SB Museum of Art Ambassadors New Member Luncheon 2026
It is always such a pleasure to cover the SB Museum of Art Ambassadors’ New Members Luncheon, held annually in January. The group, formerly titled the SB Museum of Art Women’s Board, officially has been renamed in 2026 to reflect both its mission and open-to-all member policy.
This year is an especially important year for the SBMA Ambassadors as they celebrate their 75th Anniversary, being founded in 1951. Their annual fundraising event, this year titled, “Mid-Century in Motion,” will celebrate their 75th on April 26 at the Cabrillo Pavilion Ballroom. Sponsorships and tickets are available on their website.
The new member luncheon was held at the University Club SB, with a formal program to welcome the new members and a seated lunch.
The program welcome and toast was by new SBMA Ambassador President Deb Joseph, who shared, “Today, we warmly welcome our vibrant incoming active members and honor our incredible sustaining members, who have been with us for 20 and even 25 years. Your dedication is truly inspiring. Today, we also mark the 75th anniversary, and the evolution of the SBMA Ambassadors, our past, our present, and our future. Your presence here is a testament to the enduring legacy of our beginnings, from the SBMA Women’s Board in 1951 and evolving into who we are today; SBMA Ambassadors in 2026. Our mission is the same, our vital role in the support of the Santa Barbara exhibitions and education programs continues onward. Please raise your glasses high! To our growth, community, and shared passion for the arts.”
The new members joining this year were introduced with a brief bio. They received flowers and chocolates as a welcome gesture. The new members are: Karena G. Akhavein, Tamara Kaye-Honey, Joanne Ohlman, Colleen Pizarev, Josh Ramirez, and Eileen White Read.
Akhavein is a writer, podcaster, and educator with a career in fashion retail, magazine editing and interior design. She is a docent at Lotusland and has served as the VP Marketing for the SB Newcomers. While in the San Francisco Bay area, she supported the Lycée Français, San Francisco Ballet, Opera, and Zoo.
Kaye-Honey is the founder and creative director of House of Honey, a female-led design studio in Montecito, with locations in Pasadena and Brooklyn. Following the Los Angeles fires, Tamara co-founded The Soft Landing Project, a nationwide initiative that provided furnishings to more than 900 families rebuilding their homes. She moved to Montecito from Nova Scotia over a decade ago.
Ohlman volunteers with SB Newcomers, Meals on Wheels, St. Vincent’s SB, and Flower Empower. Her career in HR saw her in executive roles for Salesforce, Gilead, Novartis, and Coca-Cola.
Pizarev comes from a long line of artists. Her art business – Second Act Artworks – donates all proceeds from her paintings and drawings to various charities. She was one of five students selected to study under San Francisco master artist Robert K. Semans and continues to paint and draw with him. Her board and volunteer works includes UCSB’s Alumni Awards Gala, the SB Junior League for 42 years, the Mission Canyon Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Community Friends of SB Auxiliary.
Ramirez is a top real estate professional with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, specializing in luxury properties in Montecito and SB. A SB native, he is passionate about the arts and has served on the boards of the Music Academy of the West helping secure its new downtown location and represents the Santa Barbara Museum of Art in the sale of the historic McCormick House.
White Read is a former Wall Street Journalbusinessjournalist and has directed strategic communications at the Center for American Progress. Her board and nonprofit work is extensive, which includes the Music Academy of the West, Human Rights Watch, the SBMA, co-founding Hands Across Montecito, and serving as a master gardener and trustee of the SB Botanic Garden.
The SBMA Ambassadors fundraising efforts are well noted throughout the museum’s exhibitions and programs. The Ambassadors’ support this fiscal year has been as lead sponsors of The Impressionist Revolution: Monet to Matisse from the Dallas Museum of Art and Encore: 19th-Century French Art from the Santa Barbara Museum of Art exhibitions.
Till next week loves…. Xx JAC
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