[Noozhawk’s note: One in a series on the Santa Ynez Valley Foundation’s 2024 Champions of the Valley who will be honored for their volunteerism and community service Oct. 13 at Rancho Carmina in Los Olivos. Click here for more information, or click here to purchase tickets online.]
Charlotte Dicke Becerra’s impact on this idyllic corner of California is immeasurable.
From the bustling streets of San Francisco to the rolling hills of the Santa Ynez Valley, her journey is one of passion, purpose and an unwavering commitment to community service.
Her story begins in the Bay Area, where she graduated from Crystal Springs Uplands School in Hillsborough before earning a B.A. in Latin American Studies at UC Berkeley.
But it was her lifelong love of horses that would eventually lead her to the place she now calls home.
“If there is a heaven, Santa Ynez is the gateway,” Charlotte’s husband, Ramon Becerra, often says.
It’s a sentiment that resonates deeply with Charlotte, who first discovered the valley’s magic in 1993 during vacations spent riding Peruvian horses and working at Mortensen’s Danish Bakery in Solvang.
After graduation, Charlotte’s professional path took her into the world of publishing. She purchased a small magazine, Conquistador: The World of Spanish Horses, which ignited her passion for the industry.
Her career would take her to San Francisco and Los Angeles, where she worked in circulation for various magazines and became a respected voice in the field, lecturing at conferences throughout North America on internet direct marketing.
But the allure of Santa Ynez never faded. In 2003, Charlotte returned to the valley, this time for both horses and love.
She married Becerra, a famed horse trainer, in 2007, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Katherine, the following year.
Life, however, had more challenges in store. The 2008 financial crisis forced Charlotte to close her two award-winning magazines, Peruvian Horse Quarterly and Conquistador.
It was a turning point that led her to focus on raising her daughter and assisting Ramon with his various endeavors, including managing his saddle shop, Santa Ynez Saddlery, for five years.
In 2017, Charlotte embarked on a new venture, opening her own boutique, Charlotte’s of Santa Ynez, at 3547 Sagunto St.
But it’s her tireless work as a community volunteer that truly sets her apart.
“If you want to make a difference in your life, act locally,” a friend once told Charlotte. It’s advice she’s taken to heart, throwing herself into numerous local causes with boundless energy and dedication.
Charlotte’s volunteer résumé is impressive by any standard. She serves on the boards of the Santa Ynez Chamber of Commerce, Santa Ynez Valley Rotary Club and the Santa Ynez Valley Equestrian Association.
She’s a key figure in organizing major community events like Old Santa Ynez Days and the Fourth of July Festival & Fireworks.
Her involvement with the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum spans years, including four years on the Board of Directors and ongoing roles as an adviser and Vaquero Show committee member.
But it’s not just the quantity of her involvement that’s noteworthy — it’s the quality. In each role, Charlotte goes above and beyond, bringing creativity, thoroughness and a genuine passion for making a difference.
Take, for instance, her work with student scholarships. As Youth Service chairwoman for the Santa Ynez Valley Rotary, Charlotte identified a critical need for skilled trades workers and spearheaded a new scholarship program to address it.
This involved not just creating the program, but also working closely with local high school teachers and counselors, writing the scholarship application, presenting to classrooms, and even designing backpacks filled with personal protective equipment for the recipients.
Her attention to detail extends to every aspect of her volunteer work. For the Old Santa Ynez Days event, Charlotte manages everything from logistics and volunteers to vendors and permits.
As a board member of the Santa Ynez Chamber of Commerce, which effectively serves as the town council, she dedicates countless hours to supporting the community’s needs.
Charlotte’s commitment to preserving and celebrating local history is evident in her long-standing involvement with the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum.
Her work has been instrumental in creating educational programs and ensuring the continuation of the annual Vaquero Show, the museum’s largest fundraiser.
“Charlotte exemplifies the heart of our community through her unwavering enthusiasm and hands-on commitment,” said Chris Urquidez, board president of the Santa Ynez Valley Foundation, which will honor her as a 2024 Champion of the Valley on Oct. 13.
“Her tireless work with community events, nonprofit organizations, and scholarships for youth reflects a deep passion for making a difference, inspiring others to follow her lead.”
What drives the dedication? For Charlotte, it’s simple:
“This Valley is one of the most special places that I have ever known,” she said. “It’s not just its fairy tale beauty but the people who reside here; I have never lived in an area with such a strong sense of community.
“So, in a nutshell, I do it because this Valley is worth it.”
Champions of the Valley
Since 1995, the Santa Ynez Valley Foundation has been honoring exceptional local volunteers whose tireless community commitment enriches the Santa Ynez Valley and Los Alamos, their residents and a wide range of local organizations.
This year’s Champions of the Valley honorees are Charlotte Dicke Becerra, Dave Bemis, Donna Hinsbeeck, Ann Foxworthy Lewellen, and Debra and Brad Vidro.
Youth Community Champions are Lizbeth Ortiz Aguilera, Rafael Beleski and Emma Tesdahl.
Sherry Musgrove will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award and the late David Crosby will be honored with the Stuart C. Gildred Senior Visionary Award.
The awards will be presented at 4 p.m. Oct. 13 at Rancho Carmina in Los Olivos. Click here for more information, or click here to purchase tickets online.
The Champions of the Valley celebration is sponsored by U.S. Bank Private Wealth Management, the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, the Ann Jackson Family Foundation, Noozhawk, The Landsby, Allan Hancock College, Visit the Santa Ynez Valley and Montecito Bank & Trust.
The honorees were chosen by a panel of foundation board members and former honorees, based on nominations made by the community.
The honorees each receive a $1,000 grant to support a nonprofit organization of their choice. The Youth Community Champions each receive a $1,000 scholarship to further their education.
Santa Ynez Valley Foundation
The Santa Ynez Valley Foundation is dedicated to a mission centered around grant-making, extending financial support and resources to a diverse array of local organizations and initiatives in the Santa Ynez and Los Alamos valleys.
The grants are strategically channeled into key sectors, including health and human services, support for seniors, arts and culture, youth development, and education.
The foundation also administers a robust College Scholarship Program designed to empower ambitious college-bound local students.
More than 60 students are beneficiaries of this program, receiving scholarships to facilitate their pursuit of higher education and, in turn, contributing to the overall advancement of the community.
