Organizing sponsor the Santa Barbara Foundation, along with Legacy Sponsor Montecito Bank & Trust, and additional sponsors Noozhawk and Bryant & Sons, Ltd. announced the 78th People of the Year, formerly Man & Woman of the Year, honorees as John Daly and Judy Stapelmann.
The two will be honored for their volunteer contributions and service to the community in a free virtual recognition event on Oct. 6. In 2022, the Santa Barbara Foundation, hoping it will be safer to gather in a large celebration, will invite the community to celebrate 2020, 2021, and 2022 honorees in person.
“A huge congratulations to John Daly and Judy Stapelmann as our 78th People of the Year,” said Jackie Carrera, president & CEO of the Santa Barbara Foundation. “It is community stewards like these that inspire all of us to give more of our time, efforts, and talents as contribution to our great region. We cannot thank them enough.”
The first Man & Woman of the Year were Harold Chase in 1942 and Pearl Chase in 1956.
Recent recipients include Tom Parker, Catherine Remak, Outstanding Couple, Michael & Marni Cooney, David Boyd, Jelinda DeVorzon, Ernesto Paredes, Joni Meisel, Janet Garufis, Jon Clark, Steve Lyons, Carol Palladini, Bill Cirone, Anne Smith Towbes, Ken Saxon, Patricia MacFarlane, Clifford W. Sponsel, Gerd Jordano, Cliff Lambert, as well as Ed Birch and Vicki Hazard. See the complete list of all former recipients.
Honorees listed in alphabetical order.
John Daly
“John Daly has proven to be one of the most outstanding leaders and contributing members to the Santa Barbara community,” said nominator Catherine Remak, former recipient, and radio show host. “Since he and his family made Santa Barbara their home in 1991, his commitment to philanthropy has made a significant difference in the lives of many residents, especially youth.”
John Daly and his family moved to Santa Barbara in 1991. He has devoted his time to helping others while serving on the boards of United Way of Santa Barbara County, Partners in Education, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), the Anti-Defamation League, the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Fighting Back Mentor program and countless behind the scenes support.
John finds joy in volunteering, especially when it comes to mentoring. He has mentored nine Santa Barbara youth and young men whose ages range from toddlers all the way to men in their 30s, and he keeps in close connection with each of them. He started 11 years ago as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate for CASA, mentoring foster children outside of his additional mentorship work.
“John founded two organizations — Key Class and Social Skills of America — to address what he saw was an inability of youth to interview confidently and have skills for careers success,” noted nominator Catherine Brozowski, executive director of the Audacious Foundation. “He recognizes that students were missing soft skills to navigate their career paths and designed these programs to address those gaps.”
Regarding John’s work with the Fighting Back Mentor Program, he has received the Penny Jenkins Mentor Championship Award. And despite COVID-19, he still shows up — albeit virtually — for those he serves.
Nominators Christine and Robert Emmons shared, “John exemplifies the essential leadership qualities for a thriving Santa Barbara County community. His experience, dedication, and creative entrepreneurship make him the perfect choice for Person of the Year.”
John’s background has led him to have a successful career creating large-scale events for international corporations and other world-renowned special events.
Judy Stapelmann
“For nearly 50 years, Judy Stapelmann has been giving back to the Santa Barbara community through her extraordinary commitment to volunteerism, community service, and philanthropy,” said nominator Sherry Madsen, former vice president of development of Planned Parenthood California Central Coast. “She has strengthened the health, education, and environmental sectors in our community.”
Judy Stapelmann has been a steadfast advocate for the community dating back five decades. Her work started with Planned Parenthood California Central Coast (PPCCC) in the 1970s as a volunteer counselor and escort at their health center.
Over the years, her work deepened with PPCCC as she became a board member. Her passion for increasing access to family planning, sexual health services, and sex education, especially with low-income teens and young women. In 1999, PPCCC recognized Judy for her voluntarism with the Jean K. Schuyler Award.
Judy’s impact goes beyond support for PPCCC. She has been deeply involved with organizations like Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Land Trust for Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, Environmental Defense Center, Wilding Museum, UCSB Foundation, and the Santa Barbara Foundation.
With a degree in Marine Biology and an ongoing interest in the ocean, Judy cares deeply for the Santa Barbara Channel, beaches, and surrounding environment.
“For at least the last twenty years, Judy has been a powerful and generous ally for our local and marine environment, supporting our mission and initiatives and serving as an ambassador for the larger community,” said nominator Owen Bailey, Executive Director of the Environmental Defense Center.
Judy’s work, both volunteer and philanthropic, has had an extraordinary impact on our region. She has served in so many capacities and numerous campaigns towards the betterment of Santa Barbara.
“Judy is a dedicated steward of the environment in Santa Barbara County, as evidenced by her extensive contributions of time and financial support not only to Santa Barbara Channelkeeper but also to the Maritime Museum, the Environmental Defense Center, and the Wildling Museum, among others,” shared nominator Kira Redmond, former Executive Director of Santa Barbara Channelkeeper. “She is also committed to important social causes like women’s reproductive health, as evidenced by her strong commitment as a volunteer and major donor to Planned Parenthood. She gives selflessly of her time, money and experience to all of these organizations and has contributed so much to so many organizations who work hard to improve the quality of life for all Santa Barbarans.”
John and Judy will be acknowledged for their efforts in a free virtual recognition ceremony. To RSVP please visit https://bit.ly/78PYAwards.
About Santa Barbara Foundation
The Santa Barbara Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Santa Barbara County for all who live, work, play and visit here. Working in partnership with individuals, community organizations, nonprofits and government, we strive to address our communities’ most challenging needs. Recognizing that our work depends on the strength of the nonprofit sector, we are committed to its health and vitality.
Nearly every Santa Barbara County nonprofit organization and essential community project has been supported by the Foundation during its 93-year history. The Foundation connects those who give with those in need – and all who dream of stronger communities. To learn more, please visit SBFoundation.org.
Jordan Killebrew is director of communications for the Santa Barbara Foundation.