Ashley Costa, executive director of the Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization (LVCHO) has been recognized as one of Santa Barbara County’s Women of the Year by California State Sen. Monique Limón.
The annual honor, awarded in celebration of Women’s History Month, recognizes outstanding women from each Senate and Assembly district for their remarkable contributions to their communities.
The Women of the Year awards ceremony took place recently at the Braille Institute of Santa Barbara, where Costa was honored alongside several other distinguished women making a profound impact across the region.
A third-generation Lompoc native, Costa has dedicated more than a decade to advancing health and wellness in the Lompoc Valley. She joined LVCHO 12 years ago, and has served as its executive director for some 10 years, spearheading initiatives that promote health equity, wellness, and community resilience.
Under her leadership, LVCHO, headquartered in Lompoc, has expanded its impact through innovative programs addressing food security, physical activity, behavioral health, and healthcare access.
“I am proud to honor Ashley Costa as one of the district’s 2025 Women of the Year for her critical work supporting the health and well-being of Lompoc residents,” said Limón.
“Ashley has been an important partner for our healthcare community by working on transformative initiatives, bringing stakeholders together to meet the needs of our community, and fostering a better relationship with healthcare providers and those they serve,” she said. “Congratulations to Ashley and her team at the Lompoc Valley Community Healthcare Organization for this well-earned achievement.”
Costa has a history of community service. At just 23, she was elected to the Lompoc City Council. She co-chaired the Yes 4 Lompoc Kids committee, which led the successful passage of Measure M, the first Lompoc Unified School District bond measure to pass in two decades.
She was co-chair of the Lompoc Community Track & Field renovation campaign, securing a record-breaking $1.7 million in private contributions, the largest in the district’s history.
Costa has been an advocate for school wellness policies, food access programs, and healthcare equity. She has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including Veggie Rescue, Leading From Within, and the Santa Barbara County School Wellness Council.
“I am deeply honored to be recognized alongside such incredible women who are making a meaningful impact in our communities,” said Costa.
“This recognition is a testament to the power of collaboration and the unwavering dedication of our team at LVCHO, as well as our partners and community members. Together, we are building a healthier, stronger Lompoc, and I am excited to continue this important work,” she said.
Costa joins other Santa Barbara County honorees, including Gina M. Gonzales-Carbajal (Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara); Lori Lander Goodman (LEAP: Learn. Engage. Advocate. Partner); Roberta Jaffe (Condor’s Hope Vineyard); Dr. Katrina B. Mitchell (Sutter Health); and Wendy Sims-Moten (First 5 Santa Barbara County).
Learn more about the California Senate District 21 Women of the Year honorees at https://sd21.senate.ca.gov/woman-year. For more about LVCHO, visit www.healthylompoc.org.