Shakira Miracle is a system solution designer, stakeholder collaboration facilitator, and social justice and planet advocate who loves engaging with people, listening to their stories, finding common ground, and building trust. When she’s not spending quality time exploring nature with her husband and two boys, you can find Shakira taste testing her favorite fruits at a local farm stand, farmers market, or straight out of the field when not falling in a ditch of said berry field. Learn more about Shakira’s expertise.

Why I love blackberries: When I lived in British Columbia, Canada, blackberries grew wild everywhere. Every summer while walking the dog or pushing my little ones in the stroller, I would pick them along the path and eat them. As the kids got a little older, they’d pick their own blackberries. They’d have constant blackberry stains on their faces, hands, and shoes. I loved it. They’re also low on the glycemic index and have fiber.

A proud first-generation Mexican-American who was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ, Mirella is currently pursuing higher education in Psychology. She and her husband are Marine Corps Veterans,  who met while serving, and together they have two wonderful children. Having lived in several different states, they have first-hand experience with the food insecurities that exist in a one-income household. She is so proud to be working with SBCFAN; the welcoming yet mission-oriented force has motivated her to strive toward a well-structured food network within Santa Barbara County.

Why I love beans: my first memory of food is a bowl of beans. They have always been so filling, and brought a sense of “home” wherever life takes me. I ultimately wish I could’ve been more prepared in life by knowing;  I would compare ALL beans to my mom’s Frijoles de Oya.

Lisa is a systems-minded creative professional with more than 25 years experience in developing marketing and communication strategies for small businesses and nonprofits. When she’s not puzzling on every available surface in the house she shares with her husband and two grown kids, you can find her at the farmers market trying not to spend all of her allowance. Learn more about Lisa’s expertise.

Why I love blueberries: I fell in love with blueberries (and blackberries, raspberries, huckleberries, basically EVERYberries…) when we lived in the Pacific Northwest, where berries can grow to the size of small houses. That was 20 years ago, and I can still eat them until I have a stomach ache from eating too many. Aren’t they a superfood? I can get behind that.

My name is Gus Albertsen ( Augustus Albertsen is my full name , but I like to go by Gus😀) . I just graduated from CSU Monterey Bay with a Bachelors Of Arts In Environmental studies. I enjoy protecting the environment , but I think that sometimes you (we) need to be realistic about how far citizens should go to protect the environment.I want to balance environmental protection with having a great life and typically that means going back to business as usual, but that is not bad. I am much more interested in solving the waste problem with respect to food and plastic. I am equally interested in collaborating with the agricultural sector and work with them on organic farming and more sustainable farming practices.

I was born with a brain injury known as Cerebral Palsy that affects my motor control ( how I move around. )
I grew up in Santa Barbara ( love Santa Barbara) and I wanted to study Environmental Studies because I wanted to help figure out the many different environmental issues we face. I enjoy working and doing food related research with the Food Action Network because I want to find new and healthy eating and growing practices for all.

I love kale from the garden. Chopped and Massaged with olive oil and salt.
Try it, you’ll love it!

With a formal background in graphic design, Andrew has 20 years experience in brand development, user experience, and communications design, focusing on usability and beauty. Toting his camera everywhere since age 13, he enjoys editorial photography of people and places, usually with an eye toward a larger story. His portraits aim to capture sincere moments, highlighting the ways we are alike as humans, even if our passions differ. When he’s not taste testing cultural foods while globetrotting with his better half, you can find Andrew chatting up and taking photos of whomever he runs into on the street. Learn more about Andrew’s expertise and find him on Instagram.

Why I love rainbow chard: It’s yummy, colorful, and I’m all about LGBTQ+ Pride.

Andrew and Lisa Hill co-founded Pharos Creative, a branding firm that helps clients with marketing and communications strategy, design, and photography. First launched in 1996 as a multimedia firm, their focus was on helping organizations and small businesses share their stories. Over the last few decades, they have worked with clients across the globe to clearly identify their audience and create targeted marketing strategies.

Through their work with the Community Environmental Council, Andrew and Lisa learned about the Food Action Plan, a project that immediately appealed to their love of food as it relates to place and passion for helping to expand food access in our region. Together, they designed marketing collateral and a website for the Plan, eventually becoming involved with the early stages of the Network. They continue to play an important role in the strategic direction and development of SBCFAN.

What does a successful Food Action Network look like?
Increased food access, expanded funding for farms, and the Network serving as a model that other communities can emulate to achieve greater food resiliency.

“Santa Barbara County – we love the place and the people. Food is a level playing field in the sense that everyone needs it, but it’s NOT in the sense that everybody doesn’t have equal access to it. This is an opportunity to do really impactful work and use our skills.”

Mercury Press International has been creating award-winning content for magazines, newspapers, books, television, and streaming since 1991. Today, owners Nancy Black and Isaac Hernandez focus on crafting moving and inspiring films for their many nonprofit clients, including Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, Community Environmental Council, and SBCFAN.  

An early partner of the Network, Nancy and Isaac love that the work we accomplish together is directly fulfilling a promise to create a better world and has local impact – extending to their own neighborhood. 

Their skills and talents have helped the Network craft stories that foster conversation around strengthening the local food system. “Every single story is an opportunity to learn about communities doing something awesome. Film gets to your soul… it is a way to empower and uplift people into action. Our hope is that the films we produce for SBCFAN not only inspire our local audience to begin the process of creating this system but become ideas that can be replicated by a wider audience in their own communities.”

What does a successful Food Action Network look like?
The possibility that together we create a closed-looped economically vibrant food system that provides healthy food to all of our community. 

“The Network provides resilience for the community we live in and we all eat so securing our food system just seems smart.” 

– Nancy Black

“Every single story is an opportunity to learn about communities doing something awesome,” says Nancy Black.

Who are we? Military Spouses!
This pool of unique & talented personalities is where a significant amount of our assistants are chosen. The drive and dedication of our assistants is astounding & we know we have a great fit for your team!

Estrat Solutions has worked with local, State, and Federal agencies in the United States on urban planning, disaster relief, and water resource management. The principal, Rubayi Estes, spent the last 13 years in different capacities with community-based organizations (domestic and international) and, most recently, as the VP of programs at the Santa Barbara Foundation.

Estrat Solutions has also worked as an independent evaluation and strategy consultant on projects for World Bank, Orfalea Foundation, Root Change, Save the Children, California State Office of the Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications, and Oxfam International.

The EDC creates confident, connected and directed business owners, civic leaders, and community partners by providing tools to build pathways for economic development.

Bridging Voices-Uniendo Voces, LLC provides consulting services, training and professional interpretation, and translation services focused on equity, diversity, inclusion, and language justice. With more 10 years of experience, owner Lena Moran Acereto uses an educational, research based approach with a lens of equity to create inclusive, multilingual spaces where all voices are valued. Through her work with the Community Environmental Council, Bridging Voices cultivated a partnership with SBCFAN, providing interpretation for webinars and supporting the development of a language justice plan for the Network. 

“The Network really understands the value of bringing all voices in – the commitment to diversity and inclusion drew me to SBCFAN. As an eater, I am becoming more curious about local food system options and what we can do to ensure that the Santa Barbara community has access to a just, equitable food system.”

What does a successful Food Action Network look like?
Embedding language justice into the culture of the work so that everyone can join the conversation and have a voice at the table.