The Community Environmental Council (CEC) recently welcomed new staff members as it expands its climate action across the Central Coast region. The CEC added three new staff members and transitioned three to new titles in recent months.

New staff members include:

Katie Hershfelt, communications and marketing director, joined CEC in 2014 as a Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival production partner and communications consultant. She also played a key role in establishing the communications and marketing plan for the Santa Barbara County Food Action Network, a sustainable, local food system initiative CEC helped establish.

In her new role she leads the development and implementation of equitable, inclusive and effective communications to engage and activate community members across all of CEC’s programs.

A 20-year Santa Barbara resident, Hershfelt holds a bachelor’s degree in international studies from UC Irvine.

Tiffany Sgueglia, development database manager, joined CEC in 2024 to advance CEC’s ability to build, grow, and sustain strong donor relationships. She previously worked as the development manager for Wags and Walks in Los Angeles, and as senior program manager for Second Harvest of Silicon Valley.

At Second Harvest, she established key partnerships; led a region-wide COVID-19 relief strategy; and distributed groceries to some 500,000 people. Sgueglia holds a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Arizona.

Kat Orellana, climate programs associate, joined CEC in 2024 to support climate justice outreach and community engagement. Before joining CEC, she worked on endangered species conservation projects, and researched the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of the tourism industry on communities and the environment.

Orellana seeks to empower communities to implement climate solutions that benefit people and the planet. She holds a dual bachelor of science in biology and environmental sciences from Duke University and a master of environmental science and management from the Bren School at UCSB.

Three staff members transitioned to new titles within CEC:
• Jillian Hall, senior communications associate (previously communications associate)
• Sean McArthur, climate projects manager (previously climate programs associate)
• Michael Sarrassat, climate program operations manager (previously climate programs manager)

Visit www.cecsb.org to see full bios for CEC’s staff members.