_An Edhat Reader
By LEAP
On February 29, LEAP: Learn. Engage. Advocate. Partner. honored Katya Armistead and Kristen Miller for their service to children and families in Santa Barbara County at the 5th LEAP Awards. Katya is the Assistant Vice Chancellor and Dean of Student Life at UC Santa Barbara and Kristen Miller is the Executive Director of the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce.
“Katya and Kristen are amazing community champions. Katya, with her passion for mentoring and supporting students at UCSB, and Kristen who has really championed childcare with her work at the Chamber,” said Lori Goodman, Executive Director at LEAP. “We were thrilled to honor them for their outstanding service.”
The hour-long virtual ceremony, hosted by Lori Goodman and Easy Lift Transportation Executive Director Ernesto Paredes, featured interviews with Katya and Kristen, as well as Jordan Killebrew, Executive Director of Public Affairs and Communications at Santa Barbara City College, and William Macfayden, Founder and Publisher of Noozhawk. The event was free to attend and interpretation and bi-lingual captions between English and Spanish were provided.
“I love LEAP’s commitment to the community and our youth, helping them thrive and become successful leaders,” said Katya Armistead. “That’s exactly what I do with young adults at UCSB – providing a foundation for them to thrive, grow, and develop.”
“Addressing the critical shortfall in affordable and accessible childcare is a cornerstone of our mission, closely aligning us with LEAP’s values. The Chamber is deeply invested in highlighting this as a fundamental need within our local economy,” Kristen Miller shared. “Receiving recognition from LEAP is profoundly meaningful, affirming our commitment and passion for making a tangible difference in the community. It’s truly an honor to collaborate with such an impactful organization, contributing to the vital work they undertake.”
In addition to honoring Katya and Kristen, the LEAP Awards raised $37,450 to support LEAP’s Family Resource Center and Children’s Center, which provides vital services to children and families across Santa Barbara County.
Katya Armistead
Assistant Vice Chancellor and Dean of Student Life at UC Santa Barbara.
Katya Armistead is a student-focused administrator with over 30 years of experience. She currently serves as the Assistant Vice Chancellor and Dean of Student Life (AVC/DOS) at UC Santa Barbara. In her campus leadership role, Katya demonstrates broad concern for issues that pertain to the quality of student life of UCSB students; facilitates problem-solving and crisis response; promotes inclusion in the campus community and equitable access to UC Santa Barbara learning environment by students of all identities and liaises between students and University administration by listening broadly to student input and representing student perspectives and interests.
She is a trained facilitator for The Leadership Challenge Workshop®, teaches a leadership course at the UC Santa Barbara Gervitz Graduate School of Education, and works on special projects, especially around campus climate and diversity. In addition, Katya is involved in several local nonprofits, including her membership in Leading From Within (board of directors and co-instructor for their Emerging Leaders Program). She is a co-facilitator for Antioch University’s Women in Leadership Certificate Program, sits on the Board of Directors for Women’s Economic Venture, and is a senior consultant for Equity Practice Group, facilitating DEI-related workshops for businesses and nonprofits, as well as a partner with The DH Effect whose mission is guiding individuals, families, companies, and organizations to personal accountability, high-trust relationships and belonging.
Kristen Miller
Executive Director of the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce
Kristen Miller leads the Chamber as President & CEO with over 25 years of experience. Prior to the merger of the Santa Barbara, Goleta and Carpinteria Chambers of Commerce, Miller led the Goleta Chamber team since 2002, coming from the Corning, New York Chamber of Commerce. Under her leadership, the Chamber has been a catalyst for business, running robust public policy and economic development programs.
She has continued her professional education with extensive training in visitor services, destination marketing, economic development, and community relations, since her degree from New York University. She has served on several local boards including Santa Barbara County Workforce Development Board, Housing Trust Fund of Santa Barbara County, Visit Santa Barbara, Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital Foundation, and UCSB Economic Forecast Project.
About LEAP
LEAP: Learn. Engage. Advocate. Partner. mitigates the effects of poverty, racism, and trauma by providing high-quality, trauma-informed child care, comprehensive, culturally sensitive family support, and visionary community leadership.
We envision a community where children are loved, valued, and respected and families are supported to reach their highest potential. For more information, visit www.leapcentralcoast.org
