14th Annual
AWC-SB Women of Achievement Awards
Every year the Santa Barbara chapter of the Association for Women in Communications honors exceptional women who use their talents as communicators to improve our community. In 2022, the chapter honored a unique team of six resilient and courageous communicators during the annual, inspirational event that brings together prominent leaders in our community in a celebration of empowered women communicators.
Navigating Uncharted Waters
This year’s noteworthy honorees, all representing the County of Santa Barbara, epitomize this year’s theme—Navigating Uncharted Waters—as they’ve shared information and helped steer community response through months of unprecedented crises.
Gina DePinto—Communications Manager
Van Do-Reynoso—MPH, PhD, Director of Public Health
Suzanne Grimmesey—MPH Public Information Officer/Chief Quality Care and Strategy Officer, Department of Behavioral Wellness
Mona Miyasato—County Executive Officer
Terri Nisich—Assistant Chief Executive Officer
Jackie Ruiz—MPH, Public Information Officer and Health Care Program Coordinator, Public Health
with Emcee Paula Lopez
Friday, April 29, 2022
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Cabrillo Arts Pavilion
1118 E. Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara, CA 93103
#WomenOfAchievement
2022 Women of Achievement Awards Planning Committee
Women of Achievement Past Recipients
~ 2020-21 ~
“Vision, Voice, and Advocacy for a New Generation”
Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara Barbara Ben-Horin
Santa Barbara City College & Santa Barbara Women’s Political Committee Luz Reyes-Martin
~ 2019 ~
“Making a Difference With Stories that Matter”
KEYT Journalist and Anchor Beth Farnsworth
Strategic Samurai Kymberlee Weil
~ 2018 ~
“Courageous Communicators”
State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson
Dr. Carrie Hutchinson, Chair of the Communication Department SBCC
~ 2017 ~
“Inspirational Women Leaders: Communication, Empowerment, Outcomes”
Helene Schneider, Former Mayor, Santa Barbara
Patty DeDominic, Founder, International Women’s Festival
~ 2016 ~
“Women Stand Up, Speak Out”
Lois Capps, Former Congresswoman
Dr. Lois Phillips, Communications Consultant and Founder AWC-SB
~ 2015 ~
“Pioneers for Change: Communication, Community, Choice”
Sigrid Wright, Director, Earth Day Festival
Marilyn Tam, Author, The Happiness Choice
~ 2014 ~
“Giving Voice: Leadership, Education, Community”
Nancy Leffert, President. Antioch University
Marianne Partridge, Editor in Chief, Santa Barbara Independent
~ 2013 ~
“Money Matters: Journalism, Justice, and Empowerment”
Kathleen Sharp, Author, Blood Medicine
Marsha Bailey, Founder and CEO, Women’s Economic Ventures
~ 2012 ~
“From Breaking News to Awakening the Muse” Perie Longo, SB Poet Laureate Emerita
Paula Lopez, Television journalist
~ 2011 ~
“From Ink to Internet: Honoring Visionaries in Communication”
Lynda Weinman, Founder, Lynda.com
Starshine Roshell, Syndicated columnist
~ 2010 ~
“Writing Truth, Empowering Women”
Sara Miller McCune, Publisher, Sage Communications
Marcia Meier, Author and Director, SB Writers Conference
~ 2009 ~
“Championing Leaders, Building Relationships, Recognizing Excellence”
Catherine Remak, Radio host
Ann Louise Bardach, Journalist
~ 2008 ~
Producer Deborah Hutchinson
and reporters at the Santa Barbara News Press including Jane Hulse, Melinda Burns,
Dawn Hobbs, Melissa Evans, and Anna Davison
In the News
- “AWC’s Big Bash: Communicating Women Bestow Honors on Women Communicators”
- “12th Annual Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon” – Edhat
- “Farnsworth, Weil Named 2019 Women of Achievement by Santa Barbara Chapter of Association for Women in Communications” – VOICE Magazine
- 12th Annual Women of Achievement Awards in the Montecito Journal (page 28)
- “Carpinteria represents at the 12th Annual Women of Achievement Awards luncheon”
- Santa Barbara Applauds Women’s History Month Celebrate with the Santa Barbara Chapter of the Association for Women in Communications