Secretary
Ana Papakhian joined Camerata Pacifica as Executive Director in 2023, a new pinnacle benchmark advancing her career in the classical music business. This vibrant chamber music nonprofit is an ensemble of the world’s finest and most personable international artists who present unique concerts, creatively commissioned premiere works, and accessible high definition performances via the Nightingale Channel, an extensive video resource for hospitals and more. Ana’s major career highlights include tenures as the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for the Music Academy of the West and Director of Communications for The Cleveland Orchestra and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. She began her professional life singing with the New Orleans Opera, then launched her administrative work in New York City, where she joined the staff of the Piatigorsky Foundation, and subsequently served as Personal Assistant to the legendary opera singer Marilyn Horne, who became her inspirational mentor.
Treasurer
Lisa Osborn is a radio broadcaster and entrepreneur. As the news and public affairs director at KCSB FM 91.9, the community and college radio station at UC Santa Barbara, she advises student leaders and trains volunteer reporters. In addition to doing voice-over narrations and producing on-hold messages and audio messaging prompts, Lisa is also executive producer/narrator of Santa Barbara Scenic, a YouTube travel channel spotlighting activities and destinations on the Central Coast. Prior to moving to Santa Barbara in 2015, Lisa anchored news at some of the top news/talk radio stations in Los Angeles. Lisa’s newest project — Moment of Truth: Sorting Fact from Fiction in the Misinformation Age —is also near to her heart. Supported by a grant from the Association for Women in Communications Advancement Fund, and the fiscal sponsorship of the Santa Barbara Foundation, Lisa works with fellow Santa Barbara Journalists/AWC-SB members Starshine Roshell and Amy Marie Orozco to provide free workshops to teach the community how to be savvy, responsible media consumers.
Director, Media
Jennifer LeMay serves as the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Santa Barbara City College Foundation, developing strategies to increase support for the Foundation and its mission of fueling excellence at SBCC by enriching college programs, removing barriers, and empowering students to succeed. Jennifer has worked in the communications field for over two decades. She also served as a faculty member at SBCC in the Graphic Design and Multimedia Arts departments, and is a contributing writer for Edible Santa Barbara magazine. In her free time, she loves watching and photographing birds, painting, and enjoying life in Santa Barbara. Connect with Jennifer on Instagram at @jlemayart.
Director, Membership
Leana Orsua is a former TV news reporter and anchor who has worked at stations in Texas, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Alabama, and locally at Santa Barbara’s KEYT-TV and KSBY-TV – the NBC affiliate in San Luis Obispo, where she served as Chief Bureau Reporter. During her time as a reporter at the Santa Barbara News-Press, she also covered local stories in print. Orsua is a proud 3rd generation Santa Barbara native and grew up attending local schools where she developed her passion for writing at a young age. Over the past 14 years, Orsua has used her communication skills to work in the non-profit sector. She has held fundraising roles at both the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. In 2020, Orsua co-wrote a compilation with 11 other authors, which became an international best-selling book.
Co-Director, Women of Achievement
Brooke Holland is a Public Relations Manager at Visit Santa Barbara, where she maximizes earned media in target markets, as well as generates new awareness and renewed interest in the Santa Barbara South Coast as a travel destination. She also arranges press trips and provides support to travel and lifestyle media. Prior to that role, Brooke served as a staff writer at the Pacific Coast Business Times. She also worked as a reporter at Noozhawk. While there, Brooke was among 21 journalists from around the nation who were accepted into the data fellowship program at the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and collateral in communication from Cal State Northridge, where she worked as editor in chief and managing editor for The Sundial. She was also a news reporter for the Santa Barbara City College publication, The Channels.
Co-Director, Women of Achievement
Judith Smith-Meyer came to UCSB from provincial South Pasadena in the fall and winter of record El Niño rains in 1983 and thought she’d landed in wet-zone heaven! By way of mechanical engineering, she graduated with a linguistics BA and got her professional clear teaching credential after that. She currently serves as Director of Marketing & Communications for the Santa Barbara Foundation. Previously, she led marketing for the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, did for-profit marketing for a global curriculum website for teachers and did writing and publicity for 10 years in her early career with UCSB Arts & Lectures. She also taught high school and junior high English and ELD in San Jose, right out of school, and for five years in Santa Barbara public schools when her kids went to grade school. She’s proud to serve on the board for AWC-SB and on the board of La Boheme Dance, with whom she also performs and enjoys a deep sisterhood of women dancing outside their comfort zones. She’s a proud mom of two wonderful young adult men and loves to garden, paddle, hike, travel, and more recently, lift weights, with some yoga, meditation and praying mixed in.
Director, Digital Media
Tamesha Schumacher, M.B.A is an entrepreneur and world traveler. She is an accomplished professional who enjoyed a 20+ year career in the strategic procurement business areas of the Entertainment Media and Biotech industries. She has a passion for unique experiences and resolving business challenges. Driven by a desire to apply her strategic procurement knowledge toward a personal passion, Tamesha founded The Tea & Candle Company, LLC, an ecommerce business specializing in curated loose leaf tea blends and coconut wax candles. Her business has gained a loyal following of niche customers who appreciate the luxurious yet sustainable nature of each product. In addition, Tamesha is an independent contractor, providing strategic sourcing and procurement services to small businesses, individuals and family estates. Tamesha’s love for exploration and curiosity about different cultures has taken her to various corners of the globe. Her extensive travels have broadened her business perspective and enriched her understanding of diverse cultures and traditions. This unique global perspective informs her approach to product development, her commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing practices for both her and her client’s business needs.
Director, Social Media
Claudia Dunn has been a Screen Actors Guild member, professional actor and voiceover artist since 1992. She holds B.A. degrees in both Theatre and Dance from the U. of Maryland and a M.A. from USC. Her background includes serving on the White House staff over two administrations as a Press Office reporter. She also owned and operated a thriving L.A. Occupational Therapy private practice of 20 years. Claudia has narrated numerous audiobooks and provided Audio Description narration for the blind on over 1,000 Film & TV titles, including several Masterpiece Theatre series, the recent Oscar-winning documentary, 20 Days in Mariupol, I am: Celine Dion and the upcoming film Conclave. A long time L.A. resident, by way of Boston & Washington, D.C., Claudia made Santa Barbara her home in 2018. She has since joined the SBMA Women’s Board having served on its Executive Committee, has had the pleasure of presenting on audiobook narration to the SB Writers Conference and on the art of Voiceover to the SBIFF Film Camp. Claudia is honored to continue serving on the AWC-SB Board in support of its membership of dynamic professional women communicators.
Director, Events
Jamie Knee, known as the Petite Wine Traveler, is a distinguished Santa Barbara Wine Expert, Wine TV Presenter, International Wine Judge, and Wine Writer with a decade of industry experience. Specializing in Santa Barbara, California, and Spanish wines. Jamie curates tasting experiences at resorts, restaurants, festivals, and private wine travel events globally, consulting for the Ritz-Carlton Bacara to enhance their wine programs. A prolific writer, Jamie authors PetiteWineTraveler.com and is a weekly wine columnist for the Montecito Journal. She has contributed to The Slow Wine Guide, Santa Barbara Independent, and Santa Barbara Lifestyles, as well as prestigious wine publications like Somm Journal, Tasting Panel, and Napa Magazine. As a Television Presenter, Jamie showcases wine selections on local news stations, including News Channel 312. She is an esteemed Wine Judge, evaluating wines in global competitions, and holds numerous certifications, including Certified Specialist of Wine, WSET, and Spanish Wine Scholar. Jamie is active in professional organizations like the AWC-SB, Circle of Wine Writers, Women of the Vine & Spirit, Central Coast Wine Community and the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association. She also presents, speaks, and emcees at local wine, arts, and lifestyle events.
Director, Hospitality
Beverly Herrera has been a real estate agent and broker since 1993. After a distinguished career in the Bay Area she moved to Santa Barbara to be closer to her family. She joined her daughter Mia to continue their mother daughter team, Mia & Beverly Team. Together, they have helped hundreds of clients achieve their dream of homeownership, particularly in the stunning Santa Barbara Central Coast area. Known for their unwavering commitment to excellence, Mia and Beverly provide timely and concise communication, ensuring every client receives the highest level of service. Their deep-rooted knowledge and passion for real estate began in Silicon Valley and the Tri-Valley Bay Area In the 1990s. They bring this wealth of experience to the Santa Barbara region. Beverly writes a weekly blog to help buyers and sellers navigate the ever-changing real estate market and publishes it on their website. In addition, she writes about the numerous events in the Santa Barbara region and is in the process of creating a weekly calendar.