In a change of leadership, the Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD), at its Jan. 13 organizational meeting, elected Katherine Carmichael as board president and Kylan Hobart as board vice president.

“Together, Carmichael and Hobart embody representation for women as the first all-woman board leadership team,” IVCSD said

“Carmichael is the first woman to serve as board president, bringing a strong background in public service and a commitment to advancing affordability, equity, environmental stewardship, and civic engagement in Isla Vista,” IVCSD said.

Hobart is a student leader ardent about social and environmental justice, with a focus on understanding and addressing infrastructure inequities in unincorporated communities.

“I am incredibly proud of all that the IVCSD has been able to achieve in this past decade, and am grateful for the leadership of our community, board, and staff that has helped bring us to this moment,” said Carmichael.

“I am beyond honored to be able to serve Isla Vista in this way, and I am excited to work with the community to collaboratively address issues important to Isla Vistans,” she said.

Spence Brandt, outgoing board president, led IVCSD through years of challenges, including COVID-19, while providing stability and a longstanding commitment to local advocacy, the organization said.

Edward Pilotte, the outgoing vice president, stepped into the leadership role in his first year on the board, bringing a voice for students to board leadership for the first time since 2021.

As Isla Vista’s first broad based-local government, IVCSD provides eight key services, including public safety, housing mediation, community facilities, parking, graffiti abatement, lighting and sidewalks, and both a municipal advisory council and area planning commission.

The board is composed of five publicly elected directors and two directors appointed by UC Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara County.