The Association for Women in Communications – Santa Barbara (AWC-SB) will honor four outstanding leaders in education at the 2024 Women of Achievement Awards luncheon, 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 1 at Cabrillo Pavilion.

Yolanda Medina-Garcia
Yolanda Medina-Garcia
Susan Salcido
Susan Salcido

The honorees are: Katya Armistead, assistant vice chancellor and dean of student life at UCSB; Yolanda Medina-Garcia, retired director of Starr King Parent-Child Workshop and SBCC educator; Susan Salcido, Santa Barbara County superintendent of schools; and Wendy Sims-Moten, executive director of First 5 Santa Barbara County.

The annual Women of Achievement Awards recognizes exemplary women communicators, providing inspiring role models for women pursuing careers in journalism, public speaking, writing, public relations, filmmaking, photography, and related disciplines.

Katya Armistead
Katya Armistead
Wendy Sims-Moten
Wendy Sims-Moten

Armistead, Medina-Garcia, Salcido and Sims-Moten embody this year’s theme Lessons in Leadership: Connecting & Communicating as Education Evolves, AWC-SB said.

Emcee for the luncheon will be Catherine Remak, host of radio shows at KLITE 101.7 and KDB 93.7. Remak was an honoree at the Women of Achievement event in 2009.

“This year’s honorees are powerful women who demonstrate that effective leadership and change in education comes from dedication, dynamic engagement, and nonstop communication,” according to AWC-SB. “As individuals and collectively, they capture the essence of leadership recognized by the Women of Achievement event.”

For more information about the event and the honorees, visit AWC-SB Women of Achievement.

“It is a privilege to be recognized by AWC-SB and honored with a remarkable group of women educators who serve as strong leaders and communicators in our field,” said Salcido.

“Communications and education truly go hand-in-hand. From navigating crisis communications in times of urgency to disseminating vital information to students, families, and our school community, effective communication forms the backbone of educational success,” she said. “The vitality of our schools depends on communication that is not only timely, but engaging, accurate, and meaningful.”

Luncheon tickets to the luncheon are available at AWC-SB Women of Achievement. Tickets cost $90 for members, $100 for non-members. After March 29, prices will be $100 for members, $115 for non-members.

Funds raised support ongoing professional development opportunities offered by AWC-SB throughout the year.

Limited additional sponsorship opportunities are available until March 20. Contact emailnews@awcsb.org for more information.