An optional pop-up space for important updates or information.
Uplift Central Coast is a growing coalition powered by Central Coast residents working together toward a shared vision of a diverse, inclusive economy built by and for the region’s residents.
Alondra has been with the EDC since 2014 and recognized as a 40 under 40 leader in the Pacific Coast Business Times. As the Director of Strategic Relations, she drives the EDC’s mission for a thriving and inclusive economy, while also dedicating herself to community engagement and working with the EDC’s key partners and stakeholders for the economic vitality of the region.
Denise Silva has a background in advocacy and working on sustainable infrastructure systems that benefit local communities and promote economic growth. She is passionate about advocating for sustainable practices, policies, and investments that support long-term community development and economic prosperity in her local community.
Shelby Arthur works with organizations seeking to engage communities in regional initiatives, and she is driven by a passion for connecting people to resources and support as they work to fulfill their needs and aspirations. Her current projects with the Economic Development Collaborative include Santa Barbara County engagement for the Uplift Coalition’s CERF initiative and tri-county coordination of the Broadband Consortium Pacific Coast, leading the charge for digital equity in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. Shelby also serves the students of Santa Barbara City College as an adjunct faculty member in the Business Division.
REACH President and CEO. A community leader with a proven track record of building highly effective teams and coalitions, Melissa brings a deep background in economic development, public policy, strategic communications and public relations. A Cal Poly graduate, Melissa worked as a capitol director in the state legislature before returning to the Central Coast, where she’s been instrumental in shaping policy and advocacy for several leading organizations. Melissa serves on the workforce development board for SLO County and the Board of Directors for San Luis Coastal Education Foundation. She’s been named to the Pacific Coast Business Times’ Top 50 Women in Business and Top 40 Under 40 as well as the San Luis Obispo Tribune’s Top 20 Under 40.
Bruce Stenslie has 30 years of experience in workforce and economic development and has served since 2007 as President and CEO of the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC). Stenslie is a Governor’s appointee to the California Workforce Development Board and serves in leadership positions for several state and local organizations, including the California Stewardship Network, California Statewide Certified Development Corporation, California Small Manufacturers Health and Welfare Trust, First 5 Ventura County, Ventura County P-20 Council and the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County.
Tahra brings to MBEP strong skills in leadership, management, policy advocacy, and public affairs. She is experienced in diverse issue areas across multiple sectors, including nonprofit management, business, and government. Tahra’s passion for health equity and economic justice was shaped by her experience growing up in a rural area which made her appreciate the tremendous contributions that agricultural communities bring to the Central Coast.
Monica Estrella has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the entrepreneurship and economic development realms. She currently works as the Grants & Contracts Manager for the Economic Development Collaborative in Ventura County. Previously, she served as the Assistant Director for the nationally ranked Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) at California State University San Bernardino (CSUSB). She was the Director of numerous programs, including the nationally recognized Integrated Technology Transfer Network (ITTN). Monica created and taught undergraduate and graduate-level courses for CSUSB and hundreds of workshops throughout her career. Monica received both her undergraduate degree and graduate degrees from CSUSB
Ana Rosa works closely with social justice organizations and environmental organizations that collaborate to advance climate action through an equity and racial justice lens.
Serving: San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County
Andrea is a Latina advocate leader, and her life has been dedicated to facilitating positive changes in health and education domains that support fragile populations and future generations.
Serving: Santa Cruz County, Monterey County
Cesar brings a history leading and serving Labor Unions and community based organizations.
Serving: Santa Cruz County, Monterey County, San Benito County
Christine’s work centers on building a durable, inclusive, and economically mobile homegrown talent pipeline that can break the intergenerational poverty cycle.
Serving: San Luis Obispo County
Dirrick is a life coach, trainer, author, and inspirational speaker as well as founder of the Black Leaders And Allies Collaborative.
Serving: Monterey County
Garrett brings experience in long-range planning, inclusive community engagement, and sustainability.
Serving: San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County
Kathy is passionate about creating sustainable, resilient, diverse communities where all residents have opportunities.
Serving: Santa Barbara County, Ventura County
Larry is a long-time resident of the Central Coast who understands and is committed to equitable economic development.
Serving: Santa Cruz County, Monterey County
Rosa understands equity issues, specifically in rural areas, and will be a vocal advocate for the immigrant and underserved communities in the region.
Serving: San Benito County
Sam is a seasoned legal and regulatory affairs executive with a solid history of leading successful advocacy and Government initiatives.
Serving: Santa Barbara County
Francisco is the Secretary-Treasurer of the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council. Francisco was also a teacher as well as a union president for over 20 years.
Location: Santa Cruz, Monterey
Kristina serves as a Client Advisor- Strategic Growth, Northern California for California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC, NIST MEP Center), as the Executive Director of the San Benito County Business Council and Owner/President of Farmhouse Communications. She has nearly two decades of community engagement, business and economic development, workforce, advocacy and public affairs experience. Her focus is to develop and execute strategies, tactics and building networks in manufacturing, land use, community development, agriculture and government.
Location: San Benito
Gabriela Lopez Chavez is the executive director at Loaves, Fishes & Computers, Inc. (LFC), whose mission is to help overcome the digital and economic divides by providing low-cost or no-cost computer systems, technology assistance and computer repair to low-income families, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and non-profit organizations. Gabriela has nearly 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector and has served as Director for the Taylor Farms Center for Learning with the First Tee in Monterey County.
Location: Santa Cruz County, Monterey County, San Benito County
Enrique is the Deputy Director at San Benito County Health and Human Service Agency. He is a Board Member for the California Workforce Association Board of Directors and has long-term experience in the community, directing workforce development as well as community Services.
Location: San Benito
Richard Vaughn is the Economic Development Manager for the County of Monterey. Richard has been involved in various community events and was formerly San Bernardino County’s economic development manager.
Location: Monterey
Michael Castro is the Director of Community Initiatives and Partnerships at the Community Foundation for Monterey County. Michael directly administers the Salinas Inclusive Development Initiative (SIEDI), the VIDA (community health worker) program and the Community Wellness Collaborative (formerly the COVID 19 Collaborative).
Location: Monterey
Jackie Cruz is the Vice President of Advancement & Development at Hartnell Community College. She began her career in the non-profit sector 19 years ago at the United Way Monterey County and joined Hartnell College in January 2009. She launched the Salinas Valley Health Professions Pathways Partnership, along with four capital campaigns, one for the arts, one for athletics, one for agriculture, and one for STEM.
Location: Monterey
Alma Cervantes has led the Education Equity Justice Action Team for Building Healthy Communities-Monterey County for the last 8 years at a local, county and state level. She has more than 10 years of expertise in community engagement, grassroots organizing, policy advocacy and culturally rooted healing informed practices.
Location: Monterey
Eloy Ortiz is the Special Projects Manager at Regeneración-Pajaro Valley Climate Action. He aims to help farmworkers and others in Pajaro recover after disastrous flooding forced thousands to evacuate and families homeless. Eloy is also the Board President for the Center for Farmworker Families.
Location: Santa Cruz, Monterey
Diane Ortiz is the CEO and co-founder of the Youth Alliance. Diane has worked with historically marginalized communities to establish culturally relevant services and social justice leadership development to support generational healing, educational success, and restorative systems transformation.
Location: San Benito
Maria Elena Manzo is the Program Director for Mujeres en Acción, a women’s economic self-sufficiency and leadership development program. Maria Elena was co-chair of COPA’s founding assembly in 2003 and continues to be a key leader in this regional non-profit organization she also led the organizing strategy for Monterey County’s Esperanza Care.
Location: Monterey
Valentin Lopez has served as Chair of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band since 2003 and is the President of the Amah Mutsun Land Trust. Valentin is a Native American Advisor to the University of California, Office of the President on issues related to repatriation. He is also a Native American Advisor to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology.
Location: Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito
Jeremy Goldberg is the Executive Director of the Central Coast Labor Council. Jeremy worked for the first Obama presidential campaign and has worked at the National Association of Letter Carriers as the National Field Director helping to stave off congressional efforts to cut jobs and reduce mail service to the American people.
Location: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura
Michael Boyer is the CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast serving over 3,000 local children. Michael is a founding Director of the Diversity Coalition San Luis Obispo County, he also serves as the Chair of the Economic Development Committee for the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce and serves on several Boards of Directors
Location: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara
Cameron Gray is the Director of Climate Mitigation for the Community Environmental Council (CEC). He is also the co-chair of the Network Health and Learning committee.
Location: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura
Joyce Howerton is the former Mayor of Lompoc. She was formerly the Executive Director of the Santa Barbara County Action Network and before retiring was the District Representative for State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson.
Location: Santa Barbara, Santa Maria
Nicki Parr is the Chief Operating Officer of Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV). Nicki has been instrumental in creating a number of WEV’s innovative training programs, such as its financial education program, and its business recovery and resilience program.
Location: Santa Barbara, Ventura
Vanessa Bechtel is the President and CEO at Ventura County Community Foundation. Bechtel served as executive director of the Santa Barbara City College Foundation and was recognized as Nonprofit Leader of the Year by the Ventura County Leadership Academy in 2019.
Location: Ventura
Wendy Sims-Moten is a 30-year resident of Santa Barbara County, who has a deep-rooted interest in the progress, development, and well-being of this community and its residents. Wendy is the Executive Director of First 5 Santa Barbara County. Her civic and community involvement include Organizer and Chair, African American Women of Santa Barbara County, Board Member, CAUSE Action Fund, Board Chair, Gateway Educational Services, Board Member, McCune Foundation, Board Member, Proud alum of Emerging Leaders and member of St. Paul AME Church.
Location: Santa Barbara
Corlei Prieto is the Director of the Santa Barbara Adult Education Consortium. Corlei leads a diverse group of constituents ranging from students, faculty, staff and local public entities such as the local libraries, Santa Barbara County’s educational programs, and the local Workforce Board.
Location: San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura
Rita Casaverde is the Executive Director of Diversity Coalition San Luis Obispo County. Rita also serves as the Chair of SLO County UndocuSupport Executive Committee and is part of the newly formed SLO County Climate Justice Alliance.
Location: San Luis Obispo
Rebecca Evans is the Executive Director of the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC.) Her role is to ensure that the WDBVC focuses on supporting workers and job seekers, especially those with barriers to employment.
Location: Ventura
Denise El Amin is an NAACP Executive Committee Member. She holds various leadership posts and works across organizations to improve the Solvang community.
Location: Santa Barbara
Scott Lathrop is the CEO of ytt Northern Chumash Nonprofit. Scott is also a member of the President’s Council of Advisors at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
Location: San Luis Obispo
© 2026 Uplift Central Coast. All Rights Reserved.
