Meet Our Staff

President & CEO Jackie Carrera is passionate about the vital role that community foundations play in creating strong communities. She is continually impressed by Santa Barbara’s sense of place and the love that people have for their county. Whether it’s a neighbor struggling with basic needs such as access to healthy food, housing or employment, or the region facing the threat of a natural disaster, Jackie has found that people want to know what they can do to help. She is inspired to help them make that connection – the nexus of which represents the power, resilience and beauty of the human spirit.

Jackie leads the Foundation’s efforts to drive new revenue opportunities, refine its business model, and continue the development of the donor base and endowment.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Jackie served as the President & CEO of the Parks & People Foundation in Maryland for over two decades during which time the organization became a national leader in urban parks and recreation, ecosystem research and education, watershed restoration, job training and workforce development, and innovative programming for youth. Most recently, she has served as a consultant to nonprofits on fundraising, governance and management. Jackie received her BBA in Finance from Loyola University in Maryland.

Brittany is constantly inspired by the generosity she witnesses in Santa Barbara, as it improves the natural beauty of our landscapes, enhances the vibrancy of our culture, and supports the well-being of our people. She believes that without the nonprofit sector and the wonderful donors who support it, Santa Barbara would be a very different place. Brittany feels fortunate to live here and even more fortunate to work with generous individuals who choose to give to improve the lives of others.

In her role as Executive Liaison to the President & CEO and Board of Trustees, Brittany is responsible for raising funds to support the Santa Barbara Foundation’s work in the community. She manages direct mail fundraising campaigns and provides opportunities for donors to connect with the Santa Barbara Foundation’s work.

Brittany has dedicated her career to raising philanthropic dollars to support the work of non-profit organizations. Most recently, Brittany served as the President’s Circle director for the SBCC Foundation, raising the annual funds necessary for the Foundation to support the college and its students. Brittany serves on the board of the local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate with CASA of Santa Barbara County.

As Chief Financial Officer, overseeing finance, accounting, and investments, Janet Mocker is energized by working together with her teammates to achieve shared goals and improve operating efficiency.

Prior to joining the Foundation in 2013, Janet spent five years as the senior financial analyst responsible for Sarbanes-Oxley compliance at the Redmond, Washington branch of Aerojet-Rocketdyne, Inc. Previously, she was director of finance and administration, and a member of the executive leadership team, at rpiprint.com. During her tenure, RPI transitioned its business model from traditional to internet-based printing and nearly doubled its revenue. Prior to that, she worked as a senior accountant for the religious community of the Sisters of Providence, where she was responsible for financial reporting and investment accounting and management. Janet began her career as a staff auditor with Ernst & Young, LLP, after which she worked for several Washington State CPA firms, performing financial audits of small businesses, nonprofit organizations and governmental entities, and preparing income tax and information returns for high net worth individuals, closely held entities, and nonprofit organizations. She is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with concentration in accounting from the University of Washington.

As Vice President, Programs Rubayi Estes finds inspiration in our community and the people who serve them. “I work with an amazing staff, a team that shares the love for our community and the appreciation for the people in the organizations that serve this community. My work in particular is based on doing better, learning continuously as an organization, and with our peers, such that our community is a little better off when we are involved.”

Rubayi employs leadership skills and curiosity to design, develop and ensure excellence in research, evaluation, and learning practices in philanthropy. She leads the evaluation team to inform strategy for problem solving in Santa Barbara County, and leverages collective knowledge and information technology to increase organizational learning and serve the community better.

Most recently Rubayi was a Community Investment Officer (program officer) at the Santa Barbara Foundation and deployed an equity-focused education investment strategy. Previously she was an independent evaluation and strategy consultant on projects for Open Health Systems Laboratory, World Bank, Orfalea Foundation, Root Change, Save the Children, and Oxfam International, among others. Her work experience includes the private sector with International Business Incubator and Schering-Plough Biopharma in California’s Bay Area, as well as government program support and analysis with cities of Palo Alto and Goleta, and the 4th Congressional District of Massachusetts, United States.

Her work is grounded in methods and practice found in the fields of evaluation, conflict resolution, public policy, and information technology for use in education and outreach, community engagement, and developing strategies to motivate behavioral change among individuals and their social or professional environments. Her values are rooted in 11 years of free progress learning at the Aurobindo Ashram in Delhi, India where students ‘learn how to learn.’ She has a BA in globalization with a socio-economic and anthropological emphasis from UC Santa Barbara, and holds an MA in International Environmental Policy from the Monterey Institute of International Studies, with certifications in Development Project Management and Global Peace and Security.

According to Jonathan Bower, “connecting with SBF staff members on a daily basis gives me joy and wholeness.” As Operations Supervisor, Jonathan provides audio-visual support for the meeting room spaces, oversees office supplies, manages onsite and offsite storage facilities, and supports communications and IT as needed.

Jonathan is a native of Santa Barbara and studied Broadcasting at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, California. Previously Jonathan served for thirteen years as the Lead Audio Visual technician at the Fess Parker Double Tree Resort in Santa Barbara.

Community Grants Program Manager Jenny Bruell is passionate about helping communities and organizations identify what they want to accomplish, and working with those groups to engage people and assets in order to achieve their goals.

In her position, Jenny provides high-level support and coordination for the Foundation’s grantmaking portfolio. She works with the Community Engagement Team to promote collaboration and learning, and also manages the Behavioral Health and Health Care Community Grant Programs.

Jenny moved to Santa Barbara in 2017 from Colorado, where she worked in the Lieutenant Governor’s office as the Deputy Director of Serve Colorado. In that role, she oversaw AmeriCorps grantmaking across the state. She has held leadership roles at an adult education center, a national AmeriCorps training and technical assistance program, and a small town government. Jenny facilitated the development of a Town’s Comprehensive Plan, coordinated a County’s Children, Youth, and Family Master Plan, and written successful regional and national grant proposals to support early childhood development, adult education, and national service.  After she arrived in Santa Barbara, Jenny co-led CA HOPE 805, a temporary FEMA-funded team that supported people impacted by the Thomas Fire and 1/9 Debris Flow. Jenny holds a Master of Social Work degree with a focus on community organization from the University of Michigan, and a BA from the University of Virginia.

Community Grants Program Associate Sydney Casler is inspired by the determination and empathy of our resilient communities. She enjoys seeing collaborative efforts come together to create an impact, taking innovation and support to the next level. Sydney is grateful to be part of a team that works to generate positive, inclusive and sustainable change throughout the county.

As Community Grants Program Associate, Sydney provides administrative and grants support to the Foundation’s grantmaking programs, initiatives and community engagement activities. She manages the grants database, evaluates grants, processes grant requests and cultivates relationships with nonprofit organizations countywide.

Sydney received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Human Services from DePaul University. She has since spent her career serving nonprofits. Her passion for making a difference and striving to empower others took her around the world volunteering. She returned to Santa Barbara and received her MBA from Antioch University that focused on global philanthropy and social responsibility. Prior to joining the Foundation, Sydney worked at PathPoint, Noah’s Anchorage and CALM. In addition, she has volunteered with a number of local organizations, including the Alzheimer’s Association, Friendship Center and American Heart Association.

Community Engagement Coordinator, Maria Caudillo appreciates the opportunity to serve her beautiful community in meaningful ways, and to act on her love for the nonprofit sector.

As Community Engagement Coordinator, Maria provides support for the entire Community Engagement Department, including the Grantmaking, Strategy, and Communications Teams.

With over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector in various roles, Maria is fully bilingual and brings expertise in event coordination, logistics, and administrative support.

North County Office Coordinator Elaine Ceja says, “I am constantly inspired by the intelligence, motivation and kindness exhibited by my colleagues.”

As the first friendly face people encounter at the foundation’s North County office, Elaine is committed to upholding the outstanding reputation the foundation enjoys in our community.

A native Santa Marian, Elaine comes to the foundation with over 18 years of Administrative Assistant experience, spanning from the Glenn Burdette Accounting firm to 14 years with the City of Pismo Beach. Elaine also worked with Bakersfield City School District for 3 years as a Specially Funded Clerk and oversaw the Title 1 and Local Control Funds at a G.A.T.E Magnet School for the District.

Gary grew up in a small, semi-rural town with a population of 1,500 and learned the value of community at a very young age. His key inspiration for working in the philanthropic sector is to help build and support a community where everyone feels they belong and are valued and appreciated for their contributions.

As the Director of the Collaboration for Social Impact, Gary brings his varied experience and collaborative leadership style to develop strategic partnerships, facilitate community connections and enhance nonprofit sector leadership and capacity. In addition to overseeing the Small Capacity Building Grant program, he focuses on identifying areas where the nonprofit sector needs support, and then works to build alliances and collaborations between businesses, nonprofits and government agencies to meet those needs.

Most recently, Gary was a member of the leadership team at The Fund for Santa Barbara. As Director of Capacity Building, his work served and fostered intersectionality among diverse community-based groups addressing the root causes of community problems. This included a robust nonprofit professional development program featuring nationally recognized trainers as well as the delivery of over 1,000 hours of consulting annually by a team of local issue and knowledge area experts. In addition, he co-developed and co-led a collaboration with the Santa Barbara Independent to launch Santa Barbara Gives!, which has raised over $1,000,000 for Santa Barbara County nonprofit organizations. He is a lifelong community advocate who transitioned a successful marketing/business development career in the software industry to the philanthropic sector. He holds a BA in Communications from UC Santa Barbara.

According to Assistant Controller Celine Delpoux, these words from Maya Angelou embody the driving force at the core of the Santa Barbara Foundation: its people. “It’s a real privilege and constant source of inspiration to work alongside such creative, determined and empathetic colleagues.”

Celine is responsible for general accounting and financial reporting concerning the daily operations of the foundation. She also manages payroll and assists the Chief Financial Officer during the Foundation’s annual audit and budgeting process.

Celine brings over 10 years of corporate accounting and payroll experience from a publicly traded school bus transportation company, where she managed multi-states payroll and assisted the Regional Director of Finance Operations with accounting procedures, financial reporting, revenue analysis, budget and audit preparation. Originally from France, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of Toulouse Le Mirail. Celine also completed Business and Professional Accounting courses offered by UCSB Extension program. When she is not at work, she enjoys embarking on culinary adventures along the beautiful Central coast, as well as riding her bike across Ventura where she lives.

Major Gifts Officer Nick Dietzen believes that together, we can do more. An advocate for the role community foundations play in the greater philanthropic landscape, Nick is a champion for working with donors on achieving their philanthropic goals through charitable giving. As a newer member of the Santa Barbara community, Nick has been struck by the immense pride, commitment to community and generosity that exists throughout the county.

As a member of the Philanthropic Services team, Nick is committed to furthering the Santa Barbara Foundation’s work through securing philanthropic support from generous, engaged residents who aim to strengthen their communities through the Foundation’s strategic priorities.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Nick served as a Philanthropic Advisor and Planned Giving Officer at the Montana Community Foundation (MCF) for four years. During Nick’s time at MCF, the Montana Office of Gift Planning (MOGP) team grew charitable funds at an unprecedented level, providing   permanent, endowed charitable assets for the benefit of Montana. Nick also worked in development and publicity in athletics at Carroll College in his hometown of Helena, Montana.

Nick graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor’s degree from the Annenberg School for Journalism and Communication (Fight On!). Outside of his work, Nick loves watching and playing sports, especially golf. Nick can be found exploring the incredible outdoors with his canine companion, Winnie.

Program Manager Petra Gomez is motivated by the Foundation’s role in investing and addressing the needs of Santa Barbara County. Petra serves as the principal point of contact for SBF’s Focus Areas and oversees grants administration for child care, workforce development, and workforce housing. She enjoys building strong relationships and is a great collaborator.

Before joining the Foundation, Petra served as an administrator in higher education, where she managed and provided fiscal oversight of a federally funded grant program. For more than twelve years, Petra’s leadership has supported the community through the implementation of innovative program services, holistic program models, and high student and program outcomes to close educational equity gaps.

Petra holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership & Administration from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a Minor in Education & Applied Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is currently working toward her Doctorate in Education from the University of Southern California.

Director of Communications Jordan Killebrew says, “Community is at the heart of every decision made at the Santa Barbara Foundation and as a person that craves community, I am inspired every day to do what’s best for our neighborhoods spanning the county.”

Jordan and his team promote and enhance the Foundation’s identity through marketing and communications strategy, social media, publications, public relations, advertising, and events.

Before joining the Foundation, Jordan was a marketing & graphic design consultant, working with companies, nonprofits, and government in Santa Barbara County. Jordan also founded Project IV Love, the inspiration that helped raise over $50k for the Love and Remembrance Garden in Isla Vista in its inaugural year. This garden is a community effort that honors the students that lost their lives in the Isla Vista shootings in 2014.

Jordan holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he served as a Resident Assistant and Associated Students Program Board member. When Jordan is not working, you may find him out in Santa Barbara at the beach or volunteering.

Denise Lazaro was born and raised in Santa Barbara, and she is determined to make an impact in her community. Denise is a proud daughter of immigrant parents and knows first-hand the financial struggles that working families face. Because of this, she is motivated to give back to her parents and other working families in Santa Barbara County.

As Interim Donor Services Coordinator, Denise serves clients of the Foundation by maintaining a quality customer service program and the integrity of all donor activities with regard to their philanthropic fund.

Denise graduated from Santa Barbara City College in 2018 with a degree in Sociology and Liberal Arts, and will continue her education at Channel Islands State University, pursuing a BA in Psychology. She hopes to one day run a nonprofit that provides guidance for at-risk youth.

“I believe there are many kids and teens with so much potential to do great things,” said Denise. “Unfortunately, with the challenges they face, society often forgets that they need extra support and that incarceration is not the answer. Often, they aren’t reminded of the great qualities they possess and all that they are capable of. I am here to remind them that I believe in them, and that they can accomplish anything that they set their mind to!”

Interim Investment Manager Andrea Light is inspired by the process of individuals coming together and making an impact on the broader community. The values and passions of her colleagues at the Santa Barbara Foundation and the Santa Barbara County community are Andrea’s greatest motivations to come into work every day and be a part of something bigger than herself.

During her tenure with the Foundation, Andrea has held roles in the Philanthropic Services Department and, currently, in the Finance Department. In addition to her Foundation experience, Andrea has worked in institutional investments, media sales, and was a flight attendant. She served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay and holds a BA in Anthropology from Cal State Los Angeles.

As the foundation’s go-to person for software issues, website maintenance, and facilities management, Senior Solutions Developer Nick Munday is inspired by ensuring nonprofits like Santa Barbara Foundation run efficiently, with technical ease.

Nick is from England, where he had his own computer service business. He comes to the foundation after four years at S.R. Hogue & Company in Santa Barbara. Nick is also the owner of Fusion Event Rentals, a local business specializing in rentals for weddings and special events.

Director of Grantmaking Pedro Paz is motivated by the opportunity to be creative while still helping others in the community.

As Director of Grantmaking, Pedro guides the Foundation’s grant opportunities in support of its goals and strategies. In this position, he works to build both relationships with nonprofit community leaders to better understand community needs and trends as well as community connections and partnerships. He also oversees the LEAF Initiative.

Prior to working for the Foundation, he was employed by the County of Santa Barbara as the Program & Evaluation Manager for First 5 Santa Barbara County. In addition to this work experience, he has served the Santa Barbara community as a board member for a number of nonprofits, including the Santa Barbara City College Foundation and Fund for Santa Barbara. Pedro has an M.A. and Ph.D. in Education from U.C. Santa Barbara.

Chloe Rieck is ecstatic to be a part of a team that is determined to make a positive and compelling impact in their community. She is inspired by the connection, compassion, and gratitude she continually sees in Santa Barbara County.

In her role as Administrative Assistant to Philanthropic Services, Chloe is responsible for processing the generous donations made by members of the community to the Foundation and other funds. She provides support to her fellow team members and enjoys learning about how to make an impact in the nonprofit sector.

Chloe holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She loves to travel and is fascinated by learning how others live and see the world. When not working, she enjoys cooking from scratch, reading, and exploring the beach and hiking trails with her husband.

Stephanie sees working for the Foundation as an extension of her desire to make a difference in the world.  She wanted to be able to help her community in a more direct way and felt that working with the Santa Barbara Foundation was a way to achieve this goal.

Stephanie enjoys the daily challenge of keeping not just the main office of the Santa Barbara Foundation humming, but also the Foundation House and the North County offices. There’s a bustle and excitement surrounding the coming expansion and improvements that are constantly being made so that the Foundation can better serve our community.

Stephanie has a Bachelor’s in Technical Theater and in 2014 earned her Master’s in Arts administration from Drexel University. She has worked at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in Memphis, TN; the Germantown Performing Arts Center in Germantown, TN; The Performing Arts Center, San Luis Obispo and the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, PA. She’s worked every kind of show imaginable from a ballerina’s first dance recital, Joan Baez, Presidential speeches, and everything in between. She’s worked on numerous capital improvement projects throughout her career and is looking forward to the coming expansion with Santa Barbara Foundation.

The driving belief throughout Stephanie’s professional life has always been that the arts can and do change lives. In addition, she has found ways to be an active community leader, serving as the board chair for the San Luis Obispo’s Promotional Coordinating Committee and the Treasurer for the SLO Surfrider Chapter.

Director of Donor Relations Jessica Sanchez says, “The road to effective philanthropy begins with a donor’s motivation. This reminded me that when you are inspired to give, you are often providing encouragement to other people who share passion for a cause, and this is what motivates me every day to help donors meet their charitable goals.”

Jessica is responsible for developing and strengthening relationships with donors and fund advisors, sharing best practices in philanthropic giving, strategically adding value to the donor experience through aligned giving opportunities, and facilitating meaningful engagement experiences for donors.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Jessica worked for Farmers Insurance as a customer service representative and as a tutor for Carney Educational Services. Working for Carney Educational Services, she assisted children in meeting academic and social needs. Jessica graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Global Studies and Chicano Studies and has received her Paralegal Certificate through the UCSB Extension Program.

Controller Tom Sheil has spent a major portion of his career serving nonprofit organizations, and he appreciates the sector’s culture. “The people at SBF, like those at my previous nonprofit organizations, are smart, caring, and make my job extremely enjoyable,” he says.

As Controller, Tom is responsible for the financial accounting and reporting of activities. These include developing and maintaining internal controls, processes, operating procedures, as well as supervising and mentoring staff.

Much of Tom’s career was spent as the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of an international nonprofit organization. Working in 22 countries, the organization provided food, medicine and clothing to almost 200,000 people in Eastern Europe and China. Most recently, he was a member of the leadership team overseeing a $250 million public works project. Prior to that, Tom was a Controller and member of executive management for a large printing company. He has also consulted for several nonprofits, start-ups and high-net-worth individuals. Tom holds a BS in Accounting Practice & Theory from California State University, Northridge and has been licensed in a variety of areas.

Kara Shoemaker is passionate about giving back to her community and is inspired by her grandmother, who at 86 is still an active volunteer at several local nonprofit organization. Kara says “I believe we all have the power to positively impact our community, and I strive to do that in both my personal and professional life.”

As Communications Officer, Kara is excited to share the Foundation’s plans and accomplishments with the Santa Barbara community through public relations, digital marketing, social media, publications, media relations, advertising, and events.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Kara worked in donor relations and development for UC Santa Barbara and Direct Relief. In addition, she has volunteered with a number of local organizations, including the Santa Barbara Audubon’s Eyes in the Sky Program and the UCSB Middle East Ensemble. Kara received her Bachelors of Arts degree in English with an emphasis in Environmental Literature from UC Santa Barbara. When not working or volunteering, she enjoys learning about native plants, exploring the mountains with her dog, and reading.

Caleb is inspired by solving complex problems and discovering new and efficient ways of carrying out organizational objectives.

As Data Administrator, Caleb oversees the general upkeep of the Foundation’s constituent management system, Raiser’s Edge. He works with the Philanthropic Services and Community Engagement Departments to utilize data in strategic and effective ways.

Most recently, Caleb was the Database Systems Manager at the Montana Community Foundation, where he managed gifts, gift acknowledgements, the donor portal, and development reporting. He has worked for a number of nonprofit organizations in the past, including the Boys and Girls Club, the Montana Democrats, Seattle Pacific University, My Fight Foundation, and Head Start. Caleb holds BAs in Political Science: International Relations and History from Seattle Pacific University. In his free time, he enjoys working with wood, exploring the outdoors, and playing music with friends.

Wendy Trimble is inspired by the people who make SBF’s work possible, as well as the quality of local programs that improve our communities. Wendy is dedicated to supporting the efficacy and growth of nonprofits, and she is motivated by the dualism of authenticity and impactful community effort encompassed in the Foundation’s work.

As the Investment Accountant for SBF, Wendy provides support for the Director of Investments. She helps to oversee all investment-related activity for accounts and funds, and is in charge of monitoring bank and brokerage accounts held by the Foundation.

Prior to joining SBF, Wendy worked in banking and retail management while attending college at California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI). She holds a BS in Business, Finance from CSUCI.

Community Grants Program Officer Deanna Vallejo is inspired every day by the resilience of our community and the widespread impulse to help thy neighbor.

Deanna manages the grants database, evaluates grants, processes grant requests, builds and sustains relationships with local nonprofit organizations, and provides research, due diligence, technical support, and follow-up on reporting requirements and document retention. She also provides advanced administrative and programmatic support for the Community Engagement Department.

Prior to this role, Deanna served as the Foundation’s South County Office Coordinator, sharing her skills in public relations, client services, human resources, and training, developed over a 25-year career.

Bio coming soon!

“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination.” Albert Einstein

Evie is motivated by supporting groups of passionate people who focus on making a positive difference. As a curious person and lifelong learner, she enjoys building relationships where she can support, and learn from, her colleagues.

As Director of HR, Evie serves as a connector between leadership and staff. HR leadership extends through many disciplines, including, employee relations (employee engagement, communication, investigations etc.), recruiting, organizational development (change management, professional development, succession planning etc.) and compensation & benefits.

Evie has been fortunate to have served as HR Manager for the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and has also worked in HR for Family Service Agency. Additionally, she worked as an Area Manager of HR for Kimpton Hotel and Restaurant Group. Evie holds a BA from the University of California, San Diego and is a Senior Certified Professional through the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM-SCP). Previously, she was a board member with SBHRA.

Prior to making a career transition into HR, Evie worked as a skincare educator. She has also worked as a professional classical musician and enjoys rescuing pets.

Communications Officer Sam Waterstone is inspired by stories of those who have overcome incredible adversity. He says, “As someone who was given every opportunity to succeed in life, I feel it is my obligation to help those who are less privileged.”

Sam is excited about using new media to engage with the community in fresh, interactive ways. As Communications Officer, he focuses on a wide range of communications projects, including branding and design, content creation, public relations, digital marketing and event coordination.

Sam received his BA from UC Santa Barbara in 2018, where he studied Communication and Sport Management. He has also attended the University of Cape Town, South Africa, where he studied Media and African Studies and got his start in philanthropy while interning at a nonprofit focused on helping South African entrepreneurs grow their small businesses. He loves to travel and is fascinated by issues surrounding media, power and globalization. Prior to working in the nonprofit industry, he worked in sport marketing and event management operations. Originally from the Bay Area, Sam is a self-proclaimed “sports geek” and is a die-hard fan of the Golden State Warriors and San Francisco Giants. In his spare time, he enjoys watching and playing basketball, hanging out at the beach, and exploring the mountains.

For Receptionist Lani Wollschlager, nurturing inspires her work at the Santa Barbara Foundation.

Lani has held various administrative roles in Santa Barbara and enjoys the variety of tasks which administrative assisting offers. She has volunteered for several nonprofits, which paved the way to finding satisfaction, value and contribution working in the nonprofit sector.

Lani enjoys the great outdoors, along with cooking, gardening and photography.