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.
Armistead is the assistant vice chancellor and dean of student life at UC Santa Barbara. Miller is executive director of the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce.
“Katya and Kristen are amazing community champions,” said Lori Goodman, executive director at LEAP. “Katya, with her passion for mentoring and supporting students at UCSB, and Kristen who has really championed childcare with her work at the chamber.
“We were thrilled to honor them for their outstanding service.”
The virtual ceremony on Feb. 29, hosted by Goodman and Ernesto Paredes, Easy Lift Transportation executive director, featured interviews with Armistead and Miller, as well as Jordan Killebrew, executive director of public affairs and communications at Santa Barbara City College; and William Macfadyen, 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 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,” Miller said. “The chamber is deeply invested in highlighting this as a fundamental need within our local economy.
“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 recognizing Armistead and Miller, 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.
Armistead is a student-focused administrator with some 30 years of experience. In her campus leadership role at UCSB, she demonstrates concern for issues pertaining to the quality of student life; facilitates problem-solving and crisis response; promotes inclusion in the campus community and equitable access to UCSB learning environment by students of all identities.
She is a trained facilitator for the Leadership Challenge Workshop, teaches a leadership course at the UCSB Gervitz Graduate School of Education, and works on special projects, especially around campus climate and diversity.
Armistead is involved in local nonprofits, including Leading From Within. She is a co-facilitator for Antioch University’s Women in Leadership Certificate Program, sits on the Women’s Economic Venture Board of Directors, and is a senior consultant for Equity Practice Group.
Miller is president/CEO of the chamber 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 Miller’s leadership, the chamber has been a catalyst for business, running robust public policy and economic development programs.
She has continued her professional education with training in visitor services, destination marketing, economic development, and community relations, since her degree from New York University.
Miller 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.
LEAP mitigates the effects of poverty, racism and trauma by providing quality, trauma-informed child care, comprehensive, culturally sensitive family support, and visionary community leadership.
For more, visit www.leapcentralcoast.org.