The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is pleased to announce its new Board officers, as well as the addition of multiple new people to its Board of Directors, President’s Council, and staff.

New Board Officers and Addition to CEC Board of Directors

CEC’s Board of Directors, which plays a vital role in the organization’s mission and leadership, elected new officers for 2018: John H. Steed (President); Catherine Brozowski (Vice President); Dr. Karl Hutterer (Treasurer); Charles A. Newman (Secretary).

They also welcomed a new member, Kathy Yeung. Kathy is an entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in start-up and mid-size growth tech companies. She most recently co-founded SimplyBridal, an omni-channel retail and e-commerce bridal business, and was previously a General Manager at Oversee.net, an internet advertising technology company. She has served as a Partner and Board Member of the Los Angeles Social Venture Partners, as a Chair and Founding Board Member of KIPP LA Prep Charter School, and as a Board Member of The UCLA Anderson School of Management Alumni Association. Kathy has an MBA from The UCLA Anderson School of Management, and a B.A. in Economics from UCLA. Newly relocated to Carpinteria, she lives there very happily with her wife and son.

Addition to CEC President’s Council 

The President’s Council is a group of past executive directors, Board members, and founders – as well as esteemed CEC friends – who have given significantly of their time, effort and resources to the organization. They welcomed Leanne Schlinger Diebolt as a new member.

Leanne Schlinger Diebolt is a driven entrepreneur with fifteen years of experience in the hospitality industry. In 2006, she founded Santa Ynez Vacation Rentals. Her work building this luxury boutique vacation rental business earned her a “40 under 40” award by the Pacific Coast Business Times in August 2016 as well as landing her in the top three finalists of the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Foundation’s awards in the Hospitality/Tourism category for Santa Barbara County. She currently serves on the boards of MOXI and the Granada Theater. Leanne graduated cum laude from UCSB with a degree in Law and Society. Passionate about the environment, sustainable/green living, and climate change, she enjoys exploring the great outdoors and being surrounded by nature. 

Additions to CEC Staff

Allegra Roth has a background in environmental and water policy, and a passion for food system work. Before joining CEC, she worked for the California State Assembly, both as a District Representative in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, and as a Legislative Aide in the State Capitol. Working for State Legislators allowed Allegra to develop specialized skills in policy analysis and development, group facilitation, and multi-stakeholder outreach. Allegra graduated from the University of California at Davis with a B.S. in Community and Regional Development. She is working as a Food and Climate Program Associate at CEC, addressing barriers to a sustainable food system and identifying regenerative solutions.

Zachary Pettit is a Climate Corps fellow from Americorps and is supporting CEC’s Energy and Climate Program in 2018. Prior to joining CEC, Zachary held positions at CalRecycle, the Sacramento – San Joaquin Delta Conservancy, and the Environmental Policy and Science Department at UC Davis. Zachary is a recent graduate of UC Davis, with a B.S in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning. While at Davis, he discovered a great passion for sustainable energy and climate resilience. Zachary is also an award-winning student athlete, playing on the school football team all four years and twice honored for academic excellence.

About the Community Environmental Council (CEC)

Since 1970, CEC has led the Santa Barbara region – and at times California and the nation – in creative solutions to some of the toughest environmental problems. CEC pioneers real life solutions in areas with the most impact on climate change. Our programs provide pathways to clean vehicles, solar energy, resilient food systems, and reduction of single-use plastic. Find CEC on the web at www.CECSB.org and on Facebook.com/CECSB, Instagram.com/CEC_SB and Twitter.com/CECSB.