bank.
Garufis’s career began by chance, working as a teller while in college. Over time, she climbed the ranks in major financial institutions before joining MB&T in 2004. Just two years later, she was named President and CEO, and in 2017, she stepped into her current role following the passing of the bank’s founder, Michael Towbes. “Mike entrusted me to carry on his legacy here and I feel very honored to do that,” she reflects.
Throughout her tenure, Garufis has maintained Towbes’ prioritizing of a culture of giving and community engagement. Under her leadership, the bank delivered $330 million in PPP loans in just 90 days during the early days of the COVID-19 crisis. “Half the people who worked in the bank were dedicated to doing that lending because that’s what the community needed,” she recalls.
MB&T’s ethos is reflected in its signature initiative – Anniversary Grants® – where employees select nonprofits to support. “Everybody can do something,” Garufis says, echoing Towbes’ belief. She sees the bank’s culture as its most valuable asset: “The culture is what drives everything.”
For young women navigating careers, Garufis offers resonant advice: “You have to stay authentically true to yourself and work in an environment where you feel you can be authentically yourself.” She encourages seeking out mentors – people whose values and work inspire – and being intentional about finding partnerships that support both personal and professional success. “You have to have a partner who values you for you and who wants you to be a success in all of the parts of your life,” she says.
At 71, Garufis is energized by her work and the Santa Barbara community she now calls home. “It doesn’t feel like work. It’s a labor of love,” she says.
JENNIFER LEMERT
FIDELITY NATIONAL TITLE GROUP–SANTA BARBARA
At Fidelity National Title Group in Santa Barbara, Jennifer LeMert leads with both tenacity and compassion. As Assistant County Manager for the combined operations of Fidelity National Title and Chicago Title, she brings over three decades of expertise to an industry not typically known for its vibrancy. Yet, inside her office, the environment feels more like a lively, supportive family than a corporate hub.
“We all work together, nobody is higher up than anybody else,” she says. “If there’s postage to be stamped, anybody’s got to pick up the postage to stamp it, and we all do it.” This all-hands approach not only ensures productivity but also nurtures a culture where laughter is frequent and support is unconditional.
That spirit of support extends far beyond the office walls. Jennifer spearheads community outreach initiatives, such as the annual CASA of Santa Barbara holiday program, where each employee donates a $100 gift for foster youth. “They went over-the-top with the beautiful bags and cool things that they had gotten for these kids,” she recalls. “Their pride was just seeing all the gifts. It was a whole wall of stuff.”
In her role, Jennifer is also known for her reliability and client dedication. “I rarely say no... I always find a way to figure it out or get them an answer,” she explains, referencing advice she received early in her career about the importance of remembering even the smallest client requests.
Her monthly South County real estate INdata Market Reports, created in collaboration with colleague Joe To, underscore her commitment to clarity and accuracy in a fast-moving market.
Even during the height of the pandemic, when workloads surged and stress levels ran high, Jennifer and her team prioritized employee well-being. “We had nurses coming in to do infusions, massages, and facials... We regularly ordered dinners for all the moms working late so they could take it home.”
As she steps into her role as President of the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara, Jennifer remains committed to the philosophy that has defined her career: community first.
Photos by Kim Reierson
ROBYN LAGUETTE
EMBRACE FINANCIAL SERVICES
Born and raised in Santa Barbara, Robyn Laguette returned to her roots after earning a business degree from Seton Hall University and launching her career in finance at IBM in New York. Back in Santa Barbara since the early 2000s, Robyn held positions as CFO/COO both locally and internationally. In 2024, she decided to start her own business and founded Embrace Financial Services to address what she saw as a gap in the market: the need for outsourced modern, flexible financial services.
Drawing on both her experience as a treasurer for several local nonprofit boards, and her CFO roles, Robyn identified a unique demand for scalable financial services. “I really saw an opportunity… of financial services companies that have the ability to provide traditional full charge management bookkeeping but also be able to scale up and provide more of a fractional controller CFO service,” she explains.
Embrace stands out for its à la carte model –where clients can choose just the services they need, whether it’s accounts payable, payroll, or strategic financial planning. “Our clients have the ability to scale up or down,” Robyn notes, offering flexibility from traditional bookkeeping and accounting, to comprehensive CFO-level engagement. This adaptability is especially valuable to local businesses, family offices, and nonprofits that don’t require fulltime in-house finance teams.
The business has grown entirely through referrals, testament to the value Robyn places on relationships and integrity. “Trust and partnership, accuracy, efficiency, and relationship,” she summarizes, are the pillars of her approach.
A mother to two daughters who are also involved in the business – Remy named the company, Jaimeson designed the logo – Robyn leads by example as a woman building a values-driven, women-run enterprise. “It’s very important for me to be able to set that as a role model for my daughters,” she shares.
Embrace Financial Services reflects both a deep commitment to community and a modern approach to finance, allowing clients to tailor support to their needs, large or small.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES & ORGANIZING
From managing moves and marketing strategies to dry cleaning and transport logistics, these women bring organizational acumen to the details that keep our lives running smoothly. Whether harmonizing a chaotic home, launching a brand, or ensuring seamless travel, they take on the minutiae, liberating our packed days.
ADRIANA MEZIC
AIMDYN INC.
In 2003, Adriana Mezic co-founded AIMdyn Inc. with her husband, Igor Mezic, with a goal of delivering high-impact artificial intelligence services tailored to both the physical and social sciences. Their collaboration began years earlier through research, culminating in the creation of a company that has now stood resilient for over two decades.
Adriana’s path as a CEO has been intricately interwoven with her personal journey. As a mother to three daughters—one with multiple disabilities—she’s had to skillfully balance the demands of leadership and family life. “Being a CEO and a mother… presented particular challenges that I needed to learn how to successfully navigate,” she shares.
AIMdyn’s first major contract came through the National Institute of Health. Drawing on Adriana’s academic foundation in social sciences, the project investigated societal issues stemming from the spatial distribution of alcohol outlets. Their findings revealed significant correlations between the density of bars and liquor stores and incidents of domestic abuse and DUIs. “We studied societal problems that arise due to geophysical locations of alcohol outlets in cities,” Adriana recalls, describing the work as especially meaningful.
Since those early days, AIMdyn has steadily expanded. The company now works with elite government agencies and major private corporations, using proprietary AI algorithms based on Koopman operator theory—developed by Igor himself. These tools have powered breakthroughs in fields ranging from network security and COVID-19 epidemiology to oil spill analysis—including both the Deepwater Horizon and Refugio Beach spills—and supply chain logistics. Notably, AIMdyn’s algorithms are designed to be remarkably efficient: it is low-impact and can often run entirely on a standard laptop, offering advanced predictive capabilities without the need for large-scale computing infrastructure.
Adriana’s leadership at AIMdyn represents a rare blend of personal resilience and scientific rigor, backed by years of interdisciplinary research and technological development.
Photos by Jean Gong
@jeangongphotography
women | marketing agency
COLLETTE RAMIREZ
PRINCETON NORTH
Thirteen years ago, Collette Ramirez moved to Santa Barbara sight unseen, following her heart—and her husband—to a city she had never stepped foot in. Born in South Africa and educated in Australia, she brought with her a global perspective and a passion for strategic creativity. “It was a big leap of faith,” she recalls, “but I mean, what better place to come?”
Today, Collette is the Founder and Marketing Director of Princeton North, a Santa Barbarabased marketing and design agency known for its minimalist aesthetic and strategic depth. With over 15 years of international experience across South Africa, Australia, and the United States, she leads a team committed to transforming brands into meaningful visual identities. “We do more than make things beautiful; we make them meaningful,” she says.
Collette’s academic research focused on women in leadership—a personal and professional theme that continues to drive her. “Women are producers. We grow life, businesses, and communities—often within systems not built for us,” she notes. Her leadership is informed by a commitment to depth, asking clients foundational questions like, “What is your why?” to ensure every project aligns with authentic purpose.
Princeton North’s portfolio spans local favorites like Jane Restaurant and Village Properties, as well as global names such as Hoka and Christie’s International. Their design work here reflects Santa Barbara itself—warm whites, terracotta rooftops, and Spanish tile-inspired logos. “I love to incorporate the local aesthetic into each client’s brand so it feels like it’s from Santa Barbara, not from somewhere else.”
Beyond business, Collette emphasizes giving back. Princeton North donates 10% of all proceeds to organizations including Girls Inc., the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and causes supporting the Latin community. “If you’re too focused on yourself, you get lost. But when you ask, ‘How can I help my community?’—that’s where real growth happens.” WWW.PRINCETONNORTH.COM
KAREN MARTIN
CURATED TRANSITIONS
It happens to the best of us. One moment, you’re sipping your morning coffee, and the next you’re wondering why your paint buckets are stored next to your spices.
That’s where Karen Martin steps in.
Based in Santa Barbara, Karen is the founder of Curated Transitions—a team of thoughtful, efficient women who specialize in move management, downsizing, and decluttering. Whether it’s preparing for a move into Maravilla or just needing clarity in your current space, Karen and her team bring grace and practicality to every project.
What started as Karen helping her mother move into assisted living— and later her own family into a much smaller home—has evolved into a full-service, highly credentialed business. Originally known as Klutter Kutters, the name changed in 2022 to reflect the depth and care behind each project. “We discovered that ‘decluttering’ was just one aspect of how we solve our clients’ challenges, and we are passionate about managing their complex transitions.”
While many clients reach out thinking they just need a garage organized or a few things boxed, Karen’s superpower is listening. Really listening. “When people call me, they’ve usually been stuck for a while,” she says. “They don’t have clarity, and that’s creating a blockage. We take the time to understand what they truly need.”
Seventy percent of her clients are seniors, and Karen is Santa Barbara’s only certified Senior Move Manager with the National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers (NASMM). Her team doesn’t take commissions or referral fees— ensuring every recommendation is grounded in integrity, not incentives. “We have a code of ethics, and our clients know they can trust our motives,” she explains.
It’s not just about stuff—it’s about crafting a curated, three-dimensional scrapbook that feels like home. “No one wants to move into a vanilla hotel room,” Karen says. “It’s taking this blank canvas of a new space and making it a home— one that is a recognizable warm space for them with their art, their pictures, and the souvenirs of their life.”
by
photo
Doretta Bonner
women | marketing agency
LINDSEY CARNETT
MARKETING MAVEN
Founded in 2009, Marketing Maven is a nationally recognized, data-driven PR and marketing agency headquartered on California’s Central Coast. At the helm is Lindsey Carnett, who launched the company at 26 after working with global consumer brands and feeling frustrated by the lack of accountability in traditional public relations. “Accountability or measurement in PR was kind of an oxymoron back in the day,” Carnett says. “Now everything is very measurable.”
Her solution was The Marketing Maven Method, a proprietary three-step system: Insights360 for research and data analytics using their AI-powered platform Sentio360, Strategy360 for mapping actionable plans, and Implementation360 for executing campaigns. The method has been instrumental in generating over $1 billion in earned revenue for clients spanning industries from consumer tech to cybersecurity.
Carnett’s approach blends analytics with storytelling, designed to address every phase of a client’s communication strategy. Whether launching a new product, rebranding an organization, or building a CEO’s leadership platform, Marketing Maven customizes solutions rooted in research and clarity of message. “If you can use data to inform storylines or competitive research,” she says, “you can help clients who may have tunnel vision once they’re inside a company.” From influencer campaigns and digital advertising to social media and reputation management, the agency offers full-spectrum services for brands seeking measurable impact.
Based in Camarillo and deeply connected to Santa Barbara, Carnett has supported organizations like Mission Wealth and the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs' DSA. She’s also faculty at Cal Lutheran’s Center for Nonprofit Leadership and an advisor to UCSB’s Women in Leadership program. Her bestselling book The Marketing Maven Method is now part of the Santa Barbara Foundation’s nonprofit leadership curriculum.
Education and community involvement are cornerstones of Carnett’s approach. “I like educating,” she says. “I use a very educational approach with my clients. I just wanted to level the playing field so everybody can speak the same language together.”
With a client roster that includes nonprofits, Fortune 100s, and global entrepreneurs, Carnett sees herself as a strategic partner. “Sometimes clients come back 10 or 20 years later. That’s the highest pat on the back,” she shares. Her ability to translate complex data into meaningful, mission-driven strategies keeps clients returning—and referring family.
women | dating services &
LISA AMADOR
AMADOR MATCHMAKING AND COACHING
At Amador Matchmaking and Coaching, the process of finding love is anything but impersonal. Lisa Amador’s boutique service offers a hands-on, humancentered approach to matchmaking that prioritizes emotional readiness, personal growth, and safety. “Anybody who is our matchmaking client—anybody they meet, we meet,” Lisa says, describing the in-depth vetting process that ensures her clients can step into dates with confidence and clarity.
Clients begin with a discovery call and may enter a confidential database or opt for more involved memberships that include coaching and event support. “We want it to be accessible to anybody who’s single—anybody who’s serious about being in a committed relationship,” Lisa explains. That inclusivity, paired with a rigorous intake process, ensures meaningful matches… not just dates.
Lisa’s path to this work began when she helped a friend grow a matchmaking business. What started as support evolved into a passion and professional calling. “I discovered… that I had a skill for it,” she says. After formal training and certification, she returned to Santa Barbara in 2012 to launch her own practice.
Amador Matchmaking operates both locally and nationally. While their home base is Santa Barbara, the team collaborates with a trusted network of matchmakers across the U.S. and Canada, allowing them to support clients beyond their immediate geography. Locally, Lisa and her team are often out in the community—attending or hosting events, and even scouting matches and social happenings on clients’ behalf. “We’ll go specifically to places with or for our clients… and look for someone who could be a potential match,” she says.
Their services extend well beyond matchmaking. Clients also receive one-on-one coaching tailored to their unique goals and emotional growth. Lisa helps with everything from building confidence and establishing boundaries to managing dating calendars and providing on-the-ground support at events. In some cases, this even extends into broader life organization. “We develop these great relationships with our clients,” Lisa shares, “and they really trust us.”
For Lisa and her team, the goal goes beyond simply pairing people—it’s about helping each client uncover a deeper sense of self and build a life aligned with their values. That remains at the heart of their mission.
SAMANTHA ONNEN SHIPP & EMILY MYRVOLD
SANTA BARBARA AIRBUS
Santa Barbara Airbus has been a cornerstone of local transportation since 1983, originally founded by Eric and Kelly Onnen and their friend and business partner Mark Klopstein. Today, the company’s legacy is in the capable hands of second-generation sisters, Samantha Onnen Shipp, CEO, and Emily Myrvold, CSO.
Their journey back to the family business was not a given. “We never had a lot of pressure to be a part of the business… our parents encouraged us to figure out what we wanted to do; to figure out our passions,” Samantha reflects. But after experiences elsewhere, both felt the undeniable pull of their roots. “You kind of realize how special small business is, especially small businesses that are entwined with the community.” The sisters saw that “the impact we could make here was so much bigger than in other places.”
From childhood memories of stuffing newsletters to watching their school buses arrive courtesy of Airbus, the sisters were immersed in the company’s culture long before officially stepping in. Since returning—Samantha in 2015 and Emily in 2020—they’ve honored the foundational principles while modernizing operations. “The basic formula of Airbus is great,” says Samantha, citing technological upgrades and system streamlining as key improvements.
Emily credits Samantha with championing an inclusive and engaging work environment. “She really puts [employee well-being] at the forefront of everything,” says Emily. This emphasis on culture and care is reflected in employee loyalty, with many staff members remaining for decades and even returning after life changes.
Safety and customer experience remain at the heart of their mission. “Everything comes back first to the safety side,” Samantha states. Their approach ensures that whether it’s a ride to LAX or a private charter for a local event, customers feel secure and supported. “Hopefully people think, ‘Oh, that was easy,’” she adds.
As Santa Barbara Airbus celebrates over four decades of service, Samantha and Emily remain grounded in gratitude for the community and the legacy they continue to build. “We are extremely thankful for a really strong foundation,” Emily shares, “and just hope to continue to build on that.”
SASHA ABLITT
ABLITT’S FINE CLEANERS AND TAILORS
Sasha Ablitt never expected to return to the family business. “It was the farthest thing that I ever thought I would do,” she reflects. With a degree in Aerospace Engineering from UCLA and an MBA from Thunderbird, her early career was spent at AlliedSignal and Honeywell, traveling the globe as a systems engineer and supply-chain auditor. But in 2003, a shift occurred – Sasha purchased the Santa Barbara-based dry cleaning business her father had revived in 1984.
Ablitt’s Fine Cleaners and Tailors, located in a 14,000-square-foot facility with 40 employees, has been a community mainstay, recognized as one of America’s Best Cleaners and named Santa Barbara’s best for 33 consecutive years. Sasha represents the fifth generation in a family lineage of textile care, including a tailor five generations back.
Environmental consciousness drives many of Sasha’s decisions. “We have not used any sort of petroleumbased solvents for 20 years,” she says. Instead, the business relies on silicon- and plant-based alternatives, and all dry cleaning solvents used are fully recycled. Pickup and delivery services – approximately 200 daily – further reduce the carbon footprint. “If you imagine those 200 people if they were all driving to Ablitt’s… they’re making two trips,” she explains, highlighting the efficiency of their route system.
Sasha also invests in her staff and community. From open book management and skill-building to supporting organizations like the State Street Ballet and the Santa Barbara Foresters, her leadership extends beyond operations. During the 2018 Montecito mudslides, a customer embraced an Ablitt’s driver with a tearful “Ablitt’s back, we’re back to normal,” a moment Sasha remembers as a defining testament to their role in the community.
Above all, trust is central. “People don’t always understand dry cleaning, but I want them to know if anyone can do it, Ablitt’s can,” she shares. Sasha’s journey from engineering to dry cleaning may seem unconventional, but it reflects a thoughtful, community-rooted evolution.
REAL ESTATE & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
When searching for a dream home, securing a temporary stay, or making the most of the space one already loves, here is peace of mind for clients navigating life transitions. With a focus on trust and completely personalized service, these professionals infuse stability and care into every step of the process—helping people feel at home, wherever they are.
DOREEN EYMAN
CALCOAST GLASS TINTING
For over a decade, Doreen Eyman has been a driving force behind CalCoast Glass Tinting, transforming the company into a leader in window film solutions that combine energy efficiency, safety, and comfort. Founded in 1987 by her husband, Kent, the business has built a reputation for excellence, serving clients from Google and Amgen to numerous school districts and luxury estates across Santa Barbara County.
Now serving as Chief Financial Officer, Doreen took the reins when Kent stepped back into a consulting role. Under her leadership, CalCoast Glass Tinting expanded into Ventura and Orange counties, continuing its mission to: Preserve, Enhance, and Protect.
“‘Preserve’ is about guarding interiors – and even our skin – from harmful UV damage,” Doreen explains. “‘Enhance’ helps reduce glare, making spaces more livable without sacrificing the view. And ‘Protect’ –that’s our safety film. It can hold off an intruder with a weapon for six to eight critical minutes.”
In 2023, inspired by Kent’s dual cancer diagnosis and a desire to create space for healing and connection, Doreen launched The Big Pond Ranch, a five-acre retreat in Santa Ynez Valley. What began as a private haven has evolved into a venue for boutique weddings, intimate winemaker dinners, and wellness retreats. With its vineyard, private pond, koi fish, grotto, and stream, the ranch reflects Doreen’s talent for turning personal purpose into something meaningful for others.
“We created it for peace, but it’s grown into a place for memories,” she says.
Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, Doreen recently won the 2025 Alisal Club Championship (Net Division) and takes pride in her blended family – two adult children, ages 32 and 33, and two bonus children, ages 25 and 27.
“My next dream?” she smiles. “To get them all in the same room.”
Whether she’s helping people protect their homes or creating spaces to celebrate life, Doreen Eyman leads with heart, resilience, and vision.
RENEE GRUBB
VILLAGE PROPERTIES
Renee Grubb co-founded Village Properties in 1996 with her former business partner. Since then, the company has steadily grown into one of Santa Barbara’s leading independent real estate firms. Its ongoing focus on client service and community involvement has helped build a strong reputation in the region.
The company’s ethos stems from Renee’s vision to create a locally owned firm that fosters integrity and personalized service. As she shares, “It was just a matter of wanting to own my own business and wanting to own it here in Santa Barbara.”
Prior to launching Village Properties, Renee had experience in sales and management at another firm, but recognized the need for a new model that emphasized relationships over competition.
One of the cornerstones of Village Properties is its commitment to the Santa Barbara community. This is most evident through the company’s philanthropic arm, including the Teacher’s Fund. “We started the Teacher’s Fund in 2002 to support local public and private school teachers by helping with classroom needs that aren’t covered by the school system,” Renee explained. Since its inception, the fund has contributed over $2.1 million to classrooms in the area.
The firm now operates multiple offices in the region, with over 180 agents and brokers. Despite this scale, Renee remains focused on maintaining a close-knit, values-driven culture. “We’re still locally owned, and that matters,” she emphasizes. “It means decisions are made here, by people who live here.”
When reflecting on her leadership, Renee highlights the importance of building a team that shares the same values. “We have a saying here: people before profits. It’s easy to say, but harder to live by. Yet that’s what we try to do.”
Renee Grubb’s Village Properties is a testament to how deeply-rooted principles can drive lasting business success without compromising community values.
SAMANTHA IRELAND
VACATION RENTALS OF SANTA BARBARA, INC.
Vacation Rentals of Santa Barbara, Inc. began in 2006 with just two properties and a clear vision: to deliver hands-on, high-quality service in a growing vacation rental market. Today, they are the largest, locally-owned vacation rental company in the area, managing over 80 properties with a team of 18— offering what founder Samantha Ireland calls “exceptional experiences for both homeowners and guests.”
Ireland describes her business as more than property management. “One of the things about being in the vacation industry is that we have always considered ourselves an ambassador for Santa Barbara,” she explains. This commitment led her and her entire team to become certified through Visit Santa Barbara’s ambassador program—a reflection of their pride in the city and their role in welcoming others to experience it.
“We focus on building strong, long-term partnerships with homeowners who share our values,” she notes. The company stands out not only for its personalized approach but for its dual expertise. Ireland continues to work full-time in real estate, helping clients transition from visitors to homeowners. “I encounter a lot of people who fall in love with Santa Barbara and want to purchase a second home here,” she says. “By offering them the ability to have some income on the home when they’re not using it, it really makes it a lot more affordable.”
Vacation Rentals of Santa Barbara serves a wide range of needs beyond short-term stays. From sabbaticals to medical recovery and temporary displacement from natural disasters, the company provides furnished homes for guests requiring more than a hotel room. “It brings me such joy to have homes that these people can seamlessly move into… and we can meet their need in a crisis,” says Ireland.
While the company has grown, its values have remained constant. With a team that is predominantly women, Ireland notes that the culture of collaboration has been one of the most rewarding aspects of leadership. “What I have found with other women leaders is that they really have a desire to collaborate and to spur each other on,” she says. “When you can surround yourself with that kind of leadership, it makes a huge positive impact in your life and in the lives of the team that you’re running.”
RETAIL & FASHION
These women are both setting the style and helping us find our own –shaping what we wear and how we self-express. With an acute blend of global perspective, personal intuition, and deep attention to craft, their work delivers confidence, connection, personal momentum, and the octane self-assurance.
CAROLE RIDDING
SILVERHORN
Growing up on Prince Edward Island, Carole Ridding’s instinct to help others was evident early on. Initially pursuing a career in childcare in Toronto and Ottawa, her path shifted when her husband, Michael, introduced her to the world of gem collecting. What began as a shared fascination with minerals and crystals evolved into Silverhorn—a jewelry business they launched in 1976 in Banff, Alberta, named after the majestic Silverhorn Mountain.
By 1984, the Riddings had relocated to Santa Barbara, where they opened Silverhorn in Montecito. “I just knew this is where we belonged,” Carole said. “We didn’t need a market survey to tell us that the feeling we had in Santa Barbara was like nowhere else in Southern California.”
Now, nearly five decades in, Silverhorn continues to stand out for its handcrafted approach and Carole’s dedication to constant learning. “You have to stick to what you know, but you want to increase your knowledge over time,” she shares, emphasizing how travel and hands-on gemstone sourcing have been key to Silverhorn’s evolution. The store maintains an extensive gem inventory to meet customer requests immediately, a point of pride for Carole.
Inside Silverhorn, the environment is intentionally welcoming. “I like people to feel relaxed and comfortable as they browse around,” Carole explained. “Nobody is pushing them to make any purchases—we’re just talking about different materials and making it interesting.”
A hallmark of Silverhorn’s identity is its deep community involvement. Carole has supported organizations like Girls Inc. and Lotusland by donating bespoke jewelry pieces for fundraising events. “It’s a way I can give back and contribute to our community,” she says. “We find a way that we can best do that… by creating a special piece of jewelry and making it meaningful to the particular organization.”
At its core, Silverhorn reflects a partnership—both in marriage and business—fueled by mutual respect and shared vision between Carole and Michael, whose decades-long collaboration shapes every aspect of Silverhorn. “We’ve traveled together over the years… and in many different countries because of the nature of our business,” Carole says. “It enriches the relationship… we’re both understanding what each other is doing.” This shared involvement—whether sourcing rare gemstones abroad or managing daily operations in Montecito—ensures that every piece and every decision is infused with their combined vision and experience.
photos by Amy Lundstrom
mj: women | clothing brand & designer
CATHERINE GEE
CATHERINE GEE
Known for its signature prints, luxurious fabrics, and timeless silhouettes, Catherine Gee’s namesake fashion label has grown from a silk capsule collection into a full ready-to-wear brand found in over 300 stores nationwide. Her collections, often inspired by her travels, are a seamless blend of visual art and elegant design. “What I love about designing is that I get to merge my ideas and my art into every single style,” Catherine says. Mila Kunis and other celebrities have been spotted in her pieces, drawn to their distinctive balance of subtle detail and sophistication.
As the daughter of a career fine artist and a former gallerist, Catherine always intended to merge her artistic background with fashion. “Clothing is such a perceptible expression,” she says. “To me, it’s like armor and also an incredible visual language.” This vision led to the founding of her eponymous fashion brand in 2015, rooted in a love for silk inspired by her Cantonese grandmother’s kimono collection.
When the Santa Barbara-based designer launched her brand, she was committed to stand apart in a crowded market. “We don’t need another t-shirt line that looks like everything else,” she recalls thinking. Instead, she began with silk—the fabric that captivated her as a child—and shaped it into sleek, resort wearinspired silhouettes. A year later, her brand won the WWD x Galeries Lafayette Paris Emerging Designer Crème de la Crème competition, accelerating its recognition and retail expansion.
Today, the Catherine Gee brand includes embroidered Pima cotton tees, jacquard jackets, luxe cashmere sweaters, and printdriven blouses and dresses. She works closely with a womanowned silk factory that also produces for premier European houses, maintaining her commitment to exceptional materials: “A number one of mine is that the quality has to be the most supreme.”
Catherine’s collections reflect a duality—Santa Barbara’s ethereal light in spring/summer, and bold, urban edge in fall/winter. Her visual archive, built from iPhone photos and sketchbooks, informs each piece. “The brand has become known for our prints,” she notes. “And they often come from the most whimsical moments”—those glimpses of inspiration found while traveling, exploring, or simply living life with intention and an artist’s eye.
With her flagship store in downtown Santa Barbara (1106A State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101) and plans for international markets, Catherine is setting the stage for the next chapter of her creative journey.
Photos by Hagop Kalaidjian
HEIDI MERRICK
HEIDI MERRICK
With nearly two decades in the fashion industry, Heidi Merrick has cultivated a brand synonymous with the effortless elegance of California living. Her journey began not in a design studio, but as a stylist in New York in the ‘90s, an experience she describes as “schlepping around clothes.” This hands-on beginning, coupled with a childhood where her seamstress mother would craft dresses for her overnight, laid the foundation for her eponymous label.
A pivotal moment came after Merrick, with her mother’s help, designed her own wedding dress. A guest’s candid remark, “You need to be a fashion designer. You’re wasting your life,” spurred her to action. Just four weeks into her marriage, she enrolled in fashion design at L.A. Trade Tech.
Merrick’s design philosophy has evolved over the past 20 years, mirroring her own life changes. “I feel like I’ve really gone through the great experiences a woman goes through with this brand—from beginning with my wedding dress...and now I’m dressing myself as a nearly 50-year-old woman,” she reflects. This personal connection to her creations is key. In fact, a turning point for the brand was when she began designing primarily for herself. “I started making clothes for myself,” she says. “And that’s when it all clicked. That’s when we really found our people.”
The ethos of her brand, she explains, is about “the growing up in the life of a beach kid...it’s finding the elegance and the timelessness.” This is evident in pieces like her long-standing “Vicent suit,” a high-waisted bathing suit designed during her first pregnancy. Merrick aims for women wearing her clothes to feel “excited to put something on and feel sort of special and beautiful and purposeful.” She strives to create designs that are comfortable enough for various occasions, from the beach to a dinner party, using natural fabrics and understated silhouettes, yet with a “fantastical and aspirational aspect.”
Looking ahead, Merrick is launching SRFLA.com, focusing on accessible and wearable designs that reflect the life she and her team live. For Merrick, the joy comes from this authenticity: “That’s where I find the most joy. That’s what gives my work meaning.”
KIMBERLY HAYES
MAISON K
MAISON K is more than a boutique— it’s a narrative woven from the textures of craftsmanship, global artistry, and Kimberly Hayes’ decades of expertise. Launched in 2002, the store began as a home for distinctive gifts and décor, gradually evolving into a destination for fashion and accessories, with each piece telling its own story. Today, nestled in Montecito’s Upper Village, MAISON K reflects the cultivated eye of its founder, whose journey from merchandising for major companies to establishing a local haven of luxury is one of dedication and creative clarity.
Kimberly’s early experience in retail began with Wendy Foster, where she absorbed the nuances of merchandising and buying. Later, as a buyer for Illuminations, she traveled extensively, sourcing from India, the Philippines, France, and Italy. “What I fell in love with was meeting these people all over who were doing incredible things,” she says. “That’s really what my business is about.”
The boutique curates rare finds—custom clothing from Turin, hand-embroidered dusters from Istanbul, silk scarves from Japan, and ceramics from Paris—offering customers a tactile connection to global artisanship. “People appreciate beautiful things and special things, things that you can’t find everywhere, things made by hand,” Kimberly explains. “That’s always my favorite personally, and that’s what I lean into.”
After years on Coast Village Road, MAISON K’s transition to Upper Village brought a serene energy that Hayes cherishes. “I feel very much at home up here… it’s a little more serene and I have a very, very beautiful space here,” she says. She hopes visitors leave her store “delighted and kind of surprised,” sensing the soul behind each piece. For Kimberly, fulfillment lies in connection—between creator and collector. “I feel like I’m just connecting these different people together… extending their reach in the world… that’s my joy.”
LISSA LIGGETT
LILY
Lissa Liggett’s life has always been deeply entwined with nature. Born and raised in Santa Barbara, her fascination with botanicals began early. “I was just completely mesmerized by botanics in nature from the time I can remember,” she reflects, recounting a childhood enriched by her Native American and Spanish mother’s teachings in natural remedies – from chewing willow sprigs for headaches to making soap from wild ceanothus (California lilacs).
This connection evolved into a unique career in perfumery. Lissa’s first scent emerged almost by accident: when her colicky infant daughter calmed in the foggy morning air, heavy with the scent of pink jasmine, Lissa filled a bottle with the blooms and steeped them in vodka. Months later, a whiff of the experimental potion left Marvin Minsky, the father of artificial intelligence, captivated. “Marvin said, ‘I think you’re a genius. I think this is beautiful and brilliant,’” she recalls.
Encouraged, Lissa introduced her creation to a local boutique where it sold out quickly –confirming her calling as a perfumer. Over the years, she crafted scents like Montecito and May, evoking jasmine-draped fences and the floral essence of her backyard in spring. Her work focuses on capturing what she calls a “scent picture” – an olfactory snapshot of a moment in time. “Even at five years old, it was about capturing an olfactory picture of something I had just experienced,” she says. Scents like Neroli, created after an emotional encounter with orange blossoms and sea air, and the Gardenia perfume inspired by her grandmother’s front porch, are steeped in memory and place.
When her longtime friend Linda O’Hare retired and offered to sell her the boutique Lily, Lissa seized the opportunity. “This is a dream, an actual dream come true,” she says. Now the owner, she has rebranded her perfume line as Santa Barbara Botanics (formerly Santa Barbara Novella), available exclusively at Lily. “It’s still a sweet little jewel box of a boutique,” Lissa says, reflecting the intimate charm of both her store and her life’s work.
by Kim Reierson
photos
women | la arcada
LYNNE TAHMISIAN
LA ARCADA PLAZA
At La Arcada Plaza in the heart of Santa Barbara’s Arts District, President Lynne Tahmisian has fostered a sense of family among tenants that transcends typical commercial relationships. Since taking over the Plaza in 2001 from her uncle, Lynne has remained devoted to creating a space where local businesses can prosper. “I want my people to thrive here,” she says. “We all feel like a family; all local entrepreneurs. That’s what we want.”
The plaza, home to 21 shops, galleries, and restaurants, and 50 professional businesses upstairs, reflects both Lynne’s vision and the legacy of her uncle, Hugh Petersen, who restored the site in the 1970s. Her leadership emphasizes longevity and care—many tenants have remained for decades. During difficult periods, such as the pandemic, Lynne provided rent relief to support their survival. “I tried to accommodate them... I wanted every tenant to flourish,” she says.
Mentorship is a central passion for Lynne, particularly when it comes to supporting women navigating entrepreneurship. “It brings joy to my heart,” she says. “I just want young women to know that they are important and valuable, and even if they have a vision they’re unsure about—risk it. Sometimes you have to do it afraid.”
For the public, La Arcada offers an immersive and charming experience. A lover of public art, her Uncle Hugh personally commissioned many of the plaza’s most distinctive features, from intricate tilework to the installation of statues by artists like J. Seward Johnson and Bud Bottoms. His aesthetic sensibility helped shape La Arcada into a one-of-a-kind visual experience.
Visitors wander through tiled courtyards and tree-lined walkways dotted with whimsical statues—Ben Franklin, a Mozart trio, even a window washer—adding warmth and personality to every visit. Annual public events, such as the festive Christmas Walk and history-themed exhibitions, further enliven the plaza and draw crowds from throughout the community. “It’s a delightful, charming place,” Lynne says. “We just want people to remember how lovely it is down here and to keep coming back.”
With its blend of beauty, history, and community, La Arcada remains one of Santa Barbara’s hidden gems— thoughtfully cared for by a woman committed to nurturing both its tenants and its legacy.
Photo by Kim Reierson
MARLENE BUCY
FOLIO PRESS & PAPERIE
When Marlene Bucy and her husband, Frank, purchased Wootton Printing (est. 1928) in 2007, she was a piano teacher with deep Santa Barbara roots and a vision for a stationery shop that honored tradition and community. Her maternal grandfather, Salvatore Castagnola, helped establish the local commercial fishing industry after arriving from Italy in the early 1900s—a legacy of connection and local enterprise that Marlene continues today. Housed initially in the front of the print shop on Hollister Avenue, the store began as a neighborhood postal station with a curated gift selection and quickly gained a citywide following.
In 2013, folio press & paperie found its current home—and name—in its vibrant downtown location off of State Street. The new space included a custombuilt enclosed pressroom, allowing the business to continue its tradition of in-house letterpress printing. It shed its postal services and focused entirely on Marlene’s passion: inspired, tactile, and meaningful products. “It’s always been a priority for me to have something for everybody,” she says. “I like it that people that are on a tight budget can come in here and get a little something.” From journals and cards to candles, children’s books, and natural pet toys, the store champions goods that are “useful” and have “a positive influence on the world.”
Marlene’s sensibility is grounded in a commitment to quality and locality. She prioritizes small U.S. makers and fair trade sources and oversees the store’s original letterpress card line, designed with the help of several local women artists and printed in-house. These cards are now sold in hundreds of shops across the country. “We wanted to promote just this feeling of sending somebody something, the texture of a piece of paper… there’s more feeling to that,” she explains. With generations of family history embedded in Santa Barbara’s cultural fabric, Marlene sees folio press & paperie as a modern extension of a longstanding local tradition. “I want people to feel more connected to themselves and their community,” she says. “To leave here feeling more upbeat and happy than when they walked in.”
photos by Ignacio Cuturrufo
MARLENE VITANZA
PEREGRINE GALLERIES
For over four decades, Marlene Vitanza has quietly built one of Montecito’s most distinctive boutiques. Tucked along Coast Village Road, Peregrine Galleries is more than a store – it’s an evolving art form. Since opening in 1983, Marlene has filled her space with vintage Chanel, Hermès, Bakelite, and plein air paintings, each piece curated with the discerning eye she honed during global travels with her late husband.
“I only buy what I love, so it makes it easy to sell it,” Marlene says, surrounded by treasures that span continents and centuries. Her collection began with Native American artifacts and oriental rugs and evolved in tandem with shifting tastes and her own refined sensibility. Today, the boutique features everything from ethnographic jewelry to plein air works from the 1930s and 40s – items she describes as “wearable art” with stories as rich as their aesthetics.
The relationship Marlene has fostered with her clients is a cornerstone of her work. “I want them to feel like they were welcomed and they enjoyed themselves while they were here. It’s an experience,” she shares. Peregrine is a place where even a single purchase can spark a lasting connection. Many longtime collectors have, over the years, told their families: “Call Marlene if anything happens to me.” Their trust is such that their collections often return to her, continuing a legacy of love and appreciation for design.
Each item carries its own story – some with celebrity provenance, others simply reflecting a unique cultural heritage. But for Marlene, the greatest satisfaction lies in the perfect match: “I derive a lot of pleasure out of the right piece seemingly going to the right person,” she says.
Though the shop has no official website, it maintains a vivid presence at @peregrinegalleries, where new and returning visitors can glimpse the treasures – and stories – that make Peregrine a Montecito icon.
Photos by Kim Reierson
TRACEY STROBEL
SBMIDMOD
At sbmidmod in Santa Barbara’s Funk Zone, Tracey Strobel offers more than a showroom of Mid-Century Modern furniture – she offers a carefully curated space where design meets storytelling. With over two decades of experience, Tracey has cultivated a business rooted in honoring the life of every object she brings into the shop.
“My great-grandmother and my grandmother got me into… the appreciation of the stories behind objects and the energy behind them,” Tracey says. That reverence for narrative forms the heart of sbmidmod. Whether it’s a teak credenza, a vintage lamp, or a ceramic sculpture, each piece is selected not just for style or value, but for the journey it represents.
Her process begins with research. “I love finding an object and just going, wow, that’s a really cool object. Who did it? What’s their story?” she explains. Once an item’s background is understood, Tracey evaluates its condition with equal care. Some pieces are left with their patina intact – like a Paul McCobb dresser bearing wear from decades of use – while others undergo thoughtful restoration by local artisans to extend their life without erasing their past.
The shop reflects Tracey’s belief in “functional art” – objects that are both utilitarian and expressive. “You get to sit in it. You get to read a book next to it… You get to eat on it. You get to use utensils that are just beautiful,” she shares.
But for her, the emotional connection is paramount. “When people come in… I just really hope they get that sense of the history and craftsmanship that goes into the pieces,” she says. “And I really appreciate when I see someone connect with a piece. To the point where it sparks maybe nostalgia or inspires their own creativity for their own space.”
Each item at sbmidmod carries not only a story of where it came from, but where it might go next. As Tracey puts it, “That’s energy around the piece that then carries forward.”
Photos by Cooper Jasiorkowski
WENDY FOSTER
WENDY FOSTER CLOTHING STORES | PIERRE LAFOND & CO.
Wendy Foster’s journey into fashion and retail is as eclectic and textured as the collections she curates. Born in New York and raised in Santa Barbara, her path was punctuated by formative years in New York City, Paris, and Mexico, where she studied anthropology and worked at UNESCO. These experiences planted the seeds of a global sensibility that would later define her boutique empire.
Her partnership with Pierre Lafond sparked a new chapter both personally and professionally. Initially contributing as a graphic designer and typesetter, Wendy transitioned into retail buying when the need arose. “It was the perfect thing because… I could just do what I wanted,” she reflects. She taught herself the intricacies of inventory by studying her own closet: “I bought three tops to one bottom… you had to go into it head first,” she shares.
With stores now established in Montecito, Santa Barbara, and Los Olivos, Wendy’s impact reaches far beyond racks of clothing. Her boutiques helped define what would become recognized as the Montecito style – an effortless blend of sophistication and coastal ease – now appreciated by fashion enthusiasts around the globe. She reflects on her influence with humility: “People think I’ve made it, but I’m still terrified… I just don’t think I’ve made it.”
To women considering entrepreneurship, Wendy’s message is clear: “Live as if the wind is at your back and have confidence in yourself because there’s nobody like you… They can’t be you.” Though she admits confidence didn’t come easily, she now champions it as essential advice for others forging their own paths.
Wendy’s boutiques, rooted in international elegance and local warmth, continue to thrive as a testament to her vision and resilience. She sums up her legacy not in accolades, but in empowerment: “I just want to pass on to make people more confident in themselves and to be themselves, not to copy anybody.”
Photos by Kim Reierson
SKIN & HAIR CARE
Interweaving medical expertise, artistry, and deeply personal care, these women create environments where the coin of the realm is holistic beauty and balance. Whether offering advanced dermatologic treatments or simple indulgences like a perfect blowout, this continuum of care is about restoring your inner and outer radiance.
ERIN MOONE LAZZARO
DRYBAR MONTECITO
Erin Moone Lazzaro brings a wealth of entrepreneurial energy to Montecito with the opening of Drybar Montecito on April 26, 2024. A seasoned business founder, Erin made her mark in the fitness world with StarCycle®, which she launched in 2012 and expanded to over 20 franchises before selling in 2020. Drybar, a longtime favorite brand of Erin’s, offered a new direction postpandemic—a shift from fitness to beauty that still centers around empowerment and confidence.
“I’m used to making people feel good with working out and teaching classes,” Erin shares. “Drybar makes people feel really pretty.” She saw how the pandemic reshaped consumer priorities and recognized beauty services, like blowouts, continued to thrive—what is called the “lipstick mentality,” where a simple indulgence offers a big emotional boost.
Erin’s journey back to California began after years on the East Coast and in Dallas, where she briefly considered launching another fitness concept. Instead, drawn by community and supported by friends from her UC Santa Barbara days, she chose Montecito as the home for her next chapter. It was in Dallas where she also met her husband, Nicholas, who proudly champions the business around town in signature Drybar yellow.
At Drybar Montecito, the atmosphere blends the warm camaraderie of classic salons with a bright, modern feel, complete with music, conversation, and a celebratory vibe. “The look on their face when they see themselves in the mirror—that big reveal— is priceless,” Erin says. At Drybar Montecito, Erin sees her role as a team builder where she leads about 15 staff, including her manager Alyssa, a three-year Drybar veteran. “We learn from each other,” Erin explains, “from business operations to the phases of a build-out, it’s been a real collaboration.”
Whether it’s beachy waves from the popular Cosmo Tai—each style is named after a popular drink—or braids for a birthday party, Drybar Montecito offers more than just blowouts: it creates moments of joy and transformation. “No is never an answer at Drybar,” Erin adds. “We can make your dreams happen.”
Erin (center), with her mother, Valerie (right), and sister, Erika (left).
women | aesthetic services
JEANETTE BAER
AESTHETICS MONTECITO
Since 2008, Aesthetics Montecito has been a staple in the Santa Barbara aesthetic medicine scene, setting a high bar for innovation and care. Founded by Jeanette Baer, a USC-trained physician assistant, the practice emphasizes the art of natural enhancement with medical precision.
“Aesthetic medicine is my love—other than my family of course,” Baer shares. “It is the marrying of beauty and medicine, and that really is what I love.” Her passion for the field has fueled the evolution of Aesthetics Montecito—from its original location at the Four Seasons Biltmore, through displacement by the 2018 mudslides, a chapter at Las Aves, and now to its current home near Cottage Hospital on Pueblo Street.
The clinic offers a full suite of treatments, including injectables, chemical peels, laser hair removal, vitamin therapies, and more. Its standout feature is the exclusive offering of both BBL® HEROic™ and MOXI® technologies on one platform—“no one else in Santa Barbara County has that,” Baer notes. BBL® HEROic™ targets discoloration and unwanted hair, while MOXI® resurfaces skin to address fine lines, acne scarring, and texture with minimal downtime.
With over 20 years of experience, Baer had the distinct honor of being trained by Drs. Jean and Alastair Carruthers, who pioneered the use of Botox for aesthetic purposes. Baer brings not only expertise but also a compassionate touch. “My goal for my women is for them to look good for their age and to like what they see staring back at them in the mirror,” she says. Her approach targets “anything that makes you look angry, tired, or sad,” aiming to restore a refreshed and confident look.
Aesthetics Montecito is also a rare example of a truly multi-generational practice. “We’ve seen three generations together all in the same room,” Baer says. Teens might visit for acne treatments or laser hair removal—particularly those involved in sports like swimming—while their mothers and grandmothers benefit from more advanced aesthetic care. The environment encourages connection and comfort, with clients often sharing stories in the waiting room.
April 2024 marked a significant chapter for Baer, who survived a life-threatening medical emergency. Now fully recovered, she describes herself as “stronger than ever, enjoying it more, and doing the best work I’ve ever done.”
Jeanette also cofounded a CBD-based beauty serum, called Trés Jolie. It is currently being offered at luxury hotels and in Santa Barbara, L.A., and Orange County. WWW.AESTHETICSMONTECITO.COM
KAREN NEARY
MONTECITO MED SPA
After nearly three decades in nursing, Karen Neary transformed a career rooted in clinical care and healthcare leadership into the creation of Montecito Med Spa – a personalized, luxury-focused aesthetics practice located in the heart of Montecito.
Originally from the Philippines, Karen moved to the U.S. at age 20 and pursued nursing through Saint Mary’s College in Northern California. She later earned her master’s degree from Western Governors University during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her career spans a variety of roles including perioperative nursing, as a Nursing Director, and aesthetics.
“I always wanted to create my own space –where I could apply all the things I’ve learned clinically, professionally, and personally in the aesthetic world,” she says.
That vision became Montecito Med Spa, which launched in 2022. The space was designed to feel like a serene boutique retreat – blending advanced treatments with a warm, elegant atmosphere.
More than just a med spa, the business is a reflection of Karen’s professional journey and personal ethos: “I want every client to feel deeply cared for, seen, and empowered.”
Karen is supported by a passionate team that includes a medical director, a nurse practitioner, nurses, and aestheticians. Together, they share a deep commitment to quality, results, and genuine connection.
“We treat everybody as if they were our own family. We only do the treatments we’d want our loved ones to have.”
That sense of integrity and a results-driven approach has built loyal clientele throughout Montecito and beyond.
Karen recently opened a second location in the Santa Ynez Valley, extending the spa’s mission to help clients feel their best – from the inside out.
women | cosmetics
LAUREN VON STADEN
SKIN DEEP
When Lauren von Staden stepped into Skin Deep, it wasn’t with the intention of taking over a business. What began as a spontaneous visit to see local artist Chris Potter’s work – prompted by her daughter’s school friend – turned into a moment that would reshape her professional journey. “We were driving by Skin Deep, and she was like, ‘Oh, my dad’s paintings are in there’… When I entered, I just fell in love with the store.”
In July 2023, Lauren acquired the 43-year-old Santa Barbara institution from the Hasche sisters, longtime stewards of the beloved spa-retail hybrid, which offers everything from high-end skincare and beauty products to jewelry and gifts of all kinds. Already a licensed esthetician and professionally trained makeup artist with a diploma from Westmore Academy, Lauren brought decades of experience from her work with Estée Lauder and in Los Angeles’ film and bridal industries.
Rather than reinventing the business, Lauren honored its legacy with a careful refresh – such as lightening yet preserving its custom oak fixtures to enhance the welcoming ambiance while maintaining its familiar layout. “I felt so appreciative to take on a store that had been just so well developed,” she says.
Lauren’s vision centers on clean beauty and holistic skincare. She focuses on non-invasive approaches such as facial exercise classes and nutrient-rich treatments. Skinade, a drinkable collagen from Europe now sold exclusively at Skin Deep in Santa Barbara, is among the new offerings aligned with her philosophy.
In January 2024, Lauren reopened the spa with cuttingedge European technology, including equipment that is currently unavailable elsewhere in the region. Among the innovations is a machine offering electroporation – a needlefree alternative to mesotherapy that uses microcurrents to deliver skincare products deep into the skin, eliminating the need for invasive treatments while maintaining efficacy.
Skin Deep is a true family venture. Lauren’s daughter Aveline brings a keen eye for trends, her son Anson helps with back-end operations, and her husband Torben contributes to finance and technology.
“There’s not a day that goes by that I am not tearing up from laughter,” Lauren says of working with her fabulous team. “Our wonderful community of clients feels like an extended family. It’s honestly so much fun to go into work.”
Photos by Kimberly Citro
POLLY MUDITĀ DURSUM
MUDITĀ
SKIN HEALTH
When Polly Muditā Dursum opened
MUDITĀ Skin Health in Santa Barbara in 2022, she wasn’t starting from scratch. After more than a decade practicing aesthetic nursing full-time, Polly brought with her a loyal client base, a deeply honed sense of aesthetic balance, and a clear vision for what her boutique medical aesthetics office would become. “I opened with a full schedule, booked out almost three months,” she shares.
MUDITĀ, Polly’s middle name and the Sanskrit word for ‘selfless joy,’ reflects her philosophy: that aesthetic care is a meaningful part of self-care. The office, nestled among trees in a historic district, radiates calm. “The feeling of the office is very open and bright. It’s soothing,” Polly says. “From the interior décor to the branding, everything was done with intention.”
The practice has an all-female staff and is family-owned and operated by Polly, her wife Nancy Moharram who is a physician associate in dermatology and aesthetics, and their sister-inlaw Dr. Matti Jansen. Together, they have built a practice that prioritizes thoughtful, holistic care. “We are never rushing through. We really take our time with each person to set their skin goals and aesthetic goals,” Polly explains. This includes comprehensive facial assessments, personalized skincare regimens, and advanced treatments like collagen-stimulating injectables, stem cell therapy, and laser modalities.
Polly’s background in critical care nursing and her artistic sensibility—she is a painter, as well as being a classically trained pianist and flutist—informs her approach. “Injecting is an artistic part of the business. It’s like painting. You can give someone a paintbrush, but the outcome depends on the artist.” This mindset drives her work, especially in areas like lip fillers, where she prioritizes refinement over trends.
MUDITĀ Skin Health is distinguished by its team of highly trained clinicians. Every provider is either a nurse practitioner or physician associate, each equipped with extensive clinical training and the ability to both prescribe and diagnose. “We combine medical dermatology with aesthetic care. There’s both art and science in what we do,” Polly notes.
mj: women | Mohs surgeon & cosmetic dermatologist
ROBERTA SENGELMANN
SANTA BARBARA SKIN INSTITUTE
For Dr. Roberta Sengelmann, her work is far more than a profession – it’s a passion. “This is not a job, it's my hobby,” she says. “It's what I love to do.” As the founder and medical director of the Santa Barbara Skin Institute, Dr. Sengelmann brings together science and artistry in her dual specialties in surgical and aesthetic dermatology.
With over a decade at the helm of her practice and a background as Director of Mohs/Dermatologic Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine, she’s made Santa Barbara a hub for cutting-edge and compassionate dermatologic care. Her team of six providers focus on skin health and spans two locations, offering everything from general medical dermatology, including mole checks, skin cancer screenings, and acne care to melanoma management, advanced skin cancer surgery and rejuvenative treatments. A fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon, Dr. Sengelmann is one of only a few in Santa Barbara County – and the only female – bringing this specialized cancer-removal technique to local patients.
She’s particularly passionate about the interplay between science and aesthetics. “It’s the marriage of the arts and evolving science,” she says, citing advances in neuromodulators and regenerative techniques like microneedling and platelet-rich plasma. “The wound healing mechanisms that are innate to all of us are what provide their regenerative effects.”
Dr. Sengelmann views aesthetic work through a restorative lens rather than a purely cosmetic one. “I see my job as restoring the integrity of the body... building healthier skin, more beautiful skin,” she explains. “Skin wellness is our overriding goal.” This philosophy stems from her own journey – choosing dermatology over the plastic surgery path laid by her father. “I turned the corner... toward minimally invasive aesthetic enhancement at the bedside, rather than in the operating room.”
Her care is professional, but also customized and deeply personal. Patients visiting the Santa Barbara Skin Institute are met with a holistic, expert approach tailored to enhance and preserve. No sales pitch, just sound science and genuine care.
Welcome to a place where enchantment is found.
A visit to The Winston invites an otherworldly experience, where extraordinary beauty and thoughtfully curated design is enhanced only by the idyllic backdrop of the Santa Ynez Valley wine country.
From luxuries like a pre-stocked honor bar, the privacy of our invisible service, and easy access to boutique shops, eateries, and a local farmer’s market, your invitation to enchantment awaits at The Winston.
WELLNESS & FITNESS
Through spaces that blend expert guidance with empathy and encouragement, these women help individuals build healthier habits and reclaim themselves from chaotic daily life—physically, mentally, and emotionally. This work fosters not only personal transformation, but a sense of belonging that makes fitness and self-care approachable, consistent, and deeply fulfilling.
CHANDA FETTER
CORE SPORT FITNESS & WELLNESS CENTERS
From the stage of professional ballet to the floor of a state-of-the-art wellness studio, Chanda Fetter’s trajectory has been one of resilience, adaptation, and purposeful innovation. Fetter first encountered Pilates as a young dancer in Sacramento recovering from dual foot fractures. “The only thing that was really available to dancers at that time in physical therapy was the reformer and doing Pilates,” she explains.
That moment planted a seed. While studying at UCSB, she began working at Gold’s Gym, where she introduced Pilates into the fitness mainstream. After recognizing the limitations of existing models, she launched her own studio in 2007. By 2016, she rebranded it as Core Sport, merging Pilates with functional training to offer inclusive, results-driven programming.
In January 2020, Fetter moved Core Sport to Loreto Plaza, investing her entire savings to build a new facility—only to have the pandemic hit weeks later. “I lost the entire business in two days,” she recalls. “I had all my money spent in a new location that I didn’t even know would ever open.” Still, she pushed forward, securing permission from thenMayor Cathy Murillo to remain open for private sessions and honored over $75,000 in client credits.
Post-pandemic, the studio didn’t just recover—it thrived. The renewed community focus on health led to rapid growth and, in 2024, the opening of an expanded Wellness Center, which now houses a weight room, private Pilates studio, in-house physical therapy, nutritionist, and pelvic floor specialist. “We’re really trying to support all ages, genders, and abilities in our facility… we’re a Pilates studio, but we’re so much more than that,” says Fetter.
Core Sport now serves a broad demographic— from elite performers to those with mobility challenges. “Fitness programs should complement and improve your quality of life, not hinder it.” Fetter emphasizes. As a board member of State Street Ballet, she sponsors the full artistic company with memberships and employs several dancers, bringing her journey full circle.
DAWN FLAHERTY
DETOX DEPOT
Dawn Flaherty’s journey into natural healing began with her own health crises. At just 24, she was diagnosed with endometriosis, adenomyosis, and uterine cancer. After undergoing multiple surgeries and finding no relief, she reflected, “The more you do to me, the worse I get.” Her path took a radical shift when she met Dr. Charles Farr, the “Father of Oxidative Medicine,” who mentored her for four years and taught her that illness is not a fixed state, but rather “dis-ease”—a misalignment that can be reversed.
Dawn adopted a new lifestyle overnight— juicing, detoxing, and eating for health. She recalls her transformation vividly: “I was drinking 11 glasses of carrot juice, doing five coffee enemas a day, eating oatmeal in the morning, salads at lunch, and Hippocrates soup for dinner.” In just four months, she expelled the tumor, and with it, her belief in conventional interventions.
Today, with over 35 years of experience, Dawn leads Detox Depot, a two-location wellness hub in Santa Barbara and Ventura focused on detoxification and self-guided healing. “Our body is completely capable of healing itself, given the correct environment,” she explains. At the heart of her offerings is the HOCATT chamber— short for Hyperthermic Ozone Carbonic Acid Transdermal Technology—which delivers 10 synergistic therapies in just 30 minutes, including steam, ozone, infrared, CO2, microcurrent, and ultraviolet irradiation.
Other popular treatments include foot detox sessions, where water color changes can indicate chemical overload, joint congestion, or liver stress. But education is always her priority: “Unless you plan on coming here every week for the rest of your life, I’m going to teach you how to detox at home.”
Known to many as “Santa Barbara’s best kept secret,” Detox Depot is where people turn when they feel out of options. As Dawn puts it, “When there are no answers, come see us.”
JENNA SHAHAK
THE BAR METHOD
Movement has always played a pivotal role in Jenna Shahak’s life. But after a ski injury left her searching for a safe and sustainable fitness routine, her journey took a transformative turn in 2011 when she discovered The Bar Method. “What started as a new form of exercise quickly became a life-changing practice,” she recalls. The workout not only helped her rebuild strength, but also provided an emotional anchor. “It became a safe space—no matter what else was happening in my life, I could count on each class to ground me, lift my mood, and leave me feeling good about myself.”
After becoming a certified instructor in 2018, Jenna taught in Los Angeles, where she had spent nearly two decades working in entertainment photography. But eventually, she was ready for a shift. “I was lacking a sense of real connection with people and a sense of fulfillment in helping others,” she says. This longing for deeper purpose led her to pivot from photography to fitness.
Drawn back to the Santa Barbara area—where she had studied at Brooks Institute—Jenna realized a long-standing dream by opening her own studio. “The goal was always to open up here,” she says. That goal became a reality, and The Bar Method Santa Barbara opened its doors on November 8, 2024. “It has been so wonderful… We’ve had such a positive response in the community.”
The Bar Method blends elements of ballet, Pilates, yoga, and strength training. Designed in collaboration with physical therapists, it’s “really accessible for any body, at any age,” Jenna explains. Beyond fitness, her goal is to foster an inclusive, supportive community. “I want my studio to be there for people the way that Bar Method has been there for me,” she says. “Being able to help people and make a positive impact… is something that really fulfills me.”
@BARMETHODSB
mj: women | fitness facility
NATALIE ROWE
FLOAT LUXURY SPA
After a career in pharmaceutical marketing in New York City, Natalie Rowe followed a long-held dream and relocated to Santa Barbara with her family in December 2008. Teaming up with her sister, she opened Float Luxury Spa in April 2009 on East Canon Perdido. Since then, the spa has evolved into a cherished wellness destination for locals and visitors alike.
“I grew up in Southern Connecticut, went to Tulane University thinking I’d be a doctor, and ended up in pharmaceuticals,” Rowe recalls. “My sister, who had been in the spa world since graduating from UCSB, invited me to open a spa together. We took a big leap.”
The original downtown location’s success set the stage for two more expansions. In June 2023, Float opened its second location at Zachari Dunes, a Hilton resort on Mandalay Beach in Oxnard. In December 2024, they unveiled Float Luxury Spa Beachfront inside the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort.
Each location retains a “coastal modern inspired design” with elements of natural beauty, soothing colors, and water motifs. “People walk in and say, ‘Oh my gosh, I feel relaxed already,’” she says.
Float’s signature offering, the 90-minute “euphoria” massage, is especially popular with hotel guests. “It includes all our enhancements and really is the best of the best,” says Rowe. Other popular treatments include luxury facials and seasonal body scrubs, especially during the warmer months.
With a team of nearly 50, Rowe’s leadership remains hands-on. She coordinates with spa directors and managers while also focusing on brand consistency and community outreach. “We want guests to unplug, recharge, and walk out not just relaxed, but reset,” she says. “We get to be the highlight of someone’s day –or even their year.”
Float’s dedication to creating a restorative, hightouch guest experience extends beyond their own doors. Their reputation for excellence has positioned them as trusted partners for local hotels, including the Kimpton Canary, where they serve as the preferred offsite spa provider – bringing their signature warmth and relaxation to the broader hospitality landscape. WWW.FLOATLUXURYSPA.COM
Photos by Bri Burkett Kelly
NATASHA CALEEL
SAGE SOCIETY FITNESS AND WELLNESS
At Sage Society Fitness and Wellness, community is more than a concept—it’s the core of everything. Founded in January 2024 by occupational therapist and Corrective Exercise Specialist Natasha Caleel, Sage Society is a women’s-only strength training studio designed to prioritize support, understanding, and camaraderie. “When women leave, they feel empowered, they feel seen, they feel like they’ve been in a space of people that are in a similar season of life,” says Caleel.
The studio, with locations in Santa Barbara and now Ventura, offers strength training tailored to women’s bodies through all life stages. Unlike traditional fitness environments, Sage Society makes pelvic floor health, perimenopause, and postpartum recovery integral to its programming. Group classes are capped at 18 to maintain individual attention, and semi-private training and one-on-one sessions are also available. “We’re really big on teaching people proper form, getting them comfortable with the different movements, and then progressing them appropriately as they get stronger,” explains Caleel.
Classes span from beginner-friendly sessions to boot camps and even a mom-and-baby class, a favorite for new mothers craving both fitness and connection. “A lot of what we do is try to foster that social interaction because that’s so important during motherhood,” Caleel notes.
Sage Society distinguishes itself not just through expertise, but by cultivating a welcoming, judgmentfree zone. “Being women only, they aren’t worried about how they look or what other people are going to think,” Caleel adds. This ethos has fueled growth—classes regularly reach waitlist capacity, especially the coveted 9 am slot.
The success of the Santa Barbara location led to expansion into Ventura, with plans for more in the future. “If there’s such a need here, then there’s probably a need in other places,” says Caleel.
At its heart, Sage Society stands as a testament to what’s possible when women support one another— in fitness and in life.
mj: women | pilates platform
ROBIN LONG
LINDYWELL
At Lindywell, wellness begins with accessibility, compassion, and consistency. Founded by Robin Long, the Santa Barbara-based platform offers Pilates and wellness tools to a global community in more than 90 countries through its award-winning app—named Best Pilates App by Women’s Health Magazine
Lindywell is more than a workout platform. It’s a space designed to dismantle the guilt and pressure often associated with fitness. “Our approach is about grace over guilt and really working from where you’re at,” says Long. “We don’t have instructors yelling at you or blasting music. It’s calm, supportive, and built to energize without adding stress.”
The app grew out of Long’s desire to make Pilates approachable for people who often felt excluded— from those in rural areas with no studio access to those who could only afford occasional classes. “Pilates is not always affordable or realistic for many people. I wanted to make it something that could truly fit into everyday lives.”
That vision struck a chord. Members report longterm consistency and real-life transformations— from relief from chronic back pain to increased bone density. “The thing we hear more than anything from people is, ‘I’ve never been this consistent with any other workout program in my life,’” Long shares.
Behind the scenes, Lindywell remains rooted in Santa Barbara. Though the platform is digital, the region’s relaxed, wellness-oriented energy is foundational to its identity. “Santa Barbara is really embedded in what we do,” Long notes. It’s also where she and her family have settled after several moves that shaped the business’s early development.
As a mother of four, Long intentionally built Lindywell to integrate with her family life. “I knew I didn’t want to be in the studio 13 hours a day. This has allowed me to be with my kids and involve them when they want to be part of it,” she says. That balance, both personal and professional, reflects the very heart of Lindywell.
A GLIMPSE INSIDE THE MONTECITO COLLECTION, VOLUME V
RISKIN PARTNERS ESTATE GROUP is proud to share a curated sampling from The Montecito Collection, Volume V, our latest edition now in circulation. Thoughtfully designed and elegantly bound, this publication offers a unique lens into life in Montecito—featuring exceptional estates, timeless design, and the spirit of our vibrant community. Reserve your complimentary copy at THEMONTECITOCOLLECTION.COM
RESULTS
RISKIN PARTNERS ESTATE GROUP is a leading real estate team composed of Santa Barbara’s top agents: Dina Landi, Sarah Hanacek, Jasmine Tennis, and Robert Riskin. The team has been ranked #1 in Montecito sales for the last decade, reflecting a long-standing leadership in the market.
Nationally recognized across all brokerages, Riskin Partners is currently ranked among the top 10 small teams in the country by sales volume. Over the past five years, the team reached record-setting #2 and #3 national rankings, a testament to their continued success and reputation for results in the luxury market. From charming cottages to landmark estates, the team has closed over $4 billion in residential sales, including 5 record-breaking annual totals and the 2 highest residential sales in Santa Barbara County history.
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LAS JACARANDAS
ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Reginald Johnson
In the heart of Montecito’s prestigious Golden Quadrangle, Las Jacarandas is a 1932 Reginald Johnson estate that exemplifies timeless elegance, architectural brilliance, and the transformative power of exceptional landscaping. Set on 2.86 acres of impeccably maintained grounds, this iconic property offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of history, seamlessly blending the luxury of modern living with the charm of a bygone era. Enhanced by a private well, the lush grounds flourish year-round, creating a serene oasis of greenery and beauty.
Clear Vision
REMODEL ARCHITECT
Marc Appleton, Appleton Partners LLP
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Stacy Fausset, SAF Landscaping
Tucked at the end of a picturesque cobblestone drive, this breathtaking 2.8-acre ocean-view estate captures the essence of Montecito living. Designed by Marc Appleton, the timeless architecture is gracefully complemented by lush gardens and mature specimen trees—creating a legacy property of rare beauty and enduring appeal.
GREYSTONE
ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
George Washington Smith
Welcome to Greystone, a 1927 stone residence by Montecito’s most celebrated architect, George Washington Smith. Originally designed as a carriage house for 40 acres of land, this enchanting and thoughtfully preserved property is steeped in history and set amidst ancient oaks, meandering pathways, and stone courtyards that embrace indoor-outdoor living.
ELEVATED LIVING, GROUNDED IN BEAUTY
REMODEL ARCHITECT
Mara Dworsky
Nestled within the prestigious enclave of Hope Ranch, this thoroughly reimagined contemporary estate is a masterclass in modern elegance. Designed to embrace its breathtaking surroundings, the home offers a seamless blend of light-filled interiors, expansive mountain views, and thoughtfully designed living spaces. With a stunning interplay of architecture and nature, every detail— both aesthetic and functional—has been meticulously curated. From soaring ceilings and sleek finishes to a spectacular rooftop deck and an entertainer’s dream backyard, this home is a sanctuary of beauty and tranquility. Whether hosting lively gatherings or savoring quiet moments of reflection, this property embodies the best of Santa Barbara’s coveted indoor-outdoor lifestyle.
WESTERLY estate
REMODEL ARCHITECT
Marc Rios
REMODEL DESIGNER
Michael S. Smith
Nestled in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley’s most prestigious Happy Canyon AVA, Westerly stands as a remarkable 200-acre estate with sweeping 360-degree views, a vast vineyard, and equestrian facilities. Just 40 minutes from Santa Barbara, this Tuscan-inspired villa, reimagined by architect Mark Rios and designer Michael S. Smith, is a sublime blend of sophistication and rustic charm. Surrounded by world-class vineyards and rolling hills, Westerly is a rare gem in California wine country.
YOUR PRIVATE RESORT AWAITS
Redefining Santa Barbara architecture for the 21st century, this stunning 2.3-acre ocean-view estate marries Moroccan elegance with minimalist design. Nestled in exclusive Hope Ranch, residents enjoy private beaches and miles of equestrian trails. 4160 La Ladera’s remarkable design has set a new standard for the coveted Santa Barbara lifestyle. Throughout the estate, transformative rooms blend nearly every interior space with nature and escalate everyday experiences into extraordinary moments.
ARCHITECTS
Matt Goff and Zoran Pevec, Archive Design Group
THE HEIGHT OF TIDE & STYLE
ARCHITECT
Moore Rubel Yudell
DESIGNER
Clements Design
Welcome to the ultimate oceanfront estate on coveted Padaro Lane. This chic, contemporary home embodies the relaxed luxury of coastal living. Picture your mornings with sandy toes, sunlit afternoons, and evenings spent watching the sunset—a perfect backdrop for both quiet contemplation and grand celebrations. Nestled on 1.1 acres, the main house captures breathtaking coastal views. Sliding glass doors seamlessly connect indoor and outdoor spaces, creating a harmonious flow. Multiple gathering areas invite you to enjoy the ocean breeze, whether on the expansive seaside deck or the private rooftop patio.
PICTURE PERFECT
Set on 6 private acres in Oak Creek Canyon, this extraordinary Montecito estate offers sweeping ocean and mountain views. A renovated Spanish hacienda blends romantic architecture with grand-scale living.
SEAS THE DAY
Jerry Goodman
3055 Padaro Lane offers the epitome of oceanfront luxury, featuring sprawling grounds, impeccable design, and breathtaking ocean views. Resting on 4.3 flat park-like acres, with 350 feet of bluff front, this estate redefines coastal living, providing an unparalleled retreat of sophistication and serenity on one of the most sought-after locations.
FAR AFIELD
ORIGINAL ARCHITECT
Francis T. Underhill
LANDSCAPE
Far Afield is more than just a home—it’s an estate of lasting beauty and historical importance. With breathtaking views, unmatched design, and a remarkable restoration, it offers an irreplaceable legacy, waiting for its next chapter to be written.
Lockwood de Forest
ORIGINAL
info@pampeldesign.com
Photo by Kim Reierson
One for the Books
by Les Firestein
You Know That Nagging Voice in Your Head Filled With Worry and Self-Doubt? Sara Miller McCune, the Publishing Powerhouse and Philanthropist Par Excellence, Never Had That.
At 84, sitting in her tastefully appointed and unsurprisingly meticulous Montecito home, Sara Miller McCune still has the energy of the precocious teen who skipped a grade in junior high and graduated college at 20. Her home, like McCune herself, seems to have always looked to the future. McCune recalls with crystalline precision the moment in 1965 when, at 24, she decided to abandon her planned European adventure working for others and instead founded and built what would become one of the world’s largest academic publishing empires. This was 60 years ago, long before words and ideas were called “content.”
Remember that time after college when you didn’t know exactly what you wanted to do? Sara Miller McCune didn’t have that either.
Right out of the gate she’d “fallen in love with publishing,” says McCune, her voice carrying the same conviction that’s driven six decades of relentless growth for the publishing giant she founded. “Publishing was a robust business at that time, so I thought there was a good chance I could find a job.” Her first ever job interview was at Macmillan Publishers and that interview went so well that McCune decided not to look elsewhere. “My second scheduled job interview was at a ‘gentlemen’s magazine,’ so I simply took the job at Macmillan.” Macmillan Publishers, for the uninitiated, is one of the top five English language publishing concerns, which has been in continuous operation since 1843. It’s the same Macmillan that published Lewis Carroll, Rudyard Kipling, Alfred
Tennyson, and William Butler Yeats. So, definitely not a bad place to learn the ropes.
That summer job at Macmillan became McCune’s graduate school in the art and science of scholarly publishing. Working for George McCune, a veteran textbook executive who would later become her husband and business partner, McCune learned the intricate dance of academic commerce—tracking sales of everything from crime fiction to college textbooks, and navigating the peculiar rhythms of editors who “disappeared at lunch and then came back pretty much drunk in the afternoon.” More importantly, she absorbed a foundational truth that would leave an indelible impact: academic publishing, particularly in the social sciences, was a dramatically underserved sector—and a quintessentially “unsexy” business. Which is another way of saying it was an overlooked niche where there is consistent demand and not a robust level of competition. McCune had found her home away from home.
Week after week, McCune analyzed sales data across Macmillan’s diverse catalog, from college textbooks to works on religion and criminology. “It was so fascinating
and, to me, intriguing,” she recalls. Young Sara was witnessing, in granular detail, the mechanics of how knowledge moved through society—what the patterns were and where the gaps lay. This would serve her well not only for decades in publishing, but later on in philanthropy.
It was when Robert Maxwell, the flamboyant British media mogul and notorious scoundrel, entered McCune’s orbit through Macmillan’s partnership with his Pergamon Press that McCune got a master class in both opportunity… and peril. Maxwell, impressed by McCune’s ability to help sell his Eastern European academic titles, made McCune what she diplomatically calls “a proposition” at the Frankfurt Book Fair. Fortunately for the world of aca-
demic publishing, it was an offer that McCune could (and did) refuse.
McCune’s response—that her parents “had sent me overseas as a virgin, and expected me to come back in the same condition”—not only deflected Maxwell’s advances, but crystallized her understanding that the academic publishing world was ripe for disruption by someone with different values. Maxwell’s response, in turn, was to truncate McCune’s employment contract. It would be an understatement to say that cutting ties with Robert Maxwell worked out better for McCune than for Maxwell. McCune would go on to birth the Sage Publishing empire. While Maxwell would go on to sire Ghislaine.
Sculpture by Pamela Regan
No Hocus-Pocus, Just Laser Focus
Returning to New York with encouragement from George McCune to start her own company, Sara found precedent, and inspiration, in her family’s entrepreneurial DNA. McCune’s father had built a business installing laundry machines in apartment building basements throughout New York City, while each of his three brothers had also started their own enterprise—one in law, another in stationery and printing, and the third in pharmacy. “I just sort of thought, well, it made sense for people to have their own businesses because my dad and all my uncles did it,” McCune explains with characteristic understatement. “I had no reason to think I couldn’t.”
But there was nothing typical about what happened next. While most entrepreneurs start small and hope to survive, McCune began with grand ambitions shaped by deep market analysis. She identified the social sciences as a discipline that was particularly underserved, and she intended to correct that condition systematically. McCune thought that elevating the social sciences would be not only good business, but good for our republic. McCune says that by “implementing the social sciences and not just studying them, it helps remove the barriers to the practice of democracy—for all.”
Her strategy was elegantly simple and devastatingly effective. McCune met the eventual New York senator Pat Moynihan through a mentor (at the time Moynihan, a social scientist by training, was a professor of Urban Studies at Harvard and MIT).
McCune was able to convert that meeting into a direct-mail solicitation campaign powered by Moynihan’s mailing list from his urban studies program. That strategy might sound tenuous today but it worked like a charm in the 1960s.
Her first publication, in 1965, was called “Urban Affairs Quarterly,” urban affairs being a lifelong fascination for McCune, which would resonate later in her philanthropy. That journal has been in publication ever since. Another publication “Small Group Research” (about the unique behavior of small groups) was edited by one of her college professors who’d go on to become a lifelong friend. Are you getting the idea yet that the precocious McCune was more than comfortable in the world of academia?
Indeed McCune targeted academics in specialized “silos”—researchers who otherwise had no adequate forum for sharing their work, as a critical branch of her business model. “I was always going for the people who were in those little silos,” she says. “I’d feature their work in a one-off journal and if that journal aroused interest, we’d then serialize it into a regular publication.” There was almost a balletic beauty to McCune’s incubator for high
brow, highly nuanced academic research. An idea (once it achieved critical mass) would become a journal. McCune’s successful journals could then go on to become regular publications. Then once a serialized journal had enough content, they would also often become books. Thus, creating a system that was then extremely clever but today would be called a “content ecosystem.”
This approach required extraordinary confidence by a young woman operating in a male-dominated industry. When asked whether gender ever posed obstacles, McCune’s response is characteristically direct: “I just thought if you’re smart, you’re smart, and you do what you can do to make it work and then it works.” This wasn’t naïve optimism, but calculated confidence backed by rigorous preparation and an almost preternatural understanding of markets, academic and otherwise.
The move to California in 1966, prompted by her husband George’s distaste for New York, transformed Sage from a promising startup into a publishing juggernaut. What began in Beverly Hills (“the less expensive side of Wilshire Boulevard”) grew through methodical expansion and strategic acquisitions. By 1990, when George passed away, Sage was already international, having established its London office “six years after we started the business in the U.S. mostly because we knew we were beginning to get a lot of income there.”
McCune’s approach to growth defied conventional publishing wisdom. Instead of chasing bestsellers or broad market appeal, she doubled down on niche academic markets, understanding that sustainable success came from serving communities that other publishers ignored or undervalued. The strategy proved remarkably prescient: today, Sage publishes more than 1,300 journals and roughly 400 books a year, with more than 2,000 employees across offices in Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore, and other major cities.
When Robert Maxwell, the flamboyant British media mogul and notorious scoundrel, entered McCune’s orbit through Macmillan’s partnership with his Pergamon Press, McCune got a master class in both opportunity… and peril.
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The company’s crown jewel may be its work in research methods and program evaluation research—a field McCune helped create from nothing. “I was very proud to publish not just the Evaluation Handbook, which was the two-volume set, but then to launch the first journal in the field of evaluation and then to really help those groups grow and to help people understand what evaluation could do for them.” It’s a perfect encapsulation of McCune’s philosophy: identify underserved intellectual communities, provide them with platforms, and watch entire disciplines flourish.
Independence Over Capital: A Novel Concept
Perhaps most remarkably, McCune has consistently chosen mission over money. As Sage’s value grew into the multiple billions, acquisition offers poured in. “I turned away $3 billion,” she says matter-of-factly. “I had turned away a lot, I mean, they just kept coming with larger offers.” Her response was always the same: Sage was not for sale. “One of my mantras is to be fiercely independent. I saw what happened when a company got bought, and I didn’t build all this to see something like that happen.”
Instead, McCune engineered something nearly unprecedented in modern capitalism: a planned transition to
“One of my mantras is to be fiercely independent. I saw what happened when a company got bought, and we didn’t build all this to see something like that happen.”
permanent independence. McCune sold her voting shares to a trust that will maintain the company’s independence into perpetuity. “Sage is in the trust and can’t be acquired by another publisher,” she explains. It’s a move that sacrificed enormous personal wealth to preserve institutional integrity.
Stepping back from Sage, McCune seems to have leaned into the work and mission of her foundation. The McCune Foundation is deeply focused on Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, and has been significantly moving the needle for the underserved, “doing with others rather than for others,” as she puts it. McCune is a mega advocate for developing social capital locally, everything from immigrant rights to expanding bus routes. A big part of how the foundation does this is by developing grassroots farm teams of community organizers and empowering them. “We’re trying to remove the barriers to the practice of democracy,” says McCune. As if that’s just another thing she could check off her “to do” list. Which in her case she probably could.
At 84, McCune is finally ready to step back, though “taking it easier” remains a relative concept for someone who has spent decades traveling “30, 35% of the time somewhere.” Today she’s preparing to hand over leadership of the McCune Foundation, the same way she’s handed over the reins at her publishing house. “Once that’s complete I will feel like, okay, I’ve done what I needed to do with both my babies.”
In an age when corporate independence is increasingly rare and mission-driven business seems almost quaint like delivered milk, Sara Miller McCune has created something genuinely unusual: a multibillion-dollar enterprise that exists not to maximize shareholder returns, but to serve human knowledge. “Social sciences can save lives,” she insists, and her company stands as proof that believing in ideas—and the people who pursue them—can indeed change and elevate the world. The precocious kid who never let up has ensured that her most important lesson will outlast her: that business, at its best, is not about accumulating wealth, but amplifying human potential.
by
photo
Grace Kathryn Lindelien
Tranquility and Privacy Grand Scale
Tucked behind gates on a peaceful lane, this single-level Mid-Century estate is a tranquil sanctuary where nature and luxury converge. Lush tropical landscaping, curated pathways, and serene outdoor moments create a resort-like atmosphere. Inside, soaring ceilings and walls of glass frame garden views, while a chef’s kitchen, dramatic agate fireplace, and seamless indooroutdoor flow elevate everyday living.
The spa-inspired primary suite features radiant heated floors, steam shower, ceiling-fill soaking tub, and private garden with hot tub and outdoor shower. Two additional ensuite bedrooms and two offices offer flexibility and comfort.
A sparkling pool, modern cabana with bar and home theatre, outdoor kitchen, tennis court, and smart home systems complete this exceptional retreat. Experience the ultimate Montecito lifestyle—private, peaceful, and unforgettable.
TIFFANY DORÉ
805.689.1052 | tiffanydore@villagesite.com tiffanydore.com | DRE 01806890
SHAWN POINDEXTER
805.826.1762 | shawn@villagesite.com villagesite.com | DRE 02222632
STARS FELL
ON SANTA BARBARA
by Steven Libowitz
Celesta Billeci’s Historic Run Leading Arts & Lectures Brought All the Big Names to Santa Barbara. Now She Shares Her Parting Wisdom.
Photo by Isaac Hernández de Lipa
Amanda Gorman (left) with Celesta Billeci.
Over the years, UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) has brought an enviable slate of artists and speakers to Santa Barbara, a who’s who of superstars in their field; legendary greats and emerging artists: Opera star Renée Fleming, thenformer Vice-President Joe Biden (who also dropped by Campbell Hall to chat with students after his sold-out speech at the Arlington), Buena Vista Social Club, Joan Baez, Magic Johnson, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Ken Burns, Neko Case, mandolin superstar Chris Thile, author Elizabeth Gilbert, and the late Anthony Bourdain, to name just a few.
Without institutions like Arts & Lectures and others (the Santa Barbara International Film Festival comes to mind), it would be easier to mistake Santa Barbara for other modestly-sized idyllic towns along the California coast. On the scale of cultural offerings, Arts & Lectures helps Santa Barbara punch above its weight.
Pugilist-in-chief for the past quarter-century has been Celesta Billeci, the Miller McCune Executive Director of UCSB Arts & Lectures who’s retiring this summer after 25 years. Modest though she may be personally, Billeci’s been an indispensable advocate for maintaining Santa Barbara as a thriving hub for culture.
A fierce lover of dance herself, one could also look at
the slate of revered dance companies Billeci and her team brought to Santa Barbara, often the smallest stop on their tours: Nearly all of the major American dance ensembles, from Martha Graham, Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Ailey, and Mark Morris, plus relative newcomers Dorrance Dance and Tiler Peck, regularly perform at the Granada Theatre, which has also hosted international stars Lyon Opera Ballet, Batsheva Dance Company, and many others.
“I actually once supported myself as a dancer,” Billeci recalls. “But then I realized that while I loved dance, I didn’t love performing all that much.” Originally from Sacramento, Billeci enrolled at UCLA, which is where she discovered arts administration as an appealing alternative to appearing on stage. “I found my niche,” she says.
Good thing, or we might never have had the massive expansion of Arts & Lectures over the last quarter-century under Billeci’s stewardship, an era that saw the program grow tenfold, expanding from almost exclusively campusonly events at Campbell Hall to bridging the town-andgown divide and becoming the area’s biggest performing arts powerhouse. The program curled its tendrils into nearly every public venue in town: Hahn Hall at the Music Academy, the Lobero, the Granada, and the Arlington, which holds 2,200 people. A&L has also hosted artists at the Rockwood Woman’s Club (the Danish String Quartet)
by
Photo
David Bazemore
Jazz icon Wynton Marsalis (center right) flanked by Billeci and her family, son Alexander (left) and husband John Hajda (right).
and UCSB’s Harder Stadium (Jack Johnson).
Not surprisingly, awards and accolades have been pouring in since Billeci announced her impending retirement last fall, including recognition with top honors from the Western Arts Alliance and the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission, and praise from local government officials and community leaders, all lauding her stewardship as A&L continues to earn widespread recognition as one of the most-respected public arts presenting programs in the nation.
But Billeci is not one to bask in the glory. Without a scintilla of false modesty, Billeci demurs in accepting the credit, preferring to spread it around to her staff, A&L’s philanthropic benefactors, and the community itself.
“I feel very strongly about this. I am not the star,” she says. “There is no star. The only thing that should be up front and center here is the program, what we offer to the community, and the partnerships we create together.”
As her son Alexander, a baseball star at Dos Pueblos High, heads off to Cornell in the fall, Billeci brings to a close her reign as the longest-running such program director in the UC system’s history.
“The time is right. The program’s in really good shape,” she says. “We are absolutely back to where we were prior to the pandemic, or I couldn’t have left. And 25 is a nice round number.”
You were brand new to town with a vision of bringing big-city bookings to our much smaller burg. How did you make that growth happen?
Carefully and cautiously. We did it with the support of the community, and that mantra “If you build it, they will come.” When we brought Philip Glass to the Lobero early on, and the place was packed, I saw that the audience would come out. Our first fundraiser was with Yo-Yo Ma, whom I knew from L.A., but he hadn’t been here in a long time. It was a big splash. The commitment was always, first and foremost, that we only bring the highest quality artists—all A level, whether it’s musicians, dancers, speakers. Artists that are changing the world, and also up-and-coming ones you’ve never heard of before who’ve gone on to become stars, like Yuja Wang.
Many of the people who play for A&L return over and over. You must have great relationships with not just the booking agents, but a lot of the artists.
Well, it’s Santa Barbara, not Bakersfield. But it’s one of the highest priorities of my position as executive director that we treat the artists as if we are welcoming them to our home. Being on tour is hard. It’s exhausting. So we treat them not only with the utmost respect, but also patience and care, including giving
Stars Fell on Santa Barbara
Courtesy
Billeci, Sara Miller McCune, and stage legend Audra McDonald.
THROUGH JULY 28, 2025
PLUS: A BENEFIT EXHIBITION FOR LOTUSLAND IN JULY
“If anybody tells you you can’t do something, that’s a big red flag for me. My staff knows that I don’t take no for an answer. There’s always a way to make it work, a way to yes that works for everyone.”
– Celesta Billeci
them some downtime. Those personal relationships mean everything to me. It is part of how we compete as a secondary market with the bigger cities. We have to go out of our way to treat them right.
A&L also stepped up commissioning during your tenure, especially these last several years.
We believe in the creation of new work as an essential part of being arts presenters and something we as a community can all be proud of. Even more now with federal funding disappearing, artists need to come to organizations like us for support. I’m so grateful that our local donors have been so supportive. It’s also how we are able to bring shows like Mark Morris’ Pepperland here, one of a very few places that got it.
At the other end of the glitz spectrum, you’ve frequently talked about ¡Viva el Arte de Santa Bárbara! as the most important thing A&L does.
There’s nothing I’m more passionate about. I realized five years in that we weren’t serving everybody in our county, which is our responsibility. People from many of those
Spanish-speaking communities weren’t coming to our program. But we needed partners to make it happen. First, we identified and got buy-ins from Guadalupe and Isla Vista and the Marjorie Luke near Milpas as four equal partners. It’s not an Arts & Lectures program. We decided to take the artists to these communities and not just for performances but also in juvenile detention centers, at housing centers, and lots of public schools. The events are all in Spanish.
But most importantly, it’s designed specifically by the community. We don’t dictate who the artists are. They help curate because this was about creating purposeful and meaningful engagement. We do the legwork, raise the money, facilitate everything, but it’s not our program. It was popular right away, and I knew we were doing the right thing when a high school teacher at Carpinteria said, Thank you for coming to us and making us feel seen. Throwing us free tickets to just any event doesn’t mean anything, but when you bring artists that reflect our culture to where we live and to our schools for our children, then it shows that we matter.
I’m very proud of ¡Viva! I had to make sure it got endowed before I left so nothing will happen to it after my time here.
Photo by David Bazemore
Courtesy of Arts & Lectures
Courtesy of Arts & Lectures Billeci with old pal Yo-Yo Ma... ...Conan O’Brien... ...and Bill T. Jones.
Do you think of yourself as a trailblazer as a woman running the organization?
I don’t know if I’d say that. My two mentors definitely are. Sara Miller McCune and Lynda Weinman. They created their own companies from scratch, which is so inspiring. I met with them over the years as I was building up the organization. I trusted them implicitly. They have always been there for me and have given me really solid advice on every step I’ve made. I have so much admiration for those two women. They’re really wonderful human beings. I aspire to be like them.
I have a special shout out for Sara, who does so many good things in the community, and she’s such a fighter. When she endowed the executive director position, it made a strong statement about how important it is to the community. It’s just beautiful. I call her my soul sister.
Has it been an imperative for you to include more women in the A&L organization and its programming?
I don’t know if I’m a trailblazer, but I have always tried to support and commission female artists whenever
possible, and to have women in my organization. We have to shoot for the stars. If anybody tells you you can’t do something, that’s a big red flag for me. My staff knows that I don’t take no for an answer. There’s always a way to make it work, a “way to yes” that works for everyone.
What are your plans going forward?
I’ll still be here. I’ve already put in my calendar all the A&L events for the fall that I’d like to see. I’ll be sitting next to you in the audience. I’m not making any other plans yet. What I’m going to enjoy is taking it easy for a little bit instead of working 24/7 all the time. I’ll be able to travel a lot more. Then I’m going to start doing arts consulting. I can’t just quit what I love.
Any advice for your successor?
Be passionate about this job. Be willing to work hard, and always say thank you to everybody. Keep your eyes on always bringing the best to Santa Barbara. Enjoy yourself. And get a lot of sleep. You’ll need it.
Photo by Isaac Hernández de Lipa Stars Fell
Wynton Marsalis and Billeci.
Ruth St. Denis Enchants Santa Barbara WAY IT WAS
BY HATTIE BERESFORD
Ruth St. Denis, Eleanor Pierce, and Ted Shawn danced at Riso Rivo in Montecito in 1915.
(Courtesy Santa Barbara Historical Museum)
A Dancer Comes to Town R
uth St. Denis, a founder of modern dance, made her first appearance in Santa Barbara at the Potter Theatre on May 3, 1911. St. Denis enthralled her audience with her dances representing the ancient culture and mysticism of Egypt in addition to her popular Hindu numbers such as “Radha, the Hindu Temple Dance.” She left the Daily News reviewer nearly speechless as he fumbled to describe what he had seen.
“One returns again and again to the impossible task of fitting words to the beauty of last night’s production,” he wrote. “The mystery of the temple, with incense burning before the veiled goddess enthroned; the street scene, vivid with color and sweet, queer noises—the insistent voice of the merchant sitting cross-legged in his open-fronted bazaar as he points out the excellencies of his wares; the snake-charmer with her bodyguard; and lastly, the plains of Ra bathed in the crimson light of the dying day—there are no words—it is incomparable!”
Ruth St. Denis in 1906, at the start of her solo career. (Courtesy New York Public Library)
St. Denis would perform for Santa Barbara audiences 32 times in the next 40 years, and her Denishawn School of Dance in Los Angeles would become the premier school of choice for several local girls, including Martha and Georgia Graham. Martha would go on to form her own dance company, as did several other protégés who advanced and developed modern dance in exciting new ways and dimensions. But as enticing and intriguing as St. Denis’ dances were, her life’s story is equally astonishing.
Early Dancing Years
Ruth Emma Dennis was born in 1879 in Somerset County, New Jersey. Her mother, Ruth Emma Hull, graduated with a medical degree from the University of Michigan in 1872, becoming one of six women graduates in a large coeducational class. Failing health caused her to give up practicing medicine, but she continued to lecture and write on medical and feminist topics. Her father, Thomas Laban Dennis, alternately referred to himself as an inventor, a machinist, an actor, and an electrician. Unfortunately, he was not financially successful in any of his roles. Ruth was an active and inquisitive child. She took dance lessons at the local Somerville dance school, and her mother introduced her to the Delsarte system of expressive movement.
In 1893, the infamous “skirt dance” made its way across the pond, and Ruth became an enthusiastic practitioner. That year, she created a skirt dance routine which was inserted in the annual “Old Homestead” performance in her hometown, and launched her dance career.
The following year, her mother took the family to New York, where 15-year-old Ruth performed five shows a
day, six days a week for $25 a week at Keith’s Union Square Vaudeville Theater. She was described by one reviewer as a graceful dancer in a show that also included such acts as a contortionist, a trapeze artist, and dancing dogs. That year, Ruth added to her repertoire of dance by taking up another fad imported from Europe, that of high kicking.
And then, for a short time, in 1894 and ’95, Thomas Edison made Ruth Dennis a national sensation. The inventor developed a kinetoscope machine that took the nation by storm, allowing people to individually view a moving film
Ad for St Denis’ first performance in Santa Barbara. (Courtesy Santa Barbara Historical Museum)
Ruth St. Denis as Radha in the “Hindu Temple Dance.” (Courtesy New York Public Library)
The poster vividly details the variety of acts in a vaudeville show. (Library of Congress)
that was set to music. One of his films was of Ruth Dennis doing her high kicking skirt dance. Soon, newspapers throughout the nation advertised Ruth’s performance. St. Louis, Missouri, urged people to see “Ruth Dennis, the Famous French High Kicker.” Helena, Montana, told people to “See Ruth Dennis, the champion ‘High Kicker’ of the world.”
Closer to home, the Asheville Citizen-Times advertised the opening of their kinetoscope parlor by saying, “The first subject shown will be Ruth Dennis in her celebrated skirt dancing, accompanied by a flute solo. You see every motion as in life and hear music in perfect harmony at the same time.” Customers were reassured (or disappointed) to learn that in skirt dancing, the series of skirts merged into pantalettes, so that the wildest whirls and the highest kicks did not make for improper viewing.
By 1895, the Dennis family lived in Brooklyn. Money was tight, and 16-year-old Ruth decided to enter a six-day bicycle race at Madison Square Garden, hoping to win the prize money. The entry fee was two dollars, which she didn’t have, so she knocked on the door of an artist she knew and offered to pose for him. Learning of her plan, he ended up donating the money. By the fourth day of the race, she had made quite an impression. “Ruth Dennis, the pretty girl from Somerville, New Jersey, who is attended by her parents, has become a great favorite with the crowd. She is a high kicker by profession and has figured in several burlesques at local theaters.” She didn’t win the race, but she placed and won $100.
Ruth’s first performances were given on the vaudeville stages in New York. (Courtesy New York Public Library)
Ad for Ruth’s Kinetoscope performance. (Newspapers.com)
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SEVEN SEAS CRUISES
Ruth in a homemade dress in one of her “descriptive dances” in 1896. (Courtesy New York Public Library)
The following year, Ruth performed at the largest hotel in New York, the St. George, where she revealed her “descriptive dances.” The reviewer wrote, “Miss Dennis wants to finish her education, and the family have made their home in Brooklyn where Miss Dennis has become so popular with the Hotel St. George people that they tendered her the benefit which took place last night.” Other benefits by “the many friends of Miss Dennis” followed.
In 1895, Ruth entered the six-day Madison Square Garden women’s bicycle race and won $100 dollars. (Library of Congress)
(top) Aman wearing earphones views the film that is sycronated with music. (Wiki Commons)
(right) A line of Edison’s Kinetoscope machines which showed moving pictures set to music. (National Park Service)
The Belasco Years
By 1898, Ruth had joined David Belasco’s troupe of players and headed for London where she made quite an impression. (Belasco was an innovative theatrical producer and writer.) Upon her return in 1900, Ruth was commissioned to dance at a performance at the Academy of Music. In the article leading up to the event, the critic wrote, “[Ruth Dennis’] dance has won fame and admirers for her. It has the appearance of hundreds of roses and flowers all tumbling over each other in wild rhythmic delight… It will be a mistake for any person to miss this dance, which set London and Paris all agog.”
Despite this foray into terpsichorean stardom, Ruth settled in as an actress with the Belasco repertory company, only occasionally dancing. Belasco gave her the title “St. Ruth” because of her prim and proper manner that contrasted with the reckless and risqué behavior of her fellow performers.
By 1904, Ruth was tiring of the Belasco scene and, as the story goes, had an epiphany when she espied a cigarette poster depicting the image of the Egyptian goddess Isis framed by temple columns. Something about the stillness of the Goddess staring out into eternity captured both her imagination and her spirit. While still working for Belasco, she began to explore Asian ideas, mysticism, and movement. She turned first to Hindu music, culture, and religion. Not having the funds to take a grand tour, she studied, read, and befriended the Indian community in Brooklyn to learn as much as she could.
Ruth had a role acting and dancing in Belasco’s ZAZA (Courtesy Library of Congress)
While still with Belasco, Ruth developed a “tumbling roses” act which was very popular despite Belasco’s misgivings.
(Courtesy NYPL)
David Belasco was a famous New York theatrical producer who opened his own theater and whose innovations of lavish settings, attention to detail, and experiments in lighting established a new standard for theatrical productions. Ruth used his concepts in her own work. (Courtesy Library of Congress)
Striking Out on Her Own
In New York, Ruth had acquired a small group of women sponsors who promoted her efforts. In January 1906, Ruth changed her name to St. Denis and was ready to present the Hindu dances she had learned and created. Ruth worked out all her effects for herself. She developed her dances, constructed her jewelry, dresses, and stage scenery, and she chose the instruments to interpret the music.
Inspired by this poster for Turkish cigarettes featuring the Egyptian goddess Isis, Ruth purchased this poster and changed the direction of her life. (Courtesy New York Public Library)
Ruth included East Indians from Brooklyn in her initial performances and created elaborate costumes and settings for dances. (Courtesy New York Public Library)
From primitive beginnings, Ruth’s Radha dance developed into an extravagant production. (Courtesy New York Public Library)
Given initially at several private functions, a performance at the New York Theatre garnered a favorable review. The next performance in Duluth, however, was cancelled due to fears that the police might shut it down. The reviewer had seen her earlier at one of the private entertainments and described her outfit as scant and sleeveless.
“Her waist is bare, and her skin is tinted tawny as are her feet and ankles. Her legs are nude to somewhere above the knees.”
In March, Ruth danced at an invitation matinee at the Hudson Theatre. “The little knot of women who were interested in Ruth’s seven-year struggle with poverty and disappointment hosted the event,” wrote the reporter for the Tribune. After this performance, Ruth acquired a producer, Henry B. Harris, who booked appearances in London, followed by other engagements in Paris, Berlin, Hamburg, and Vienna.
While she waited for the European tour to begin, she offered to give benefit performances at various churches and charities. Many accepted, but when they learned she would be dancing in bare feet, the performances were cancelled. “The detail of Miss St. Denis’ dancing that we most
object and under no circumstances would allow in the building, is her pirouette in bare feet,” said the organizer of a benefit for the Mary F. Walton free kindergarten. Newspapers from around the United States made much of the cancellations, and the Los Angeles Times headline read, “Barefoot Dancing is Too Naughty for Charity.”
In Boston, a leery audience of Boston blue bloods sat through Ruth’s performance, also a benefit for charity, and thought it wasn’t so bad. The reviewer, however, was less than impressed, saying that her dance belonged in a carnival side show. He noted that Senator Clark had exploited her in the beginning, but that now she was exploiting herself.
It must have been with some relief that she, her mother, and her brother finally departed for England. There, she found acceptance. On June 26, 1906, she danced at the home of the Duchess of Manchester; on July 3 she danced at the studio of the famous Dutch painter, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema; and on July 24, Ruth danced before King Edward VII, who “keenly enjoyed her performance.”
A tawny-tinted Ruth showing more than bare feet. (Courtesy Library of Congress)
A demurely clad Ruth St. Denis with bare feet. (Courtesy New York Public Library)
CHICAGO TITLE
On the Way to Santa Barbara
In Europe, Ruth had become an instant sensation as she mesmerized audiences thirsty for transcendent beauty and novelty. A writer for the Butte Miner, Ella Wheeler Wilcox, saw her perform her signature Hindu dance in Paris and was transfixed. “’Radha,’” she wrote, “is a dance and a hymn, a prayer, a picture, and an epic poem, all in one… It is better than a sermon and greater than any sacred music ever heard or played.”
Wilcox questioned St. Denis after the performance and learned that Ruth had always dreamed of doing something distinctive and worthwhile, so after two years’ concentration and study, “Radha” was created. “The public was electrified by her finished creation when it was produced in America,” Wilcox wrote. “It was new, it was poetical, it was an appeal to the soul as well as to the eye… So here is another woman who has created a new thing in art, and again in the realm of terpsichore. Let her name go into the hall of fame. She has elevated her art and given the world a beautiful work.”
By 1910, Ruth had added dances depicting the religion and customs of ancient Egypt to her repertoire. When her company of 50 arrived by train from Los Angeles for the perfor-
Promotional reports of Ruth’s success in Europe hit the American papers in 1907. (Newspapers.com)
Program from the 1915 performance at the Potter Theatre. (Courtesy Santa Barbara Historical Museum)
mance at the Potter Theatre in Santa Barbara in 1911, Ruth opened with her Egyptian suite of dances starting with “The Feast of Eternity,” and ended the show with “Radha” and her famous “Cobra Dance.” Santa Barbara was enthralled.
Ruth’s company continued to develop their style and dances, and in January 1915, St. Denis returned to Santa Barbara to dance in a much-varied program. The company brought their own electricians, lights, elaborate props, costumes, and scenery. The program now included Japanese and Arabian dances in addition to original compositions. The program also featured dozens of additional dancers including America’s foremost male dancer, Ted Shawn, whom she had married just months before.
After the performance, Dorothy F. Eaton, daughter of artisan and landscape architect Charles Frederick Eaton, wrote a poem titled “After Seeing Ruth St. Denis.” The final stanza of her poem reveals her awe and admiration.
Oh thou, who to thy native Land hast brought The riches of the Orient; the store Of incense, pearls, and golden fabrics fraught With meaning for a younger cooler shore—
Accept our praise. Would our applause could be Waving of Palms, and Bell’s soft harmony.
As the years passed, St. Denis added additional Asian and Middle Eastern cultures to her repertoire. (Courtesy NYPL)
Denis in her famous Peacock Dance based on the myth of a woman who was so vain, she turned into a peacock. (Courtesy New York Public Library)
Ruth St. Denis on the stage of the lotus pond at Riso Rivo at the Wistaria Fête. (Courtesy Santa Barbara Historical Museum)
The Lotus Pond with its floating tea house made a magical setting for the dance program given by Ruth St. Denis, Ted Shawn, and Eleanor Pierce. (Courtesy Santa Barbara)
In April, Charles Frederick Eaton and Florence Baxter Eaton hosted their annual Wistaria Fête at their Montecito estate, Riso Rivo. Ruth St. Denis, Ted Shawn, and Eleanor Pierce were invited to perform on a stage built on the estate’s lotus pond. The illumination artist, Robert Wilson Hyde, painted posters by hand for the event and distributed them to the most notable hotels in California.
The fête, intended as a benefit for the Recreation Center, was a stupendous and expensive undertaking. The Morning Press reported, “In a grove of oak trees, down by the limpid pool bordered by stately white lilies, at the head of the Riso
Rivo grounds, the Wistaria Fête was held yesterday… On a platform built out into the lake and so close to the surface of the water that it seems to float upon it like a large raft, Ruth St. Denis, Eleanor Pierce, and Ted Shawn danced before a brilliant assembly from all over the world.”
The famous peacock dance was performed on a stretch of lawn bordered with tall stocks of blooming watsonias. Though there were only three dancers, the program was varied and included a Grecian Suite, the Mazurka, Dances from the Garden of Karma, the Hawaiian Waltz, and the popular Hesitation Waltz.
Denishawn Comes to Santa Barbara and Montecito
Later that same year, Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn opened a school of dance in Los Angeles named Denishawn. Among their early pupils were two local girls, Martha and Georgia Graham. Martha would go on to form her own modern dance company and unique style while Georgia remained with Denishawn for many years.
In 1920, Ruth and Ted spent their sixth anniversary at El Mirasol, Albert and Adele Herter’s cottage hotel in Santa Barbara. While in town, they posed for a motion picture and staged a performance in the beautiful courtyard of El Mirasol which had been turned into a Persian garden.
As the year progressed, private performances by Ruth proliferated in Santa Barbara and Montecito. After El Mirasol, Ruth danced at sunset at the Breakers, an estate on Channel Drive. A week after that, Esther Fiske Hammond commissioned Ruth St. Denis to dance at a party for Geraldine Graham and Ottilie Hansen at the Ambassador Hotel (former Potter Hotel) on West Beach. A week later, Ruth danced at the Henshaws’ Mira Vista estate in Montecito with the
Ruth and Ted Shawn dance the Hawaiian Waltz at Riso Rivo in Montecito in 1915. (Courtesy Santa Barbara Historical Museum)
A graceful arabesque at the Wistaria Fête. (Courtesy Santa Barbara Historical Museum)
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Clerbois Trio providing the incidental music. And in December, Ruth danced at the opening of the Samarkand Hotel on New Year’s Eve. She would follow that up with four engagements at the Samarkand in 1921.
In 1922, the Denishawn Company was preparing for a two-year tour in Europe, and St. Denis gave a farewell performance at the Potter Theatre. She and three of her dancers gave a varied program in which all the dances were set to classical music. The reviewer noted her radiant virtuosity but also her advancing age. “The poet who sang ‘Age cannot wither, nor custom stale her infinite variety,’ might well have had Ruth St. Denis in mind, for during the entire period this artiste has been before the public—and that is a long time, as these things are reckoned—she was never more brilliant than upon the occasion of her appearance here last night.”
By December 1924, Denishawn was back in the United States and danced in Santa Barbara for the last time. The Morning Press announcement said, “Ruth St. Denis, as season after season New York and the rest of the country sees her creation of beauty, has gained unquestioned the name of being the
The beautiful gardens of Mira Vista provided an appropriate landscape for Ruth St. Denis’s artistry in 1920. (Courtesy Santa Barbara Historical Museum)
greatest dancer in America. She has produced and created a whole new school and style of dance.”
By 1924, their explorations of style and movement had continued to progress toward visualizations of music and art. Ted performed a sculpture plastique (a technique he had created) to Godard’s Adagio Pathetique. He was painted white and posed on a pedestal while moving in an unbroken flow from posture to posture. Other varieties of dance such as Flamenco, Javanese, and a version of the historical Boston Fancy entertained the audience.
Ad for Denishawn’s last performance in Santa Barbara. (Courtesy Santa Barbara Historical Museum)
Ruth and Ted took the company, which included local girl Georgia Graham, to Japan in 1925. (Courtesy New York Public Library)
Ted Shawn in his sculpture plastique, “The Death of Adonis.” (Courtesy New York Public Library)
St. Denis danced in the enchanted courtyard of Albert and Adele Herter’s El Mirasol Hotel in 1920. (Courtesy Santa Barbara Historical Museum)
Ruth performed at the opening of the Samarkand Hotel on New Year’s Eve 1920. (Courtesy Santa Barbara Historical Museum)
In 1921, local girl Martha Graham performed with Ted Shawn in his "Malaguena." (Courtesy New York Public Library)
In 1923, Ted Shawn (left) included Ernestine Day, “Jeordie” Graham, and Charles Weidman in his “Pas de Quatre.” (Courtesy New York Public Library)
J. Walter Collinge photographed Albert Herter and Ruth St. Denis in their roles for Herter’s extravaganza production, The Gift of Eternal Life. The photograph was taken at Lolita Armour’s estate of El Mirador, the former Riso Rivo. (Courtesy Santa Barbara Historical Museum)
J. Walter Collinge’s photo of silent screen star and Albert Herter protégé, David Imboden, playing the pangeran to Ruth St. Denis’s courtesan. (Courtesy Santa Barbara Historical Museum)
The Gift of Eternal Life
St. Denis’ last major appearance in Santa Barbara was in 1929 for a benefit for the Community Arts Association at the new Lobero Theatre. Written and produced by Albert Herter, The Gift of Eternal Life reached back to Ruth’s original Hindu days with music by Ratan Devi. Ruth St. Denis starred as the courtesan, David Imboden (artist and silent movie star) as the pangeran (prince), and Albert Herter was, of course, the king.
The play revolves around the desires of a faithless queen, her faithless lover, and the wisdom of receiving a gift that bestows eternal life. The Morning Press declared it an “Artistic success” and credited Herter with the writing, stage sets, costumes, and acting. “St. Denis as the courtesan who makes the king see that eternal life is something more than living on forever in this world, was never better,” said the reviewer. “She rose to fine heights in her dramatic work and gave splendid expression to her feelings in her dancing.”
Though Ruth’s visits to Santa Barbara became infrequent in succeeding years, she remained active in the world of dance for the rest of her life. Ruth St. Denis died in Los Angeles on July 21, 1968. She was 89 years old. Her influence on the next generation of modern dancers, like Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, Lillian Powell, and Charles Weidman, cannot be overstated, and her influence and presence in Santa Barbara added to that richness of cultural experiences for which the town is known.
Program from The Gift of Eternal Life. (Courtesy Santa Barbara Historical Museum)
Ruth St. Denis in her first iteration as Isis in 1904. From there, she set the world of dance afire and became, together with Isadora Duncan and Loie Fuller, one of the three mothers of modern dance.
(Courtesy New York Public Library)
Sources: contemporary newspaper articles; ancestry.com sources; New York Public Library, California Arts and Architecture, April 1929; theater programs archived at Santa Barbara Historical Museum; accessed March, 2025; https:// www.jacobspillow.org/about/pillow-history/ruth_st_denis/ Star Leger, May 10, 1981; “Ruth St. Denis,” New York Public Library archives “Biographical/Historical Information; Jerome Robbins Dance Division, The New York Public Library. The New York Public Library Digital Collections on Ruth St. Denis and Denishawn.
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Faith, trust, and pixie dust: Reynolds in his natural habitat, the Santa Barbara County Courthouse.
THE TRUTH ABOUT PETER PAN
by Thomas R. Reynolds
Photos by Kim Reierson
Confessions of a Courthouse
Docent
Turns out I’ve been telling it wrong. While leading tours of the magnificent Santa Barbara County Courthouse, I usually get the most response not from describing Dan Sayre Groesbeck’s monumental historical tableaux in the Mural Room, but from pointing out a cameo by Peter Pan who’s peeking out from behind a tree in the rear.
“Over the small rear door on the window side of the room is an additional character to our mural, Peter Pan,” says the docent training script. “At the time the mural was being painted, Flying A Studios, here in Santa Barbara, was out on our Channel Islands filming a black and white silent movie of the original Peter Pan. ”
That’s the way we learn to tell the story. It perfectly illustrates the major influence early filmmaking had on the artistry of the courthouse and it always elicits a surprised response.
Unfortunately, those details aren’t exactly correct. So I learned a few days after Christmas when The New York Times arrived on our doorstep. Inside, a full-page story in the Arts section was headlined: “The First ‘Peter Pan’ Blockbuster Turns 100 but Hasn’t Grown Up.”
Exciting! Here was our own story in The New York Times. As I read the article, I became even more surprised.
“Decades before the animated Disney movie and the Mary Martin stage musical, the silent film Peter Pan was released 100 years ago this month, becoming a blockbuster in its day.” The Times had called it “a pictorial masterpiece” in a review published on December 29, 1924 (alongside a review of the new Rin Tin Tin movie).
Wait a minute: Peter Pan premiered in December 1924? That’s six or seven months before the June 29, 1925 earthquake damaged Santa Barbara’s Greek Revival courthouse beyond repair, making way for the new Spanish courthouse and its Mural Room.
And the film was not made by Flying A Studios, but by Paramount Pictures. Later, the article reported, “Paramount sold the film rights to Walt Disney, who, after a number of delays, made it into his 1953 feature-length animated film.” In fact, Flying A never made a silent film of Peter Pan, according to Betsy J. Green, a local authority on Flying A and author of Silents on the Islands. It couldn’t have made one during construction of the courthouse in the late ‘20s, since Flying A was active in Santa Barbara for only eight short years—from July 1912 to July 1920, when it went out of business, a victim of a rapidly changing industry.
The Times article included a number of interesting details about the film.
“It fell out of sight after talkies replaced silent films,” the story said. “Many feared it lost until it was rediscovered in the 1940s by a film preservationist who found a copy at the famed George Eastman House theater in Rochester, New York, that had trained organists to play along with silent movies.” That “was once a lucrative gig. With the dawn of sound, those jobs dried up and the films were left in cans in a vault.”
The film also was significant in another respect: merch.
“This was one of the first films that had an extensive merchandising campaign for clothing and books, and all sorts of other things to cross-promote the film,” David Pierce, a retired archivist from the Library of Congress, told the Times. Pierce “developed an attachment to the silent Peter Pan film and eventually helped distribute it,” the Times reported.
When the film premiered in 1924, “it opened in about 250 theaters across the United States,” Pierce said. In Santa Barbara, it screened for four days the week after Christmas at the newly completed Granada Theatre. Betty Bronson, the teenaged star who played Peter Pan, showed up for the premiere.
Poster for the 1924 film. Star Betty Bronson edged out Mary Pickford and Gloria Swanson for the title role.
Handbill featured in Betsy Green's "Silents on the Islands."
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Peter Pan merchandise was available in nearby stores on State Street. Peter Pan kid clothes were advertised in the Morning Press at Eisenberg’s, and The Peter Pan Fountain Pen had just arrived at Santa Barbara Drug Co. in six colors. The Peter Pan song was available in “sheet music, records, and rolls” at the Bailard-Cramer music store. A Peter Pan gramophone came in deluxe black or leather. The pirate ship from the film was used in celebrating the first Fiesta in 1924.
Artist Dan Sayre Groesbeck, who painted the murals in the Mural Room—and would go on to collaborate with director Cecil B. DeMille as a studio artist—had settled in Santa Barbara in 1924. He must have been aware of the Peter Pan hoopla. Perhaps he even saw the film at the Granada. At the time, he had a studio a few blocks north at 1531 State Street and would have been
basking in the glow of his celebrated historical painting of Cabrillo’s landing, which was completed that year for the new County National Bank building at State and Carrillo.
Groesbeck’s massive painting created for the bank now hangs in the courthouse outside the Mural Room. It was a key reason he was commissioned to paint the murals—which gave him an opportunity to leave a lasting reminder of Peter Pan’s local connections in the courthouse Mural Room.
The original Peter Pan celebrated its centenary last year with screenings in Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and in England. For those who missed it, the film can be found in its entirety on YouTube
But if you want to see Peter Pan in person, the courthouse Mural Room is always an option.
COTTON TALES
by Tiana Molony
How I Unknowingly Stumbled Into a Crash Course in Cotton Varieties
“Imagine you’re in the Caribbean,” says Raul Verdicchi, the CEO of British luxury clothing brand Sunspel, as we stand in their new store in the Montecito Country Mart. It’s their third location in California, following one in the Marin Country Mart and one in Silver Lake. “And imagine there’s a huge storm,” he continues. “The storm ends, and you have the first sun spell. Now, what I just described is a perfect location and a perfect weather condition for Sea Island Cotton to grow.”
Sea Island Cotton (proper noun, please) is indeed very soft; known for its silky-smooth feel. So I’m told, it’s been the British Royal Family’s preferred cotton choice. Queen Elizabeth I was fond enough of Sea Island Cotton that she banned its unauthorized export. The ban is apparently still in effect, so I assume the cotton inventory before me has the royal stamp of approval.
According to Verdicchi, the brand is named for that precise moment when the first ray of sunlight slices through the clouds following a storm. He tells me this while caressing one of his Sea Island Cotton shirts.
Photo by Buzz White
Before becoming Sunspel’s CEO, Verdicchi was regional director of Western Europe for Zegna. You may expect the CEO of a British luxury clothing brand to be at least somewhat pompous. Still, I don’t get that vibe. Sure, he’s got the look: a navy suit and a polo. But he doesn’t act like a CEO; he’s charming and down-to-earth, and not in a performative way. It’s genuine.
Verdicchi seems quite at home flogging me with everything I didn’t already know about cotton. That many different varieties? One that feels like silk? I’m embarrassed to admit my ignorance.
But I let go of my inhibitions.
“This is a carbon brush cotton,” he says, placing his palm on the inside of the next shirt. “You said you don’t know about how many cottons there are. This is another example of heavyweight cotton.” He entreats me to touch the shirt and I’m in awe at the softness. He smiles, having anticipated my reaction. After all, these are the cottons of Brad Pitt at the Hungary Grand Prix, Cillian Murphy at the London Oppenheimer premiere, and Daniel Craig as James Bond. Sunspel also made bespoke shirts for The Rolling Stones (I’m told Ronnie Wood prefers a deep V neckline).
Photos by Buzz White
We do this for 30 minutes—sampling every fabric available at the store: Sea Island Cotton, Supima Cotton, British Wool, Merino Wool, Scottish Lambswool, and Scottish Cashmere, to name a few. What I thought would be a simple tour through the shop becomes an in-depth history lesson about fabrics and their softness.
We originally planned to walk around the store briefly and conduct the rest of our interview sitting down. But every time we try to sit, there is a new article of clothing Verdicchi wants me to feel, so we talk while making multiple loops through the store, feeling T-shirts, pants, coats, sweaters, oh, and underwear.
“I want you to feel this one,” he says, rushing to the next shirt like Jay Gatsby flaunting his shirt collection to Daisy and Nick. Unlike Daisy, I keep my composure, but only after our interview do I realize the importance of touching the fabrics. You can’t know the scope of Sunspel’s inventory without getting your hands on it.
Finding a clothing store that’s forthright about its fabrics is rare. About a year ago, I started paying close attention to the composition of my clothes, checking the labels to find its makeup. Anything with polyester or acrylic fails my test. At Sunspel, I don’t even have to turn the tag over. I know it’s the good stuff.
By the end of my visit, I think my fingers might have gone raw from the overstimulation of touching all those wonderful cotton shirts. On the contrary. I am like Queen Elizabeth I, wanting to keep them all for myself.
Photo by Buzz White
Photos by Sara Prince
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MIXING & MATCHING
THE POSITIVE STYLE
AFFIRMATIONS OF AQUARIUS
COCKTAIL’S
LISSA ZWAHLEN THOENY
Designer and stylist Lissa Zwahlen Thoeny keeps two studios. One is in Montecito, but today she’s working out of her 11th floor studio in a historic Beaux Arts building in downtown Los Angeles. She’s wearing white Birkenstocks, zebra print pants, and a classic striped button-up shirt with a cropped football jersey layered on top. Her silver hair is a polished wavy bob. Long and short gold necklaces dangle from her neck. Her glasses, dark-framed. On paper, this outfit should not work, but she rocks something like this all the time. And she thinks you can rock it, too.
“People see me and say, ‘Oh, you look so great, that’s amazing. I could never wear it,” Thoeny says. “And I want to reverse that. I want to say, ‘Yes, you can.’ Maybe you don’t do it exactly this way—what you respond to is creativity—and it can be applied to any woman’s personality or body type.”
This creativity is the hallmark of Thoeny’s bespoke clothing line, Aquarius Cocktail. Her brand, with its brick-and-mortar outpost studio on Coast Village Road, playfully combines opposites with style-forward pieces that reflect her own wardrobe.
“It’s very fun,” says Thoeny, standing near bolts of deadstock fabric and stacks of hanging patterns. With Aquarius Cocktail she invites women to be more expressive with their style. “I want to allow women to open up ideas of what they can wear. There’s such a joyfulness when you dress for yourself—I really don’t do it for anyone else.”
Thoeny typically spends most of her days in Los Angeles, but on weekends, she and her husband live in a little house near Butterfly Beach.
“Our social life is up there,” she says. “I’ve met a lot of people through the studio. I just love the idea that I can hike, or walk on the beach… I can have so many different types of activities in a day and then have a really fantastic dinner somewhere. I mean, I love the contrast of what Montecito offers.”
Thoeny is no stranger to offering contrasts either. She points to a rack of retro Polo shirts with their sleeves cut off then augmented with ballgown-style puffed fabric. Another rack has army jackets with cut long-ruffle sleeves
BY SOPHIA KERCHER
PHOTOS BY SARA PRINCE
“THE LESS FEARFUL YOU ARE ABOUT YOUR FASHION CHOICES, THE MORE EXCITING THEY ARE.”
and jacket liners meant to be worn as outerwear, made distinctive with embroidery and a fresh shape; perfect for Grammy afterparties, gallery openings, and going to the store. Although not necessarily in that order. One principle Thoeny stands by: the less fearful you are about your fashion choices, the more exciting they are.
“I love to mix masculine silhouettes with a really beautiful silk blouse that’s unbuttoned at the top. And I love to put pearls on with anything,” Thoeny says. “All that said, I never want to go out of the house and look like a crazy lady.”
Thoeny’s design sensibility reflects decades of experience. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and moved to Southern California in the ‘90s as the surf industry began to take off, working for several brands in Orange County before landing at Quicksilver where she helped found the beloved women’s activewear line Roxy.
“So much of that experience of working in women’s surf defined my aesthetic,” she says. “When I started my own company I didn’t want a surf company, but I couldn’t not let California be part of my vocabulary.”
I tell Thoeny that I was a Roxy girl in the late ‘90s and early aughts. Not only did I get sent home from middle school for my micro Roxy jean shorts, but I spent all my allowance buying a turquoise-and-blue two-piece from the dELiA*s catalog that I thought might transform me into the surf babe I felt destined to be. I grew up in a sweaty, land-locked Sacramento longing to be near the water and landed in Santa Barbara for college where my dorm faced the ocean. High up on the 8th floor, I fell asleep listening to the waves. Between classes, I sprawled out in my bikini sunning myself on the sand—feeling alive and so, so lucky.
In Montecito—where everyone is at least a little lucky—Thoeny’s shop makes for a whimsical showroom. Along with Aquarius Cocktail’s signature outfits, it houses stacks of vibrant pillows, beach-inspired jewelry, Thoeny’s personal art collection, and a spate of California-made home and beauty products.
She also offers styling services by appointment. After all, no one is ever too old to play dress up— with or without your own animal print and football jersey combo. WWW.AQCCLOTHING.COM
Thoeny posing with a close friend.
Peter Adams
Rebecca Arguello
Ann Shelton Beth
Bela Bacsi
George Bodine
Suchitra Bhosle
Eli Cedrone
Chris Chapman
Casey Childs
John Cosby
Steve Curry
Nancy Davidson
Rick Delanty
Camille Dellar
Ellie Freudenstein
Rick Garcia
Kevin Gleason
Derek Harrison
Wyllis Heaton
Gregory Hull
Ray Hunter
John Iwerks
David Jenks
Irene Kovalik
Mark Lague
Jim McVicker
John Modesitt
Craig Nelson
Dakota Pitts
Jesse Powell
Ann Sanders
Eric Slayton
Matt Smith
Ezra Suko
Thomas Van Stein
Jove Wang
Nina Warner
Ralph Waterhouse
WINE MUSIC ART VINTAGE SOUL
Photo by David Yager
Dressed to Kiln
by Zachary Bernstein
Karen Shapiro Turns Up the Heat for a Bit of Iconic Nostalgia
(Just Hold Onto Your Eyebrows)
If you’re someone who’s comforted by consistency, you can get peace of mind knowing that every day, deep among the idyllic redwood trees of coastal Gualala in the southern tip of Mendocino County, Karen Shapiro is starting fires in a metal trash can.
“If I don't do it every day, I don't know what to do with myself. My doctors don't believe I'm doing what I'm doing. Basically, I'm stubborn.”
“I like fire,” Shapiro tells me, almost growling. The devastation of the recent Palisades and Eaton fires are on her mind, but this is her line of work. “It’s dangerous, but it’s fun. It’s a little bit of an adventure because I’m never sure what’s going to be there when I open up the can.”
The fire’s not the point, of course; it’s just part of the Japanese Raku ceramic firing process that Shapiro employs every day in her backyard studio. After the step of heating up her creations to a glowing 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, she transfers them—carefully, with a heavy-duty set of tongs—into that trash can full of shredded paper; a crass but efficient reduction chamber.
“The first time I tried it, I said, ‘Oh my god, this is crazy. I’m never gonna do that again.’ You open the kiln and the heat blasts into your face. But I got used to it and it became enjoyable.” One would think exposure to the extreme heat would be a great way to crack the clay— and it will if you don’t know what you’re doing—but Shapiro’s a pro. “I don’t get much breakage at all unless UPS breaks it during shipping,” she says. “UPS can break anything they set their minds to.”
Yes, the extreme nature of Raku firing has its potential hazards and Shapiro has singed her eyebrows once or twice, but this method is much faster than the many-hours-long process of using an electric kiln. It’s how she manages to be so productive.
Photos courtesy of Karen Shapiro
Her ceramic sculptures are realistic replicas of iconic products from her own baby-boomer youth, or longexisting products branded with their bygone packaging designs. All graphics are done by hand—no decals: vintage Heinz ketchup bottles, Kodak film canisters, a Crayola 5-pack, and all sorts of rusted automotive oil tins I’m sure I saw discarded in the corners of my grandparents’ garage. If it weren’t for the riot of fine cracks under the glaze and larger scale, they’d appear identical to the original
products. Looking at them, it’s hard not to feel a sense of nostalgia. Compared to today, mid-twentieth century commerce seems so quaint.
People like buying them too. Among her bestsellers are individual M&M’s and random pharmaceuticals. “M&M’s are one of the banes of my existence,” Shapiro says. “I can’t stop making them, but I wish I could because they drive me crazy.”
Photo courtesy of Karen Shapiro
“My mother wanted to move and my father said no, so she burnt the house down and then we moved.”
Shapiro
The Winding Road to Gualala
S
hapiro spent a part of her childhood in Tucson, Arizona, but that came to a dismal end after a dispute between her parents. “My mother wanted to move and my father said no, so she burnt the house down and then
we moved.” To Los Angeles they went, and she’s mostly been lurching northward through California ever since. Santa Barbara was her home—for just a year—while she was studying and dabbling in the clay studio at UC Santa Barbara in the 1960s. Shapiro then transferred to UC Berkeley where she met her husband of five years, Neil Shapiro. She would later support them both as a secretary in New York City while he studied at Columbia Law
Photo courtesy of Karen
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School. She hated New York and was thrilled to get back to California. Though her marriage with Neil didn’t last, they remained close friends, so much so that he loaned her the deposit money for her house in Gualala.
While her dedication to Raku is unwavering, she maintains a humble awareness of her output: “If someone asks me for an artist statement, I send them a picture of me smoking with a ceramic match. I don’t do art speak, I
find that to be nonsense. At my first show in Philadelphia, the art critic from the Inquirer came to do a write up. He said, ‘She’s good at what she does, but the work is a little superficial.’ Honey, it’s a ketchup bottle.”
It’s a fool’s errand digging for meaning in art by an artist who insists there isn’t much meaning to her art. Nevertheless, her enterprise is all-consuming; a sevendays-a-week endeavor. She makes something new every day despite mounting difficulties, deteriorating eyesight among them. She could be filling her days doing anything, but Raku prevails. “If I don’t do it every day, I don’t know what to do with myself,” she says. “My doctors don’t believe I’m doing what I’m doing. Basically, I’m stubborn.”
I ask her—and, you know, this is just a stab in the dark here—if her ceaseless devotion to Raku, her constant proximity to the flames, her eyebrow-singeing brushes with danger, and her routine fire-born artistic output might possibly have roots stretching back to that time in Tucson when her mother set fire to her childhood home.
“It must be connected,” she says, laughing. “Nobody’s ever said that. I think that’s funny and it may have some validity.” Maybe that’s something we should unpack in our next session.
Photos courtesy of Karen Shapiro
An Angry Letter From Big Chocolate
Among all of her retail product recreations, she’s only ever been served with one cease and desist letter, from chocolate behemoth Mars, Inc., in response to her oftrequested ceramic M&M’s. Once again, ex-husband and best-friend-for-life Neil swooped in to save the day: “He just wrote them, ‘No, she doesn’t have to sign anything. It’s kosher. She can do this.’ And they went away.” The suits at Mars didn’t know who they were dealing with.
Neil passed away a few years ago. But there’s a nice lesson here. If you financially support someone while they’re going through law school, you may be entitled to their legal services for the rest of their life. Says Shapiro, “He was a wonderful man.”
www.rakukaren.com
“If someone asks me for an artist statement, I send them a picture of me smoking with a ceramic match. I don’t do art speak, I find that to be nonsense.”
Photo by David Yager
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Photo by Kim Reierson
THE NOBILITY OF THE SWUNG HAMMER
by Jeff Wing
Most Construction Workers Are Nearing Retirement. TRADART is Trying to Bring New People Into the Field Before it Becomes a Big Problem.
The Search for a Master Leads to Mastery
Leslie Meadowcroft-Schipper arrived from Switzerland in search of a master. “I was being apprenticed in furniture restoration and conservation by a master in Geneva,” she says. “My teacher was part of a guild. Once in Santa Barbara, I discovered that there was an industrial arts track in the schools, so I started looking for a master in furniture restoration here to continue my apprenticeship.”
Meadowcroft-Schipper, a U.S. citizen, had been living in Geneva since 1964. Returning to the U.S. in 1997 with her two daughters, she thought she would continue formally pursuing excellence in her trade.
She began her search for a guild-level master the only way she knew how. “I walked into the Santa Barbara High School wood shop class assuming this also was how the local journeyperson connects to their master in California.” The good people at SBHS received Meadowcroft’s puzzling query with a polite collective stare. When MeadowcroftSchipper took a gander at the SBHS wood shop—a startling shambles—the situation became clear. “I asked, ‘Is there a guild here?’ ‘No, but we have the Santa Barbara Contractors Association.’”
Meadowcroft is a complex read. She speaks softly, her sentences clipped and functional. In conversation she fixes you with the wide, unblinking eyes of a naif. In pursuit of a goal she is a brakeless freight train. She contacted the Santa Barbara Contractors Association (SBCA) and the executive director suggested she come to their next meeting and speak. “I got up and I said, ‘My name is Leslie. Do you want to talk about a trade school?’”
by Nell Campbell
Leaving With the Instructions
From the Taj Mahal to a shotgun shack, all buildings have one startling thing in common: they all need to be built. This plain fact comes with some worrying baggage.
Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) in the U.S. is wrestling with a “labor challenge,” as it’s euphemistically described. In 2024, an estimated 11,000 construction workers retired every day. The boomers are
leaving. The National Center for Construction Education and Research projects that 41% of the current construction workforce will retire by 2031. In 2025 alone, U.S. construction needs to add some 439,000 workers to meet 2025’s projected demand. Tech-saturated young people are not rushing in to fill those roles and the situation has gone from worrisome to critical.
Photo
Tools for Schools
By the year 2000, Meadowcroft-Schipper founded the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization TRADART, dedicated to industry-driven public education in tradecraft and the cultural rebranding of “the trades” themselves. Her vision includes a public-school industrial arts renaissance with rigorous career technical training complementing an academic track: otherwise known as a trade school. “In Switzerland and much of Europe, the industrial arts are a dedicated, funded track offered from 13 to 18 years old,” says Meadowcroft-Schipper. “In the U.S. there’s no similar recognition of the nobility of this work. This is a passion; knowing how good the trades are, understanding the unique skills and life work of a tradesperson. It’s a space where you’re creative, and you’re building, and your great work is publicly visible. You’re giving to your community nonstop.”
Her husband is the pugnacious Frank Schipper; a storied local builder and onetime Dutch émigré whose eponymous construction outfit built much of what defines Santa Barbara today—the Sea Center, the New Vic, Marjorie Luke, Moby Dick Restaurant, the Glen Annie Clubhouse, the Zoo, Five-Points Shopping Center, and much more. Schipper once rancorously explained to me that when he was going to Santa Barbara High School in the mid-’fifties, “shop was for the kid who couldn’t handle algebra.” Thanks to TRADART, that’s changed.
The first step was plain triage. As Meadowcroft-Schipper began, many of the high school and junior high shops were in a state of ruin; scenes of detonation. To bootstrap a new mode of thinking about the trades—engaging the school district in the mission and justifying the cause’s worthiness—the public-school industrial arts programs would need burnishing.
At launch in 2000, TRADART gathered a gang of contractors and instructors. The long-neglected Santa Barbara High School shop was cleaned out, organized, and reborn as an actual center of learning.
“Frank Schipper and three of us gathered up as many construction people as possible, went into those shops and just tore them apart and put them back together,” says Don Gordon, VP of TRADART. Gordon is a retired contractor with the relaxed stride, tweed cap, and mischievous grin of an English pub regular. He is also a dogged, lifelong advocate for the vitalizing world of construction and the urgent need for young people to take the baton. A founding TRADART signatory, Gordon early on devised TRADART’s bellwether Tools for Schools program, which brings new machinery and supplies to the schools’ shops in a partially state-funded model that’s going stronger than ever today.
“Leslie spent a lot of time in Europe growing up, and she witnessed the respect that tradesmen get there,” Gordon
says. “Over here, there’s a lot of talk about people leaving construction. The average age in the construction sector is 45 or 50. All those guys are going to retire in 10 or 15 years, and young people going into the trades to replace them are just trickling in.” An emergency is afoot.
In 2013, the California Department of Education surprised everyone by rolling out the Career Technical Education (CTE) model. Agriculture, Engineering & Architecture, Manufacturing, Transportation, Construction, Tourism— the State of California threw its considerable weight behind bankable career education for young people as an interwoven element of college prep. Some 10,000 CTE courses provide the a-g units necessary for entrance into the UC college system. In fact, some 75% of high school CTE learners go on to university with a remunerative skill set already baked into their academic ascent. When Meadowcroft-Schipper TRADART was conscripted by the CA Dept. of Education to liaise with the Santa Barbara Unified School District for
Courtesy of TRADART
Photo by Kim Reierson
GROW COLUMN FROM ABOVE
implementation, all the pieces were in place. For the first time in years, construction insiders are today suffused with a growing optimism.
Doug Ford is CEO of DD Ford Construction and president of TRADART. “It’s been a long time coming. I always equate it to this big old ocean liner out there slowly turning. The last two years have seen real growth. The district continues to get a lot of funding now for career technical education.”
Students involved in the program still largely go on to attend university, but thanks to TRADART’s effective advocacy, the trades are rising in the public estimation as a desirable path; labor whose fruits stand for generations and can be pointed out from a passing car or arriving jumbo jet. “I built that.”
“I mean,” Ford says, “you’ll see at our awards show—it’s called The Big Show—how many parents show up now and are very supportive of their kids doing these projects. And once you get the parents turned, it’s a big deal. Enrollment
in our shop classes just continues to go up.”
Parents want their kids to be happy and prosperous adults. Don Gordon understands that. And there is this other thing. “I bring aboard a young person. In time, they excitedly run a construction job, then they leave and start their own company and become my competitor and kick my ass. That’s putting people on their paths, and I was able to do that.” Gordon shakes his head in what looks like mild wonder. “I mean, it was an honor to do that. You can’t put a price on it.”
Leslie Meadowcroft-Schipper's TRADART dream is coming to fruition, her beloved trades now a formalized track in pre-college academia. “It’s a national program now,” she says with a sudden smile. “We coincided with a national groundswell, it seems. Next stop is a public trade school. We’ll hold the place for it.” tradartfoundation.org
Photos by Nell Campbell
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MARKETING MAVEN A
Lindsey Carnett, Founder & CEO
AT
SUTTER
HEALTH, WOMEN IN MEDICINE AREN’T TRENDING.
THEY’VE ARRIVED.
Story by Jeff Wing
A ROUTINE CHECK-UP AT SANSUM CLINIC
– NOW PART OF SUTTER HEALTH
Sansum Clinic, now part of Sutter Health. Yes, this businesslike little phrase is about as thrilling as a freshly ironed lab coat. But what the utterance lacks in musicality it makes up for in energizing detail, signaling as it does a robust new wellness epoch on the Central Coast; one whose benefits we’re already feeling.
In 2023, Santa Barbara’s homegrown Sansum Clinic and Northern California-based Sutter Health joined hands (figuratively speaking). At the time of their nuptials, each of the newlyweds was a spry 102 years old, their consolidated knowledge base as powerful and illuminating as you please. The lovebirds’ combined age was also charmingly evident in the quaint teal-and-white balloon towers the occasion produced. Ahem. Then in October 2024, the Sansum and Sutter union celebrated its one-year anniversary. Given the medical space’s historic association with forms and clipboards, we may assume the traditional 1st anniversary gift theme—paper—was blushingly exchanged in triplicate.
The marshaling of resources and pooled expertise is already reframing the region’s wellness ecosystem.
“Every Wednesday at noon,” says fellowship-trained breast radiologist Winnie Leung, MD, “we all meet to talk about breast cancer cases that deserve extra attention. That would be me, the radiologist, the pathologist, the radiation oncologist, and the medical oncologist. Sometimes we have a plastic surgeon present. Many times we’ll have a geneticist, a genetic counselor, and patient navigators, who provide clinical support thanks to funding from the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara. The patient who’s receiving our individual care is really getting expertise and opinions from multiple different specialties. I don’t know if the average person recognizes this.”
(left to right) Colorectal surgeon Dr. Cristina Harnsberger, OB/GYN Dr. Meghan Wallman, dermatologist Dr. Jessica Sprague, Medical Director Dr. Marjorie Newman, orthopedics nurse practitioner Joy Buechler, urologist Dr. Ericka Sohlberg, breast radiologist Dr. Winifred Leung.
“Ultimately, I did pursue a career in medicine. But surgery was not something that I knew I would love...”
– Cristina Harnsberger,
MD
Sansum Clinic, now part of Sutter Health may read like a conventioneer’s lanyard—a complete rebrand is being developed behind the scenes, we’re assured—but is in fact a swinging change agent making inroads.
Over the past several years, access to a Sansum primary care physician is known to have occasionally been… sluggish. Since the Sansum/Sutter union, 50 physicians and advanced practice clinicians have been welcomed aboard, with the result that new patients can now be seen in primary care within two weeks. On another front, urgent care services are now available with extended evening and weekend hours, and with no appointment needed. Also on offer: cutting-edge medical hardware of the sort that would make even Star Trek’s Dr. McCoy stare and stammer.
Foothill Surgery Center is one of the first outpatient surgery centers in the country to acquire and make use of the Intuitive da Vinci 5®, not an autonomous bot, but an elaborate tool operated by a highly-trained surgeon. The machine makes possible the extremely minute manipulations essential to certain delicate micro-surgeries, and a fatigue-free working posture that lets the surgeon focus—in undistracting comfort—over long stretches of time. The da Vinci 5®’s “minimally invasive” approach means that certain procedures once characterized by large and recovery-lengthening incisions can now be performed through a demure little opening the size of a dime.
A community’s dynamic wellness delivery “system” will be the sum of its successful human connections. The flesh and blood frontline physician and her patient are navigating a shared journey, one in which the doctor may rightly be regarded as both healer and fellow traveler. Dispassionate clinical expertise has its place in modern medicine, but will not make an appearance in today’s trio of conversations.
Healing, in both the passive and active sense, is a creative act. Offered as evidence: three ringingly human physician/specialists working under the auspices of (wait for it) Sansum Clinic, now part of Sutter Health articulate their collective elation with the work. As can happen in these exchanges, the interviewer learned that the interviewees are a lot like him, only brilliant and skilled.
CRISTINA HARNSBERGER, MD – COLORECTAL SURGERY
“Colorectal surgeons are a happy and wonderful group!” This sort of hollered public pronouncement has been known to have a dampening effect on dinner parties; to say nothing of Dr. Cristina Harnsberger’s almost startlingly cheery delivery of the line this afternoon. And what makes the doctor’s colorectal cohort so reportedly delightful? Common cause amid a politely appalled public, for one. “You have to have a little bit of a sense of humor,” Harnsberger says with a grin.
On the other hand, one can scarcely take a vocation more seriously than by pursuing its educational zenith— the deepened, capstone expertise inherent in Dr. Harnsberger’s fellowship training. She is one of the best of the best. Today, she’s walked briskly from surgery straight into this interview, where her conspicuously glowing demeanor suggests her work pleases her immensely.
Dr. Harnsberger’s grinning luminosity is a terrific counterpoint to the public’s generalized colonic aversion. The juxtaposition is striking. Fact: the cultural unease around this particular surgical mastery can manifest as groaningly sophomoric; an occupational hazard the doctor has long since accepted. “Yes, there are the jokes,” she tactfully understates. “Patients ask me, ‘Why did you choose this field?’
You know, ‘I was at the bottom of my class.’”
“I always loved science, and this is due to my parents,” she says. “They both majored in marine biology at UCSB. They instilled in us a love of science and an appreciation for how the human body is designed. But as a high school student, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I was involved in various leadership roles. I was class president, which was a silly thing to do.” She laughs lightly. “Now I have to plan a reunion every 10 years for the rest of my life.”
In fits and starts, Cristina found her way forward.
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“Eventually, I had a mentor in our community, a primary care physician, Dr. Danson, who let me shadow him. Ultimately, I did pursue a career in medicine. But surgery was not something that I knew I would love.”
It was during her 4th year med school rotations she discovered her love of surgery itself. “During residency I fell in love with colon and rectal surgery, and I had incredible mentors at UC San Diego. Following that, my fellowship training at the University of Massachusetts was just excellent.”
What makes a great physician? To some degree it comes down to that Venn overlap of the lavish skill set and a heartfelt, ever-deepening enthusiasm. I’ll add here that Dr. Harnsberger’s resting facial expression is an ongoing smile. “I really don’t get bored with the job, especially in the operating room,” she says. “We’ve seen new technologies and new treatments coming for rectal cancer, specifically these new chemotherapy agents called immunotherapy. We are in some cases actually not taking out the rectum in patients with rectal cancer because the treatment that we give before surgery seems to allow the tumor to go away completely.” Dr. Harnsberger’s smile here is not of the “professionally encouraging” variety, but sudden and unguarded. “There’s always room for hope.”
Was medicine Cristina Harnsberger’s destiny? Someone thought so. “I was the recipient of a scholarship from an anonymous donor through the BP Foundation and the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, which paid for
“Being an OB/GYN allows me to do all these things that I love, even while establishing relationships with patients.”
– Meghan Wallman, MD
my medical school,” she says, as avidly as if it happened last week and not three decades ago. “This just speaks to the generosity of our community. And I don’t know who it was, but I’m so grateful. And to get to come back and serve this community that has given so much to me is really… It’s an honor and it’s a privilege. And I love it.”
MEGHAN WALLMAN, MD, FACOG – OBSTETRICS/GYNECOLOGY
Meghan Wallman came to medicine in the usual way. “I was out of college and looking at a lot of options,” she says. “But I’d grown up always interested in science. I was always hovering around medicine. When I graduated college I worked in a virology lab, then I started volunteering in hospitals. Working in an emergency room in San Diego was the turning point where I thought ‘...this is something I really want to do.’” And when it ultimately came to her training, how did obstetrics emerge as her preferred field from that larger possibility space?
“When I was going through medical school, there were so many things I enjoyed about medicine and about surgery. I really liked emergency medicine, but there was no patient continuity. That was hard.”
In the course of Meghan’s search for the right medical field, it became clear that it was indeed the continuity of care element that made obstetrics all but tailor-made for her. “I so enjoyed working with and for pregnant women, and I also enjoyed watching people over time,” she says. “Being an OB/GYN allows me to do all these things that I love and find interesting, even while establishing relationships with patients. We walk through these phases of life together. Often I get to see their kids grow.” Dr. Wallman’s facial expression says it all. She also points out that her work is many-faceted, and just as often draws on her emotional resolve.
“There are definitely some hard parts of OB/GYN that I think people don’t always realize. They think ‘…you get to deliver babies! Isn’t that the best?’ And of course it is! But I’m there for people throughout all of it. A new patient may not know me at all, and of course this is one of the biggest moments of their lives. I really do just try to be present for every patient, just try to be there in that moment with them as much as I can.”
Dr. Wallman takes particular pleasure in demystifying medicine for those in her care. “I love educating my patients on what’s happening to their body, or why something that’s happening is actually okay. So I get to try to make the whole process more accessible to them, so it’s not just a bunch of scary-sounding medical jargon.”
Childbirth is often thought of as the core domain of
the OB/GYN, but they’re also ongoing accompaniment through an unfamiliar and even frightening landscape. “Oftentimes, we’re the first provider a young woman sees after leaving her pediatrician. So that can mean the teenage years—from problems with their period, or pain, or birth control—all these things. Obviously, we take care of pregnant women, and that is typically wonderful. We’re there for the joys, but we’re also there for the hard times.”
The overused noun “journey” is made genuine in the constantly changing OB/GYN terrain.
“As we transition out of the pregnancy world, we’re still alongside women as they go through other life changes. We’re still doing a lot of preventative care, but as problems arise we take care of them through menopause, and try to reduce their risk from various cancers…”
An OB/GYN’s depth of field makes it easy to gloss over what is popularly known, rightly so, as The Miracle of Childbirth. Being immersed in the work hasn’t diminished Dr. Wallman’s awe. “Every delivery,” she says quietly, “I always say they’re all happy birthdays. Every time that baby comes out, you feel it.”
WINIFRED LEUNG, MD – BREAST RADIOLOGIST
Some of us arrive “Home” by an unexpected route. “I was a complete liberal arts kid,” says Dr. Winifred Leung, and nearly laughs aloud as she says it. “I was a philosophy major and a studio art minor! But I met this great
mentor. She did a Women in Science project for undergraduates at Dartmouth, and she took me under her wing.” Dr. Leung had her undergrad epiphany and hasn’t looked back.
“So I trained to be a radiologist, and then I did a subspecialty in breast. And then, since joining Sansum, Ridley-Tree Cancer Center, and now Sutter, I’ve had the privilege of only practicing in my subspecialty. There are not that many people in the world who do this.”
And what is it about breast radiology that compelled Dr. Leung to subspecialize? “As I was going through radiology, I didn’t want to sit in a dark room and read images. I wanted to go out there and chat with my patients, meet them, do procedures, and have interactions. So that’s pretty much my day. I’ll spend a portion of it, yes, sitting in a dark room interpreting images. But about every 15 to 20 minutes or so, I’m getting up to meet someone, to talk to them about a problem, to address their concerns, to do a procedure, or to call a patient with her results.”
It is not hyperbole to describe Dr. Leung as quietly joyous as she discusses her career arc and the nourishing rigors of interpersonal support. “It’s not always easy, but I would say that’s definitely the best part. I mean, you’re walking with someone through a very vulnerable time, and yeah, it’s really taught me a lot. I’ve been very, very privileged to be a part of that.”
Dr. Leung’s choice to focus on her specific subspecialty has made her career an ongoing deep dive into the advancing frontiers of breast imaging. However nuanced and complex these evolving methodologies are, the “radio” in radiology continues to raise understandable but unnecessary flags.
“I do get a lot of radiation phobia from patients who are like, ‘I don’t want a mammogram because there’s radiation, and isn’t radiation bad?’ The bottom line is the amount of radiation that we get from a mammogram is minuscule. We all live with background radiation from radon, from our homes, in the food we eat. These little bits of radiation are just part of our normal environment.” She smiles and reconnoiters.
“I don’t want breast imaging to be scary. We’re doing this so that women can stay healthy and live their fullest lives.” To that end, Dr. Leung is on the team involved in the forthcoming High-Risk Breast Clinic at Ridley-Tree Cancer Center. Stay tuned.
It’s really about people and being in their company. “We get to meet such interesting women from all walks of life,” Dr. Leung marvels. “I have a particular soft spot for older ladies who just have so much wisdom to impart, and such humor, and it’s great.”
“I don’t want breast imaging to be scary. We’re doing this so that women can stay healthy and live their fullest lives.”
– Winnie Leung, MD
IN THE
Story by Heidi Clements
Photos by Kim Reierson
CLOSET WITH Q N I N A
Redefining Coastal Style and Turning Heads at Pavilions
T“he closet, to me, is so much more than where my clothes live. It’s where my heritage lives.”
Nina Belesario Quiros Hardie is every girl’s coolest girlfriend. A joyful cyclone of blonde curls, cool outfits, and bawdy attitude. Known around Montecito simply as “Nina Q,” she doesn’t just get dressed; she puts on a show. The wardrobe department is courtesy of her enviable dressing room. Imagine vintage Gucci gowns cozied up next to a collection of rap and ‘90s band tees, Chanel bags mingling with electric blue cowboy boots—an homage to her Houston, Texas, roots. Nina’s closet is a mix of vintage and trendy; a world where history, hip, and haute couture collide.
“My life happened in the closet,” she says. The dressing room was the center of every house she grew up in. “My Grandma Meme would make a cozy bed on the floor for me, and I’d stare up at all that magic floating around.” It’s a lifestyle that Nina’s mother also adopted. “I remember every closet in every house I grew up in and how it was all organized. We did everything in my mother’s closet. We’d gossip, argue, laugh, talk about boys, all while trying on clothes. My mother would sit at her dressing table, smoking a cigarette, landline pressed to her ear, TV buzzing in the background. It was magic.”
The concept of the female dressing room has been around since 18th-century France when getting dressed first became a full-blown performance. Ladies would drape themselves across a chaise and nibble cake while someone fluffed their hair or cinched their waist. Picture Marie Antoinette running an empire from her dressing room. It was the creative center of the castle; an old school She Shed. Fast forward a few hundred years and this wife and mother of two has turned being a closet case into a career as Montecito’s style whisperer and go-to gala girl. “I had one client who took me under her wing and introduced me to a lot of people. One thing led to another. It’s
“ You deserve to look fabulous picking up your oat milk. ”
a gala environment, if you will, and we all love a theme. From Lotusland to the Red Feather Ball, or the Zoofari Ball—it was a world that spoke to me so deeply.”
Nina Q doesn’t just style you—she wants what you’re wearing to tell a story. A philosophy that helped her name her business, The Story SB. “Vintage clothing has a history,” she says. “Who made it? What parties did it go to? Why was it made a certain way in a certain decade? What fabrics were introduced then and why? Did it have social or political implications?”
Even her studio/office is a large-scale dressing room. Racks upon racks of stories whispering to each other waiting for their moment in the style sunshine.
Now Nina has taken this passion one step further, helping local brands like Hammies and The Office of Angela Scott refresh their aesthetic— bringing “cool girl” energy to Central California’s neutral-on-neutral scene. She is a rebranding specialist ready to tackle any brand. “Like the Lilly Pulitzer shoot I just did. Yes, the clothing was born out of a lemonade stand, but the story behind that is female empowerment. The ultimate boss girl.” Nina’s philosophy when
it comes to rebranding: you have to show people how to wear your clothes. Yes, you need to stay true to your aesthetic, but if you don’t teach people how to wear your product they’re not going to get it.”
I’ve had the opportunity to watch Nina work—her brain flipping through an invisible Rolodex of ideas while she sizes up a model and skims through the many racks of vintage items she has at her fingertips. It’s a well-choreographed dance but there’s always a “what if we tried this” moment adding a giddy dizzying feeling to her work. Nothing is sacred. Everything is fun.
It’s an attitude that translates to how she dresses herself. If you run into Nina at Pavilions she won’t be in sweatpants. This is style sacrilege to her. “Wear the outfit to the grocery store. Feel amazing picking up your kids. You don’t need somewhere to go to look good. Just wear the damn clothes already!” While Coco Chanel urged women to take one thing off before they left the house, Nina Q is a maximalist with a manifesto:
• Throw out your yoga pants.
(“The death of fashion.”)
• Find your style by starting with one item you love.
(“Pinterest is your friend.”)
• Confidence is everything.
(“Fashion without confidence is just fabric.”)
• Ignore age rules.
(“There’s no handbook that says you can’t wear miniskirts at 50.”)
• Dress up for yourself, not an event.
(“You deserve to look fabulous picking up your oat milk.”)
What’s next for Nina Q? Designing her own line, of course—one that reimagines old pieces into wearable works of art.
“My motto?” Nina grins. “Make weird cool again.”
Trust me, she’s doing it.
“ Vintage clothing has a history. Who made it? What parties did it go to? ”
- HOUSE OF BRANDING -
PRINCETON north
MASTER OF WINE, MISTRESS BEHIND THE COUNTER
by Jonathan Cristaldi
by
Amy Christine Pours the Truth About Tasting Rooms, Rock Stars, and Industry Discounts in Los Olivos
It’s hard to become a Master of Wine, just as it’s hard to become an astronaut. Aside from writing a research paper—the wine world equivalent of a doctoral thesis—a candidate must also taste 36 wines, and without knowing anything about them, assess the grape variety, the region where they’re grown, and how it was made—all
by sight, smell, and taste. I doubt there are any astronauts who can pull that off, but Amy Christine did.
On a sunny afternoon, I go to the Holus Bolus tasting room in Los Olivos sipping wine and making sarcastic air quotes: “Just another Master of Wine working her own tasting room.” Amy Christine MW, one of just
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Troy Blendell
“Just another Master of Wine working her own tasting room.”
154 women to ever earn the title—and one of 25 in the United States—is pouring flights and wrangling guests like a seasoned pro. She’s a unicorn in hiking boots, and I’m about to get drunk with her.
Indeed, here we go. Good reader, let me tell you about winemaker, tasting room host, actor, Prince superfan, cancer survivor, former auto show model, and certified Master of Wine, Amy Christine. Hold your applause, just throw money.
Along with her husband, winemaker Peter Hunken, formerly of Stolpman (“We met spitting over the drains at the winery, I wrote a suggestive thank you note—the
rest is history,” Amy tells me), she helms a constellation of labels: Holus Bolus, Hocus Pocus, Genuine Risk, Amy & Peter Made This, The Joy Fantastic, and yes—Wineslut.
“Let’s be honest,” she says. “You only want to know about Wineslut.”
She’s right. I had been eyeing it since stumbling into the tasting room. It’s a real label and a cheeky rebranding of her Master of Wine title (as she puts it, both refer to “someone who drinks too much wine”). It’s also a real unaired sitcom—Amy filmed a 20-minute pilot about the eccentricities of her winemaking enterprise. She’s adapting it into a novel. “It’s the millions-making version
Courtesy of Amy Christine
“I convinced Peter to name the vineyard The Joy Fantastic. Most people think my name is Joy and that I’m really into myself. Neither of those things are true.”
of the sitcom that never aired.”
The Holus Bolus wine label’s been around for two decades, but the tasting room opened in 2019. The vibe inside? Mid-century chill. “Like Don Draper with a tall glass of brown liquid,” as Amy describes it. “Justin Hartley came in
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once. I didn’t know who he was because he hadn’t been on Below Deck. He bought a case, gave me a $100 tip, and all the women in the room started screaming after he left.” Dave Grohl’s a repeat customer. “He drums on everything. Fingers, legs, counters. It’s charming. Also, he loves Prince, so he’s a hero.”
Amy and Peter also planted a vineyard, which began producing fruit in 2016—the same year Prince died. “Close to the worst thing that’s ever happened to me,” she says. “I convinced Peter to name the vineyard The Joy Fantastic. Most people think my name is Joy and that I’m really into myself. Neither of those things is true.”
I figure Amy has opinions on the best bars and restaurants from Los Alamos to Montecito, or the best hikes or walks in the region, maybe the kind of winery experience even
a Master of Wine might find enthralling. I ask about all these things in one jumbled, Pinot Noir-soused question.
“Come on now, Jonathan,” she barks, “I run a winery with just me and my husband and a couple of part-time employees in the tasting room. I’m writing a novel. I cook three meals a day so my husband won’t divorce me. I have no time for whatever this thing called ‘hiking’ is.”
Sure, okay, I get that. This doesn’t keep her from making time to recreate on Instagram the glorious, unfiltered absurdity of the tasting room life with deadpan humour and a lot of heart.
“Listen,” she says, “I’ve had cancer two to four times, depending on how you count. You’d think that would make me chill out. It hasn’t. If I get underwear with a sewn-in tag, I flip out. Why should I spend any part of
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my day cutting out tags or worrying about how much alcohol other people drink or don’t drink? If people want a real experience, with real wines, made honestly, with real intention, that are delicious and that make them happy, they’ll find their way to us. We’re listed on Google Maps.”
Funny. Google Maps is how I first found them. I was with my wife’s cousins at a crummy winery outside of Buellton, desperate for a glass of something really good. We were all headed to Los Olivos and the group wanted to go to Dragonette or Liquid Farm—both places I love more than 600 bottles of Napa Cabernet (it’s true, don’t tell anyone, please). I pulled up Google Maps and searched for wineries near those two. There it was: Holus Bolus & The Joy Fantastic—I’d interviewed the winemakers years ago for an article about native yeast fermentation. I figured they would remember me as a sharp journalist who wrote glowing words about them, and they would welcome me in with open arms and pour fountains of killer Pinot and Chardonnay without charging me a tasting fee. It was going to be fabulous.
We arrived at Holus Bolus and it was closed. Maybe that day it was for the best because today she schools me
She’s a unicorn in hiking boots, and I’m about to get drunk with her.
on the scourge of wine tasting rooms.
“The most challenging thing about owning a small wine brand is making money,” she says, sobering me up. “Everyone wants a discount: industry, students, military, bloggers, vloggers, loggers, old people, young people, smart people, dumb people.” (No, I didn’t mention my plan to show up unannounced and demand free pours; she continues): “The best thing you can do as a consumer is not ask for a discount. I promise you, no one is getting rich here. That’s what sitcoms are for, and we all know how that turned out for me. The tasting room is a very lovely thing. It’s warm, and the people are nice, mostly, and I get to talk a lot, which, if this interview is any indication, I clearly love to do, and the margins are way better than wholesale.” After a pause and refilling our glasses, she adds, “The best thing about all of it is working with my husband.”
Several of Amy and Peter’s wines, Holus Bolus et al., can also be found closer to the coast in Meritage Wine Market and on the menus at The Lark, bouchon, and Clark’s Oyster Bar.
@amys_tasting_room_diaries
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A PERFECTLY SCANDAL-FREE SEA EXCURSION
by Bill Robens
My Wife and I Chartered a Yacht Off the Santa Barbara Coast and All We Got Was a Wonderful Time
Thomas Ince was at the top of the world in 1924. The head of his own major studio, the father of the Western had produced over 800 films and reached the zenith of the movie business where nothing could stand in his way. Nothing, that is, until he was invited onto… a yacht. His ensuing murder at the hands of a jealous William Randolph Hearst is Hollywood legend. And, like a lot of events that take place on yachts, it never happened. Other infamous yacht-based tragedies include the mysterious demise of Natalie Wood off Catalina Island, the death of Gary Hart’s presidential aspirations, Robert Maxwell (father of Ghislaine) and his final nude swim near the Canary Islands, that memorable moment in The White Lotus season two, and… whatever that was during The White Lotus season three. The “Yacht Murder Mystery” is such a prominent genre in literature and film, there are companies that offer murder-themed yacht excursions.
My wife, Lynn, and I are here to tour the Santa Barbara coast on a chartered yacht and intrigue is not on the itinerary. Or is it? It’s just us, the crew, and a dozen strangers embarking on a cruise to an unknown destination. Could it be possible that we all share a common acquaintance bent on revenge? Am I disappointed that the next three hours are spent sipping champagne and engaging in pleasant conversation while sea lions frolic below?
“The gyro stabilizer is my new favorite thing. I’ve never had more fun watching a yacht not sway in the water.”
Turns out, yacht excursions are, for the most part, murder-free. “Sunset cruises are really popular right now,” says captain and founder of M Group Yacht Services, Ron Mendoza, who deftly maneuvers the 65-foot motor yacht, The Real Deal, out of the harbor. “It’s a great way to see Santa Barbara.”
Mendoza speaks the truth. It is a gorgeous afternoon. Sunny and calm, the Santa Ynez Mountains fade into the distance as we work our way south. Far removed from
the hustle and bustle of Santa Barbara (what little there is of it), instead of getting to the bottom of an Agatha Christie-like predicament, my wife and I have a grand time chatting with the other passengers. Strange how imbibing sparkling wine and taking in exquisite scenery while lounging on a luxurious yacht puts people in a festive mood.
Lynn is peppering Ron with questions. She’s a natural at sea having spent much of her teenage years sailing with family and friends on
the Chesapeake. I’m disadvantaged in that regard. My Navy officer dad suffered from chronic seasickness, so I’m more landlubber than my better half. Lynn quickly learns that this is nothing like the sailing yachts she grew up with. Ron explains, “This boat is for, you know, doing almost anything. It’s built for offshore, it has the gyro stabilizers and the fin stabilizers. And that helps with the comfort.”
The gyro stabilizer is my new favorite thing. There’s an enormous ball
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“Strange how imbibing sparkling wine and taking in exquisite scenery while lounging on a luxurious yacht puts people in a festive mood.”
spinning furiously beneath us at all times. I’ve never had more fun watching a yacht not sway in the water. Do they make gyro stabilizers for babies? For people who’ve had too much to drink? My mind races with possibility. Beyond sunset cruises and fishing expeditions, this is a versatile craft for countless other experiences. She can take you out to the islands for kayaking, hiking, or whatever you can imagine doing on the islands. Board games. The aforementioned White Lotus. You do you.
“It’s customized,” says Ron, elaborating, “I like to have a conversation with the client. I want to know their perfect trip on the water.” They have other yachts, seasonal yachts to suit the customer’s needs. While I’m disappointed in the dearth of salacious yacht lore, I have to admit I’m delighted with the accommodations. In addition to the teak and birdseye maple-adorned interiors, our yachting adventure is further enhanced by Chef Colleen Hurley Elliot’s scrumptious appetizers and Partnership Di-
rector Shannon Eminhizer’s attentiveness. Customization is the theme and, personally, I feel quite customized. If not downright bespoke. Alas, murder and scandal play no role in our yacht expedition. Maybe next time. Watching pelicans cruising overhead and the waves of the Pacific sparkling below, I have to content myself only with the paradise that is the Santa Barbara coast. Apologies to Thomas Ince.
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GILDED GETAWAYS
SLOW AND STEADY —AND SENSATIONAL
by Gabe Saglie
Luxury Barge Cruising Through Burgundy
There may be no slower way to travel than by barge, but that’s the whole point.
The slow tourism movement is having its moment in the sun, seeing its fan base grow as a legit recalibration of the way we experience a destination. It encourages travelers to reject rushed itineraries, toss sightseeing checklists, and eschew superficial interactions. In their place, a more mindful and immersive approach to exploring the world. Like the slow food movement that inspired it, those who embrace slow
travel savor each moment, connecting with the people they meet and places they visit.
A barge is the slow travel answer to a cruise, a deliberately decelerated floating hotel. It’s become especially popular throughout Europe, where networks of man-made canals abound. Before modern roads and railways, they were purely utilitarian, of course, essential for the transport of heavy goods to remote villages and pivotal for flood prevention where the land was below sea level.
European Waterways invited the Montecito Journal to cruise by barge across the Canal de Bourgogne, the historic waterway built at the turn of the 19th century that meanders for 150 miles across Burgundy wine country. They’re considered the largest luxury hotel barge company in Europe, operating since the early ‘80s. Its fleet of 18 vessels, accommodating between just six and 20 passengers, offer canal cruises in places like Italy, Scotland, and Germany. Their most in-demand destination, though, is France, with insectaries through Campagne, Bordeaux, Alsace, Languedoc, and Burgundy.
The Pickup
The seven-day cruise took place in early May, at the beginning of a barge cruising season that usually runs through October. Six couples—strangers at the onset, friends in the end—were picked up at the Hôtel Westminster, near the iconic Place Vendôme square in Paris, and whisked away by luxury van on a three-hour drive
Aegean Heritage
Villa Caryatids offers luxury accommodations on the Greek island of Patmos, positioned on the medieval hilltop of Chora directly below The Monastery of St John the Theologian. The property has been designed and furnished by John Stefanidis, the Egyptian-born, London-based AD100 interior designer known as the creator of “The Patmos Style,” and was featured in Architectural Digest in both 1992 and 2020.
The private villa commands an entire city block and features five ensuite bedrooms, each furnished with Stefanidis’ proprietary furniture designs and fabrics. Recent renovations include a modern kitchen on the upper level, fully equipped for contemporary needs, with convenient access to private outdoor seating areas. The property offers three spectacular viewing terraces with panoramic views south over the roofs of Chora to the islands of Icaria, Mykonos, Naxos, Amorgos, and Astypalea.
Chora represents one of the few Greek settlements that have evolved uninterruptedly since the 12th century, with the nearby Apocalyptic Cave marking where St John received his vision recorded in the Book of Revelations. Local residents Mr. Ioannis Kalogiannis and Ms. Maria Barbare provide on-island services including transportation, dining arrangements, and household management. The villa operates on a weekly rental basis with minimum 15-day stays, accessible by ferry from Athens, flights to nearby islands, or private helicopter and yacht.
to their launch point, the charming, ancient village of Fleurey-sur-Ouche.
“Ouche” features prominently, appearing in the names of various stops. It refers to the River Ouche, which snakes through the Côte-d’Or region of Burgundy and connects to larger tributaries. The Burgundy Canal moves barges, ever so slowly, across the Ouche Valley, a quiet expanse mostly covered by forest, dotted with limestone cliffs, wooded hills, and vineyards across the Côte-d’Or’s wine growing areas, Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune. On the final day, guests are chauffeured back to Paris, with an early afternoon drop-off back at the Hôtel Westminster.
Between Fleurey-sur-Ouche and the cruise’s final stop, the peaceful hamlet of Escommes, the luxe barge, L’Impressionniste, will leisurely cover 20 miles of the Canal de Bourgogne in seven days.
The Barge
The group boards the luxury barge, L’Impressionniste, welcomed by a dapperly dressed crew of six. These are hospitality pros and on this occasion, most of the crew is working together for the first time.
At the helm is Captain Arnault Poussin, a 20-year veteran of European Waterways and consummate host. He manages the crew, keeps tabs on schedules, and plays tour guide during the week’s curated stops. In the off-season, during winter, he hosts skiers at the posh Les Trois Vallées in the French Alps, considered the largest interconnected ski terrain in the world.
The chef becomes a favorite crew member quickly; he sources fresh oysters and bubbles for the welcome reception and wows the cruisers with stunning multicourse meals. Remarkably, Chef Josh Harvey is only 22, with an off-the-barge résumé that includes the French Alps, Greece, and a Michelin star already under his belt.
The passengers meet the rest of the crew: Julianna, a Brazilian native, and Damir, from Croatia, are the hosts in charge of daily housekeeping and table setting; Silvio, the pilot, and Aubin, the deckhand, prepped L’Impressionniste for the months on the canal to come, including giving her touches of paint.
L’Impressionniste is a beautiful vessel stretching 126 feet. She’s elegant, with exterior colors of white and marine blue, with red accents. Two frontward decks, shaded by a retractable awning, provide tables, chairs, and loungers, as well as several cruiser bikes, and a hot tub revved up upon request. Inside, a full bar and lounge area give way to the dining room; the table is set for each meal with fine china and cloth serviettes of alternating hues.
The six cabins, four staterooms and two junior suites, are configured with twin or queen beds, plush and cozy with ample room for two. The en-suite bathrooms feature a wide range of L’Occitane products.
L’Impressionniste has a top speed of nine miles per hour. Slowing things down even further are the locks that she’ll encounter every kilometer or so. These are, essentially, elevators barely wider than the width of the barge designed to raise the vessel between different water levels along the canal. Crossing them takes about 12 minutes.
Guests are welcome to take advantage of the stop at each lock to disembark and climb back on board at their leisure. Following a rustic towpath hugging the canal, guests can log several thousand steps a day, or borrow bikes and pedal ahead on the quiet country roads through rustic medieval villages.
The Stops
Barge travel allows cruisers to enjoy both the journey and the destination, a testament to its ability to reach quaint locations that larger vessels cannot.
At La Bussière-sur-Ouche, with its 11th-century abbey and population of about 150 people, a few intrepid early risers join Captain Arnault into the village.
Mountain Sanctuary
The Ashram offers wellness retreats focused on physical activity, healthy eating, and connection to nature. Founded over 50 years ago by Swedish wellness pioneers Catharina Hedberg and Anne-Marie Bennström, their approach centers on a simple but effective formula that has attracted wellness seekers for decades.
Their weeklong programs combine scenic mountain hikes, fitness sessions, yoga, massage, and plantbased meals in a structured daily routine. Located in the Santa Monica Mountains above Malibu, the retreat utilizes the natural landscape for outdoor activities and hiking excursions that form the core of the experience.
The program operates on a residential basis, with guests staying on-site throughout their week-long retreat. The Ashram's location provides both proximity to Los Angeles and the seclusion of mountain terrain, offering an intensive wellness experience that emphasizes physical challenge and renewal. This combination of structured programming and natural setting has established the retreat as a destination for those seeking focused wellness immersion in Southern California's mountain environment.
www.theashram.com
Warm baguettes and pastries are procured from the local boulangerie, Ronde des Pains. The group can meet Chef Josh in Dijon at the town’s buzzing harvest market. The fresh produce, meats, and cheeses from local farms will grace the dinner table back on L’Impressionniste later that night.
At Sainte-Marie-sur-Ouche, the cruisers again board minivans and drive past fields of vines on the way to Clos de Vougeot. The 900-year-old château houses medieval wine vats and wine presses. The tasting of local Burgundian wines inside an ancient underground cellar is an exclusive experience.
Anchoring at the village of Pont d’Ouche means a day trip to Beaune, known as the wine capital of Burgundy. The walled city’s architecture spans from Gothic through Renaissance to contemporary.
Making port at Vandenesse means a visit to Château de Commarin—under the same family for almost a thousand years—for a hands-on falconry session. But it’s the short drive to the picture book medieval village of Châteauneuf-en-Auxois that really wows with its breathtaking views of the Ouche Valley.
The Food
The gastronomy may well be the most impressive element of this all-inclusive barge experience. Seeing what the chef scribbles on the small chalkboard by the dinner table sends a wave of enthusiastic anticipation across the passengers every time.
The breakfast spread of baked goods, yogurts, and fruits are accented by made-to-order specialties, like egg dishes and crêpes. Lunches and dinners always feature multiple courses—a trio of regional cheeses before dessert is standard—and each course is paired with a regional wine.
The menus are a testament to the young gourmand who’s turned the petite kitchenette into a veritable artist’s studio. Chef Josh’s plating is stunning, and the flavors are remarkable. Just a few meals in, and his Michelin star makes a whole lot of sense.
The Premium Experience
Luxurious touches prevail aboard L’Impressionniste and the curated moments along the way elevate the experience further. For solo travelers, European Waterways is waiving single supplement fees on select 2025 luxury hotel barge cruises in France, Italy, and Scotland, including several aboard L’Impressionniste.
Find out more at europeanwaterways.com.
Wine Country Luxury
The Inn at Mattei's Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection, offers luxury accommodations and experiences in the heart of Santa Ynez Valley wine country. Their focus lies in providing personalized stays that showcase the charm, heritage, culture, and natural beauty of this Central Coast destination.
From its origins in 1886 as a stagecoach stop to its years as a Prohibition-era gathering place, this historic landmark has served travelers for generations. Now operating as a luxury hotel in Los Olivos, they provide dining at The Tavern restaurant featuring Executive Chef Kevin Malone's California ranch-inspired cuisine, and wellness treatments at the Lavender Barn spa with its treatment rooms, pools, sauna, and steam room.
Accommodations feature cottage-style rooms with exposed wooden beams and period details, set among palm trees and gardens. Los Olivos itself is a charming village of just 2.5 square miles, home to renowned wineries like Stolpman Vineyards, boutique tasting rooms, and farm-to-table restaurants. The walkable town center offers art galleries, specialty shops, and cafes, all easily accessible from the Inn. This bucolic wine country setting provides both vineyard exploration and small-town atmosphere, positioned thirty miles from Santa Barbara in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley.
aubergeresorts.com/matteistavern
Après Tout
by Gabe Saglie
If European Waterways is the biggest player in the world of luxury European barge cruising, then Après Tout is one of the smallest. Rory and Caroline Macrae, hospitality pros who moved to France in the early ‘90s and now live in La Bussière-sur-Ouche along the Burgundy Canal, purchased the 125-foot barge in 2011. They lead small groups— the Après Tout only holds six passengers—across Burgundy, Beaujolais, and Alsace.
“We get lots of returning passengers,” says Mrs. Macrae. “This week, the passengers are on their fourth cruise, last week’s group, it was their sixth, and next month, a group is on their seventh! The canals and rivers are charming, and passengers love the small numbers on board.”
Those small numbers allow for plenty of personalization along the way. In Burgundy, they visit local truffle producers and offer to procure Citroën 2CV autos to cruise through the vineyards. “They can cost a lot of money, but we think they are worth it for the fun!” says Mrs. Macrae.
In Alsace, there are visits with glass blowers and brewers. In Beaujolais, there are horse-and-cart rides through the hills. Bike tours can be arranged across the Après Tout itineraries.
The Après Tout is booked for the next several years, so reservations are currently available for the 2028 season.
Santa Barbara Airbus offers a refined and relaxing way to begin and end your journey. With multiple daily departures, generous legroom, and attentive service, our team ensures seamless travel from locaions near Montecito and surrounding areas to LAX.
Convenient pickup locations in Goleta, Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, and Camarillo.
Private Charter Services
Tailored Transportation for Weddings, Events, and Group Travel.
Elevate your next event with a private charter experience that’s punctual, professional, and personalized. From private party parking shuttles to weddings, group travel, and corporate events, we customize every trip to your needs.
Custom Itineraries | Comfortable Fleet Exceptional Service
This Hospital’s for the Birds
Story and Photographs by Lynn P. Kirst
Having trouble coping? Dealing with a broken keel, or in need of a tail mount? Oh, those pesky yachting matters. In the bird world, these aren’t nautical terms, but issues pertaining to another luxury sport—falconry. And if there’s an avian equivalent of dry dock, the finest facility can be found in the United Arab Emirates, the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital (ADFH).
Established by the first president of the UAE, the late visionary Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (19182004), ADFH is the largest facility of its kind in the world. Since its opening in 1999, it has served over 160,000 feathered patients. Routine maintenance such as coping (the trimming and shaping of a falcon’s beak and talons, which sounds cosmetic but is actually quite technical to maintain the proper angles), dealing with a broken keel (the bone where the major flight muscles are attached—critical considering a peregrine falcon travels at more than 200 miles per hour when rocketing toward its prey in a dive known as a stoop), or the application of tail mounts (radio transmitters) may be yacht-like terms, but they are just a smattering of the services offered at ADFH.
Falconry is a sport now known worldwide, but in the UAE, it’s an integral part of Emirati culture. Said to have been practiced for perhaps 4,000 years, falconry was used by early Bedouins to hunt small game in the arid desert, augmenting their dietary staples of dates and
camel milk. Desert dwellers showed astounding ingenuity by capturing migrating falcons, training them to hunt, and then releasing the birds back into the wild when it was time for them to reverse their migration pattern. This seasonal ritual was repeated for centuries, until the modern era when falcons began to be bred domestically.
Today falconry is more of a sport than survival mechanism, and the birds demonstrate their prowess in frequent competitions. Prize-winning specimens can easily fetch tens of thousands of dollars, so keeping them in tip-top form is an investment in their health and performance. The fact that the UAE was the first country to issue passports for falcons is an indicator of the high regard Emirati citizens hold for their raptors.
It’s almost comical to see dozens of falcons awaiting treatment, carefully tied to their perches and kept calm by leather hoods (known as al burqa) placed over their heads. But the state-of-the-art procedures offered at ADFH are highly serious, whether it be surgeries in the sterile operating room, eye exams with high-tech instruments in the ophthalmology department, laboratory work-ups of blood and fecal samples, or x-rays in the intensive care unit.
But perhaps the most laudatory aspect of the work done at ADFH is the wild falcon release program, whereby peregrine and saker falcons are returned to their original habitat in countries such as Kazakhstan and Pakistan. Over 2,000 birds have been released so far, in an effort to rebuild wild populations and maintain traditional migratory patterns.
Solvang Serenity
The Winston offers luxury accommodations in downtown Solvang, positioned within the Santa Ynez Valley wine country. Their approach focuses on thoughtfully curated design and personalized service, providing guests with convenient access to the Danish-inspired town's boutique shopping, restaurants, and local farmer's market.
The property features a distinctive design philosophy centered on intentional color palettes and carefully selected furnishings. Each room incorporates a bold color scheme grounded in farmer green, navy blue, and porpoise grey, accented with blush pink, crimson red, and tangerine. Every headboard, armchair, and coffee table has been hand-selected to introduce texture and create visual dimension within these palettes.
Guest amenities include pre-stocked honor bars and what they term "invisible service," allowing for privacy while maintaining attention to detail. The Winston's location in downtown Solvang provides walking access to the town's Danish architecture, wine tasting rooms, and cultural attractions, while serving as a base for exploring the broader Santa Ynez Valley wine region. This combination of distinctive interior design and central Solvang location offers a unique approach to wine country hospitality.
thewinstonsolvang.com
JAPAN’S JIDAI MATSURI FESTIVAL
Story and Photographs by Lynn P. Kirst
Kyoto History on Parade
It’s October 22 and throughout Kyoto, citizens are heading to the parade route, just as they have every year since 1895. From the wide, gravel avenue near the south gate of the Imperial Palace to the modern paved streets closer to Heian Jingu Shrine, people gather to view the extraordinary procession that, like a scroll, rolls open to reveal more than 1,100 years of Kyoto’s history brought to life.
In 1868, Japan’s capital moved to Tokyo after having been in Kyoto (then called Heian-kyō) for more than a thousand years. The Heian Jingu Shrine was built in Kyoto in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the earlier capital, and that same year the Jidai Matsuri Festival was inaugurated. It has since become one of Kyoto’s three most famous festivals, well attended by its citizens and a few tourists lucky enough to be in the know.
Jidai Matsuri translates to “Festival of Ages,” but unlike the loud, raucous connotation the word “festival” likely conjures in Western minds, this is in fact a solemn, stately procession. Most of the 2,000 participants walk on foot, but some ride horseback or are seated in ox- or human-
pulled carts. It takes a full two hours for the procession to pass by, but monotony is avoided by the ever-changing, accurate, and often breathtaking costumes that represent Kyoto’s major historical eras from the Heian period (794-1185) to the early Meiji period (1868-1912). Eighteen different groups are featured, some of which include specific historical figures that can be identified by their individualized attire. The entire pageant is presented in reverse chronological order, so the excitement of the parade’s beginning gives way to wonderment as it unfolds along its three-mile-long route. For those fortunate enough to witness this spectacle, the Jidai Matsuri Festival is one of the most unforgettable experiences to be found in Japan.
Ocean Odysseys
Santa Barbara Travel Bureau specializes in curating luxury cruise experiences through their partnership with Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Their expertise lies in crafting personalized maritime journeys that highlight the elegance, comfort, and cultural richness of destinations around the globe.
Their focus centers on Regent's all-suite ships, featuring spacious accommodations with private balconies, open bars and lounges, and comprehensive culinary programs. These all-inclusive voyages include unlimited shore excursions and personalized service, with itineraries spanning the Mediterranean, Asia, Alaska, and other sought-after destinations worldwide.
Santa Barbara Travel offers specialized programs including Regent's Immersive Overnights voyages, which feature extended stays in each port of call, allowing deeper exploration of destinations. Their advisors also design bespoke pre- and post-cruise land programs tailored to individual travel preferences.
Operating from offices in downtown Santa Barbara and Montecito, their local presence provides personalized consultation for cruise planning. Their advisors bring decades of travel expertise to help clients navigate the luxury cruise market, ensuring each voyage aligns with personal interests and travel styles. This combination of intimate local service and access to premium cruise experiences positions them as trusted guides for sophisticated ocean travel.
www.sbtravel.com
REAL ESTATES
ENGLISH COUNTRY ESTATE
Experience unmatched luxury in Montecito’s prestigious Riven Rock. This grand English Country estate on 5.5 acres offers breathtaking views, exquisite craftsmanship, resort-level amenities, guest houses, an auto gallery, and a master suite beyond compare—an iconic estate of distinction.
MONTECITO PRIVATE ESTATE
This private estate showcases panoramic ocean views and unbelievable craftsmanship throughout. Designed for seamless living, the main spaces are set on a single level, offering refined comfort and elegance in every detail—an ultra rare offering in one of Montecito’s most coveted locations.
937 Cima Linda Lane, Montecito
$23,500,000
Teddy Muller of Turpin Muller Group (805) 698-2347
Village Properties DRE#: 02160267
MOUNTAIN VIEW ESTATE
771 Garden Lane, Montecito
$36,500,000
Gary Goldberg (805) 455-8910
Coastal Properties DRE#: 01172139
Perched above Montecito near San Ysidro Ranch, this ocean-view estate offers sweeping vistas, a dramatic two-story atrium, gracious entertaining spaces, and a view-filled primary suite. A rare opportunity to enjoy unmatched beauty and a truly elevated lifestyle.
1640 E Mountain Drive, Montecito
$19,900,000
Riskin Partners Estate Group (805) 565-8600
Village Properties DRE#: 01954177
MODERN HOPE RANCH
REAL ESTATES
Amodern masterpiece in Hope Ranch, this 2024 remodeled home offers sleek design, single-level living, a second-level studio, lush landscaping, a pool, spa, chef’s kitchen, and smart home tech—plus private beach access for the ultimate Santa Barbara lifestyle.
691 Via Trepadora, Hope Ranch
$14,995,000
Riskin Partners Estate Group (805) 565-8600
Village Properties DRE#: 01954177
ENNISBROOK VIEW ESTATE
Unobstructed
ocean and mountain views from a private, gentle knoll will inspire your opportunity to re-imagine this 5-bedroom Ennisbrook estate. With abundant privacy and expansive gentle terrain, only your imagination limits the possibilities for this exceptional property.
306 Meadowbrook Drive, Montecito
$12,000,000
Randy Solakian Estates Group (805) 886-6000
Coldwell Banker Realty
DRE#: 00622258
HOPE RANCH RESIDENCE
Elevate your lifestyle in this meticulously remodeled 5-bed, 5.5-bath modern residence atop a private knoll in exclusive Hope Ranch. With 360° ocean, island and mountain views, this gated paradise features a pool, tennis court, and endless potential for luxury living.
4558 Via Esperanza, Santa Barbara
$13,995,000
Daniel Zia, Zia Group (805) 364-9009 eXp Realty
DRE#: 01710544 & 01878277
MODERN RIVEN ROCK
Turnkey modern elegance in Riven Rock. This single-level home on 1.4± acres blends luxe interiors with lush outdoor living. A chic primary suite, walls of glass, and ideal location near villages and beaches make this a perfect Montecito escape.
1190 Garden Lane, Montecito
$10,995,000
Riskin Partners Estate Group (805) 565-8600
Village Properties DRE#: 01954177
CHIC MONTECITO ESTATE
Ocean views, remodeled interiors, and an A+ location define this chic Montecito estate.
An open layout, designer kitchen, epic primary suite, pool, and ADU offer stylish comfort and flexibility in one of Montecito’s most sought-after neighborhoods.
890 Park Lane, Montecito
$13,750,000
Riskin Partners Estate Group (805) 565-8600
Village Properties
DRE#: 01954177
CONTEMPORARY RIVIERA RETREAT
Tuckedinto Santa Barbara’s Riviera, this beautifully reimagined contemporary retreat offers sweeping ocean, island, and city views. Clean lines, voluminous ceilings, and expansive glass walls create seamless indoor-outdoor flow with multiple terraces and stunning pool.
945 Arbolado Rd, Santa Barbara
$10,500,000
Cristal Clarke (805) 886-9378
BHHS
DRE#: 00968247
REAL ESTATES
PRIVATE ZEN RETREAT
Aprivate, gated Mid-Century retreat on 1.35 acres in Montecito featuring lush gardens, pool, tennis court, spa-like primary suite, chef’s kitchen, and seamless indoor-outdoor flow. Resort-style living with luxury amenities and serene natural beauty throughout.
HISTORIC STANFORD ESTATE
Originally part of an 1895 Stanford White estate, this expanded Montecito home blends history with modern living. Wraparound porches, chef’s kitchen, flexible layout, pool, gardens, and detached studio create timeless yet playful lifestyle under ancient oaks.
1729 Glen Oaks, Montecito
$9,995,000
Riskin Partners Estate Group (805) 565-8600
Village Properties
DRE#: 01954177
REMODELED HOPE RANCH
655 Oak Springs Ln, Montecito
$9,995,000
Tiffany Doré (805) 689-1052
Village Properties DRE#: 01806890
This fully remodeled Hope Ranch estate blends sleek design with panoramic views, a reimagined chef’s kitchen, floor-to-ceiling glass, luxe upgrades, and seamless indoor-outdoor living. It includes a new pool, rooftop deck, wine cellar, and modern luxury throughout.
4450 Via Alegre, Hope Ranch
$9,900,000
Riskin Partners Estate Group (805) 565-8600
Village Properties DRE#: 01954177
REAL ESTATES
Perched on a ±1 acre lot, this elegant residence captures sweeping ocean and mountain views. Designed for both grand entertaining and intimate living, it features expansive light-filled interiors, manicured gardens, and seamless indoor-outdoor spaces in coveted Montecito location.
1285 E Mountain Drive, Montecito
$7,995,000
Cristal Clarke (805) 886-9378
BHHS
DRE#: 00968247
Thischarming 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home offers an unbeatable location just minutes to Montecito's stunning Butterfly Beach, Coral Casino, and The Biltmore Four Seasons. The recently remodeled kitchen and spacious second-floor primary suite provide modern comfort and luxury.
1114 Hill Road, Montecito
$7,495,000
Don Johnston/ Montecito Luxury Group (805) 951-7331
Sotheby's International Realty DRE#: 01868263
S et beneath redwoods in the Hedgerow, this updated 1860 farmhouse offers timeless charm and modern ease. Oak floors, romantic primary suite, guest studio, and lush gardens create private retreat moments.
1769 San Leandro Lane, Montecito
$6,995,000
Riskin Partners Estate Group (805) 565-8600
Village Properties DRE#: 01954177
This 1928 Spanish Colonial Revival by Joseph Plunkett overlooks La Cumbre Country Club with golf and lake views. Vaulted ceilings, hand-hewn beams, and timeless charm define this Hope Ranch treasure with seamless indoor-outdoor living and private primary suite.
4045 Lago Drive, Hope Ranch
$6,750,000
Riskin Partners Estate Group (805) 565-8600
Village Properties DRE#: 01954177
This 21± acre Montecito estate offers panoramic ocean views and 1970s charm. Warm wood accents, expansive windows, and an open layout provide timeless appeal and endless potential to create your dream retreat in a truly rare and peaceful setting.
2200 Bella Vista Drive, Montecito
$7,495,000
Riskin Partners Estate Group (805) 565-8600
Village Properties
DRE#: 01954177
MOUNTAIN VIEWS
Views, volume, and value! Set on 4.12 acres, this nearly 9,000 sq.ft. contemporary home boasts ocean and mountain views, soaring ceilings, generously sized living spaces, and a rooftop deck—just minutes from Montecito, offered at only $665 per sq.ft.
1776 Eucalyptus Hill Road, Montecito
$5,950,000
Marsha Kotlyar Estate Group (805) 565-4014
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services DRE#: 01426886
REAL ESTATES
REIMAGINED VALLEY ESTATE
Built in 1883 and beautifully reimagined, this residence blends historic charm with modern refinement on a landscaped half-acre lot. The main home and guest cottage form a design-forward farmhouse near Montecito’s Upper Village, where quiet luxury meets timeless architectural details.
1575 E Valley Road
$5,495,000
Marsha Kotlyar Estate Group (805) 565-4014
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services DRE#: 01426886
R
are opportunity in the center of Montecito nestled at the end of a private lane, this south-facing property offers an exceptional blend of privacy and convenience just one mile from the Upper Village. Quaint three-bedroom main residence with guest house on full acre.
625 Parra Grande Lane
$5,000,000
Randy Solakian Estates Group (805) 453-9642
Coldwell Banker Realty DRE#: 01895788
HOPE RANCH RETREAT
Set in Hope Ranch, this single-level retreat offers timeless charm with indoor-outdoor flow, featuring a pool, putting green, outdoor kitchen, and garden views. Vaulted ceilings and natural light create a tranquil primary suite for easy living in this coveted coastal setting.
210 Las Palmas Drive
$4,995,000
Riskin Partners Estate Group (805) 565-8600
Village Properties DRE#: 01954177
Experience
coastal living in this exquisite topfloor Montecito Shores residence featuring two bedrooms, central A/C, Sonos system, spacious 28-foot balcony, and luxury finishes offering serenity and elegance. Enjoy resort-style amenities and prime location near shops and beaches in this sophisticated 1769 sq ft home.
71 Seaview Drive, Montecito
$3,995,000
Lisa Foley (805) 252-2271
Goodwin & Thyne Properties DRE#: 01477382
Meticulously renovated on a tree-lined Upper East street, this elegant home features white oak floors, chef’s kitchen, indoor-outdoor living, and serene primary suite. Located just moments from the Mission, Rose Garden, shops, dining, and downtown Santa Barbara for sophisticated urban living.
305 E Islay Street
$3,500,000
Tiffany Doré (805) 689-1052
Village Properties
DRE#: 01806890
LUXURY RENTALS
VILLA CARYATIDS
Villa Caryatids is a luxurious private residence in Chora, Patmos, designed by renowned interior designer John Stefanidis. This five-bedroom, six-bathroom villa features panoramic terraces, a modern kitchen, and curated interiors. Located beneath the Monastery of St. John, it offers stunning views of the Icarian archipelago. Weekly rentals are available with a 15-day minimum stay.
Experience luxury in this Rincon Point oceanfront home with four bedrooms, office, gym, sauna, and hot tub. This prestigious beach community property offers designer interiors and stunning ocean views, providing the ultimate coastal living experience.
8096 Puesta Del Sol, Rincon Point
$35,000 per month
Emily Kellenberger & Associates (805) 252-2773
Village Properties DRE#: 01397913
Experience luxury living at Casa Paradiso. This Mediterranean-style estate offers four bedrooms, three and a half baths, and features lush gardens, heated pool, and gourmet kitchen. Located in Montecito’s prestigious Hedgerow community with proximity to beaches and Rosewood Miramar Resort.
Hedgerow Community, Montecito (Address provided upon reservation confirmation) Please inquire for rates (805) 716-6059
Paradise Retreats DRE#: 02090892
The jewel box of Montecito. This pristine home offers four bedrooms, two full baths, and exquisite furnishings with meticulous attention to detail. The property is being offered fully furnished and move-in ready. The current owner has further elevated the award-winning gardens.
2320 Sycamore Canyon Road, Montecito $35,000 per month
Don Johnston/ Montecito Luxury Group (805) 951-7331
Sotheby’s International Realty DRE#: 01868263
Chapala Chic exudes sophisticated comfort in downtown Santa Barbara. This thoughtfully designed retreat features elegant furnishings, abundant natural light, and a serene neutral palette. It offers refined living that feels effortlessly like home in the heart of the city.
105 W. De la Guerra, Unit #Q
$10,500 per month
Samantha Ireland (805) 319-4045
Vacation Rentals of Santa Barbara DRE#: 0171182
RINCON POINT OCEANFRONT ESTATE THE JEWEL BOX OF MONTECITO CHAPALA CHIC
