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Our Staff

Home About Us Our Staff
Emma Anderson

Emma Anderson, Community Engagement Specialist

Emma is passionate about helping women entrepreneurs cultivate a positive impact in their communities, in their local economies, and in their own lives as well as those of their employees. She works to engage WEV’s community in innovative ways, improving…

Berenize Ayala, Thrive Program Coordinator

Ventura County native Berenize Ayala recently joined WEV as the Thrive Program Coordinator supporting the small businesses she knows and loves. Berenize has previous experience working in the nonprofit sector and higher education, including networking and collaborating with local businesses…

Marsha Bailey, Founder and CEO Emerita

Marsha Bailey launched Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) in 1991, after three years of planning and fundraising. “The idea that women’s economic status could be improved by helping them start their own businesses was both innovative and unproven,” said Bailey. “But…

Berenice Becerra, Bilingual Marketing Coordinator

Berenice joined WEV in July of 2016. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is fluent in both English and Spanish. Her experience working in various local non-profits instilled in her a…

Marni Brook, Director of Lending

Marni recently joined WEV as the Director of Lending, however she spent many years on the Board of Directors and is very passionate about WEV’s mission.  Marni has over 24 years’ experience in community banking and lending in Santa Barbara…

Lisa Champagne-Minyard, Thrive Program Manager

Lisa began her affiliation with WEV in 2009 as an instructor for the SET course, and in September of 2011, her role expanded when she became Thrive Program Manager. Lisa’s 15 years of training, coaching and consulting experience include helping…

Meredith Donin, Development Assistant

Meredith joined WEV in June of 2016. She earned her Bachelor’s degree at UC Santa Barbara in English with an emphasis on gender studies. While a student and alumna, she spent many hours volunteering at the on-campus Women’s Center. After…
Haley Ebert

Haley Ebert, Program Coordinator – Santa Barbara County

Haley joined WEV as the Program Coordinator for Santa Barbara County in summer 2019. Her interest in mission-driven work began during her time at UC Merced, where she earned a BA in Public Health. There, Haley responded to the gendered…

Amy Fletcher, Director of Impact

Amy helps WEV maximize its credibility and effectiveness by creating and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders, evaluating and communicating program outcomes, and ensuring successful grant development and compliance. She oversees all grant writing and reporting activity, manages WEV’s client…

Ashley Goldstein, Learning Solutions Manager

Ashley Goldstein joined WEV as the Learning Solutions Manager in January 2021, bringing over 20 years of training design and delivery experience in the government, corporate, education, and non-profit sectors.  Prior to joining WEV, Ashley ran her own training consulting…
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Devon Johnson, Grant Writer

As WEV’s grant writer, Devon is responsible for securing new funding and maintaining existing funding through research and proposal development. Devon brings a unique perspective to grant writing with her financial and lending background and 10 years of experience with…

Irene Kelly, Financial Education Program Manager

Originally from Mexico City, Irene started her path in the financial industry after pursuing a degree in Finance and Entrepreneurship at the University of Utah.  She is passionate about empowering women to take control of their finances and has spent…

Kate MacNaughton, Director of Development

As Director of Development for WEV, Kate’s focus is on building financial support for the economic empowerment women.  A former Santa Barbara-based business owner herself she is thrilled to invest her time and energy with an organization that supports female…
Hannah Martin

Hannah Martin, Development Coordinator

Hannah Joined WEV as the Santa Barbara Development Coordinator in October of 2019.  She Received her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Westmont College, in May of 2019. As part of her research, Hannah focused her efforts on studying the…

Stephanie Martinez, Loan Program Assistant

Stephanie was born and raised in Oxnard, CA. She has over 20 years of experience in the administrative field in various settings such as Non-Profit and Mortgage. She has a deep desire to fulfill and exceed her personal and professional…
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Evelina Ochoa, Training Program Manager / Women’s Business Center Director

Evelina Ochoa is a native of Ventura County and the daughter of Mexico immigrants. At a young age, her fam working parents instilled the foundation of always supporting her community. Evelina is an advocate for social change, strives for social…

Kathy Odell, CEO

Kathy Odell became WEV’s CEO on January 1, 2020 upon Marsha Bailey’s retirement. Kathy is a serial entrepreneur with over 30 years of leadership experience. She began her entrepreneurial career in 1985 as co-founder Medical Concepts, Inc., which over a…

Nicki Parr, Director, Strategic Initiatives

Nicki joined WEV in April 2018 to set up the business recovery & resilience program in the aftermath of the Thomas Fire and the Montecito Debris Flow. In January 2020, she transitioned to a new role working closely with the…

Marta Quintero, Bilingual Loan Officer

Marta joined WEV in January of 2019. She has 20 years of banking experience serving both small community banks and larger financial institutions from Goleta to Oxnard.  She grew up in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley with a deep connection to…
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Nicole Raden, Program Coordinator – Ventura County

Nicole joined WEV as Program Coordinator in December 2014. She has been working in the non-profit sector for 12 years, specifically with organizations in programs designed to break the cycle of generational poverty. After a trip to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,…
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Deborah Rivas, Controller

Deborah Rivas joined WEV in November 2009.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics and Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara.  Deborah has many years of experience and knowledge and a diverse working history.  She has…

Alisa Robakowski, Senior Development Officer

Alisa brings a diverse skill set of event management, public relations, and graphic design to WEV. She has a BA in Journalism from the University of Southern California and worked in sports and entertainment public relations, including several years as…

Lysa Urban, Marketing Manager

Lysa has been a WEV volunteer and supporter for several years and is excited to be WEV’s Marketing Manager.  She brings extensive experience developing successful communication strategies for the private, public and non-profit sectors including community engagement, public relations, media…

Vanessa Valerio, Spanish Program Coordinator

Vanessa joined WEV as Spanish Program Coordinator in August of 2019. She received her bachelor’s degree in Global Studies from the University of California Santa Barbara in June of 2018. Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico Vanessa immigrated to the United States…

Photographer’s Credit

Photography courtesy of: Sarita Relis Photography:  www.saritarelis.com Pure Light Photography: www.purelightfoto.com Madeleine’s Photography: www.madphoto.com Theresa Gingras-Barns Photography, SYV Imaging Ashly Othic, Livin’ the Dream Photography Linda Blue Photography: www.labluephotography.com
Get Updates from WEV

Santa Barbara County Office

Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm

333 S. Salinas Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Tel: (805) 965-6073
Fax: (805) 962-9622

Parking is available on the street or in the parking lot off Lou Dillon Drive. WEV only has one space available in the front lot.

Ventura County Office

Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm
*Appointments are preferred; please call ahead before stopping by, as our Ventura staff members frequently work in other locations.

290 Maple Court, Suite 268
Ventura, CA 93003
Tel: (805) 667-8004
Fax: (805) 962-9622

WEV's office is located in the back of the 'Financial' building if facing the building from Maple Court.

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