Leslie Dinaburg and Jennifer LeMay, AWC-SB Board Members
Sunday, May 12, 2024 | 5:49pm
The theme is Leadership lessons: Connecting and communicating as education evolves. Katia Armistead, assistant vice chancellor and director of student life at UCSB, among four outstanding leaders in education; Yolanda Medina Garcia, former director of Starr King Parent-Child Workshop and SBCC educator. Susan Salcido, Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools; Wendy Sims Moten, executive director of Santa Barbara County First 5, was honored as a Woman of Merit by the Communications Women of Santa Barbara (AWC-SB) at a May 1 luncheon.
Hosted by Women Connect4Good as lead sponsor, more than 150 guests, including AWC-SB members, public officials, and sponsors, filled the historic Cabrillo Pavilion to celebrate the award winners and their work that embodies this year's theme . Moderated by radio personality Kathryn Lemak, she led a discussion highlighting the communication skills that all of the honorees bring to their day-to-day work.
“Celebrating education champions highlights the critical role that communication plays in their leadership journeys,” said AWC-SB Board Chair Hilary Lynn. . “The impact of their work highlights the importance of effective dialogue in driving positive change and shaping future generations.”
The winners shared the joys and challenges of communication at work. They have insight on a variety of topics including verbal and nonverbal personal communication, transparency, navigating social media, and using new technology to send messages to students, parents, and community members. I did.
“Communication is key,” Sims-Moten said. “And learning and listening lasts forever.” All honorees emphasized the importance of being true to yourself, being respectful, and “being civil and honest.” They also stated several times that children should be encouraged to be creative, bold, sociable, and get outside. Medina Garcia, who has worked with parents and young children for decades, noted the role of nonverbal communication and the importance of being real. She said, “Kids know if you're honest.”
Towards the end of the discussion, the winners were asked to give advice for effective communication to the younger generation. “I encourage young people to stay curious and take the time to research before jumping to answers and soundbites,” Salcido says. The other honorees said they hope adults will model civic engagement and encourage newcomers to have honest and positive conversations and become lifelong learners.
“Individually and collectively, this year’s honorees embody the essence of leadership recognized at the AWC-SB Women of Achievement event, which recognizes exemplary women communicators, journalism, It provides an inspiring role model for women pursuing careers in areas such as speaking, writing, public relations, filmmaking, photography, and related fields,” said Jennifer LeMay, AWC-SB board member. I did.
AWC-SB helps women develop and deepen the communication skills they need to succeed in a variety of fields, and is supported by President Hilary S. Lynn and board members Leslie Dinaburg, Claudia Dunn, Jerrol Golden, Brooke Holland, Carolyn Jabbs, Lauren Bianchi Cleman, Monica Kuntz, Jennifer LeMay, Kim Ofilas, Lisa Osborne, Anna Papakian, Judith Smith-Meyer, Joan Tapper, Macy Tao. The organization was founded in 2006 by her communications consultant Lois Phillips, publisher Mindy Bingham, and producer Deborah Hutchison. For more information, see awcsb.org.