Association of Fundraising Professionals Santa Barbara/Ventura Counties Chapter 2023 Honorees
The Association of Fundraising Professionals Santa Barbara/Ventura Counties Chapter celebrated National Philanthropy Day with a Philanthropy Awards presentation on Tuesday, November 14, at the Santa Barbara Zoo. The event was led by their President Lauren Trujillo, her co-chairs Molly Kemper and Gerry Pantoja, and the event committee: Karen Y. Kawaguchi, Megan Nuss, Hannah Quiroz, Shannon Silk, A.J. Steinberg, and Paige Van Tuyl.
The event began with a Networking Reception in the courtyard. For the Awards Presentation, guests were seated in the Discovery Pavilion. Trujillo welcomed everyone, read the Tribal Land Acknowledgement Statement, and said, “Let’s pause and reflect on the profound impact the honorees have on the community, and thank you to our co-presenting sponsors the Kellogg Organization, Montecito Bank & Trust, and the Santa Barbara Foundation.”
Remarks were given by Chairman and CEO of Montecito Bank & Trust Janet Garufis and Tammy Sims, Vice President of Philanthropic Services of the Santa Barbara Foundation.
The awards emcee was Santa Barbara Zoo CEO Rich Block, who chided that he could speak for half an hour on the honorees, and thereafter all the honorees quipped the same line back to him. There was a video by someone who knew the honoree and talked about their contributions, then the award was presented and the honoree gave their remarks.
The 2023 honorees are:
Philanthropist of the Year, Santa Barbara County: The Ann Jackson Family Foundation(Montecito)
Philanthropist of the Year, Ventura County: Doug Yarrow
Volunteer of the Year, Santa Barbara County: Dr. Ahmad Nooristani,Savie Health
Volunteer of the Year, Ventura County: Mary Looby, Ventura County Fire Department Community Service Volunteer
Professional Fundraiser of the Year: Stephanie Wilson, Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum
Youth in Philanthropy: Jackson Gillies
Champions for Social Justice: Simone Akila, Jordan Killebrew, and Chiany Dri, Juneteenth Santa Barbara
Key remarks from the honorees included Palmer Jackson, who said, “Here we askwhat is your passion and what do you support. My family foundation provides funding, and every member is a volunteer in the town serving on 40 different nonprofits. We love interacting and working with you.”
Mary Looby said, “Everyone can find something they love and volunteer doing it!” Jackson Gillies remarked, “In Santa Barbara, we all have way more than we need, we can give, and I quote John Mayall in saying, I believe that my life’s going to see the love I give return to me.”
“We dedicate our award to Sojourner Kincaid Rolle who passed away yesterday. She was my second mom. She held our Black History in Santa Barbara, with inclusion, education and love,” said Jordan Killebrew.
The Nominations Committee for 2023 was: Amanda Allen, Santa Barbara Humane; Ashleigh Davis, Montecito Bank & Trust; Gerry Pantoja, Ventura College Foundation; Melissa Miller, Ventura County Credit Union; and Natalie N. Yanez, Southern California Edison.
National Philanthropy Day is an occasion that shines a light on the tremendous impact of philanthropy and celebrates the remarkable individuals who have contributed significantly to enriching our world through volunteering and service.
