Inaugural Leadership Series Discussion

By United Way

United Way of Santa Barbara County’s Young Leaders Society (YLS) will welcome Montecito Bank & Trust Chairman & CEO Janet Garufis on June 15 to its inaugural Leadership Series discussion, designed to encourage purpose-driven leadership in the Santa Barbara community.

This special event will be open to the community 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 15, at The Sandbox, 414 Olive Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Tickets are $5 for YLS members and $15 for nonmembers. RSVP here. Food from Kings Wings and beer from Pure Order Brewing Co. will be available for purchase.

“Janet Garufis is an incredibly inspiring community member and we’re thrilled that we’ll be able to learn more about her personal story and what drives her to do so much good for those in need,” said Steve Ortiz, United Way of Santa Barbara County CEO. “This will definitely be a great way to kick off the new Leadership Series, and we hope you can join us.”

Garufis entered the banking industry more than 40 years ago as a teller and joined Montecito Bank & Trust in 2004, with a promotion to President in 2006. Her extensive history of community service includes being a trustee, board of directors member, board president and/or co-chair for many organizations and foundations. Garufis has also earned many awards and recognitions, including being named one of American Banker’s 25 Most Powerful Women to Watch in 2015. Earlier this year she was honored as the Santa Barbara Foundation’s Woman of the Year.

Each Leadership Series event will be led by a different local leader and will feature his or her personal narrative of leadership and what giving back to the community means for them. For more, visit http://www.unitedwaysb.org.

About Young Leaders Society

Young Leaders Society (YLS) was formed to provide community involvement and personal development opportunities for young professionals. This unique and dynamic group offers its members multiple avenues to become involved with various United Way and community initiatives, to directly make a difference in people’s lives, and to ultimately become leaders in our community. For more information, please visit http://www.unitedwelead.org/.

About United Way of Santa Barbara County

United Way of Santa Barbara County (UWSBC) has the unique and positive vision that “in our community, everyone has a hopeful future.” Since 1923, UWSBC has served Santa Barbara County community through funding, volunteer development, and by utilizing its own unique initiatives that involve dozens of local non-profit and public sector agencies. UWSBC’s local community driven Power of Partnership™ priorities help children, families & seniors with a focus on Education, Income and Health.