Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network welcomes Gretchen Lieff and Connie Pearcy to the board of directors.
Lieff was elected vice president. She joined the SBWCN board after the Thomas Fire in early 2018 and has been instrumental to the organization’s growth and vision for the future.
“I can’t think of a better friend and advocate for wildlife than Gretchen. Her passion and energy are infectious and her role with SBWCN is helping the organization grow to new heights,” Executive Director Ariana Katovich said. “She truly is a strong voice for animals.”
Lieff is president and founder of La Lieff All Woman Wine Co. and owner of the 300-acre Alamo Creek Ranch in San Luis Obispo County, which includes her 40-acre vineyard. Gretchen enjoyed a long career in radio and TV news, culminating at KGO Radio/ABC News San Francisco.
She is the author of “Older and Wiser,” Ballantine Books, 2001. Lieff has a bachelor of arts degree in broadcast journalism from USC. Locally, Lieff is founder and president of the Lutah Maria Riggs Society and of Davey’s Voice, an organization that promotes animal welfare.
Pearcy is experienced in commercial real estate investing and management, and is also a boutique vintner of chardonnay in Montecito. She was trustee and past president for Lotusland (2015-2017), and advisory to Ocean Hills Covenant Church. Connie has significant non-profit board experience in our community.
“Connie brings experience, passion, and know-how to the SBWCN board,” Katovich said. “She is focused and provides wise insight into the direction of the organization and we are thrilled to have her working for wildlife.”
SBWCN is in its 31st year of operations, open 365 days a year, and has cared for almost 3,900 animals this year alone.