Ernesto Paredes has had a lifelong exposure and commitment to the nonprofit community in Santa Barbara and currently serves as the Executive Director of Easy Lift Transportation. Beyond his long tenure at Easy Lift, Paredes has worked with the Future Leaders of America, the Sansum Diabetes Research Institute, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), CALM (Child Abuse Listening Mediation), the Leadership Council, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation and Special Olympics of Santa Barbara, among others.

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Geoff Green is the CEO of the Santa Barbara City College Foundation which purses the SBCC Promise of tuition free 2-year SBCC education for graduates of local Santa Barbara High Schools. Geoff also serves on numerous non-profit boards around Santa Barbara.

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After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in February 2018, Isabel Hernandez began struggling with her invisible illness. She found that the secrecy surrounding having MS was almost as burdensome as having the disease. She has now found freedom in telling others and has become an advocate for others who are still living with an invisible illness. An amazing story of overcoming and breaking the silence around painful diseases!

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Ralph DeQuebec is 37 years old. He joined the United States Marine Corps at 19. During his third combat deployment, he was critically injured from an IED blast and received a Purple Heart for his actions in combat. During his recovery, he discovered the sport of Para Ice Hockey. He went on to win a gold medal in the 2018 Paralympic games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Ralph is the captain for the Colorado Warrior Avalanche, a co-founder of We Are All One Story and is currently training for the 2022 Paralympic games in Beijing, China.

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Jacob has a younger brother with cerebral palsy, so managing and teaching at an art studio and gallery for artists with disabilities, is right at home for him. Jacob manages the gallery-studio, curates the art openings and teaches classes in basic drawing, landscape painting, abstract painting, color theory, and the principles and elements of art.

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Thomas Tighe has served as President and CEO of Direct Relief, a nonprofit humanitarian medical organization, since October 2000. Since Tighe's arrival, the organization has provided cash grants of more than $120 million and furnished more than $8 billion in essential medicines, equipment, and supplies to support health services for low-income people in over 100 countries and all 50 U.S. states, where the organization conducts the country's largest nonprofit charitable medicines program.

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Judge Carrozzo has had a distinguished career both in the courts and outside of them. After receiving his law degree he became an Army Officer in the JAG Corp. After moving to Santa Barbara, he became a Superior Court Judge and presides over the Veteran’s Court in Santa Barbara County.

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José joined a L.A. street gang when he was sixteen and was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison at the age of eighteen. When he paroled from prison, he vowed to himself that he would never go back and dreamed of one day telling the stories of his peers. At the age of 31 and on the brink of taking his own life, he was able to remember a simple truth that he had believed as a child - that he as a person had inherent value, therefore his story had value. It was in that moment that he was able to find the value in his story once again. Jose is the founder and lead creative of We Are All One Story. He currently travels the country listening to and sharing peoples stories.

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Supervisor Das Williams was elected to represent the First District of Santa Barbara County in June 2016 and took office on January 2, 2017. Das grew up and attended local schools in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. He split his time between his mother who lived Ojai and his father who lived in Isla Vista. Das to develop an interest in local politics and start volunteering on campaigns early on. While a student at Santa Barbara City College, Das developed a passion for politics in classes with his favorite professor, Dr. Manoutchehr Eskandari-Qajar and travelled to South Africa to work for Nelson Mandela's African National Congress in South Africa's first democratic election in 1994.

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Mike Klan is known as the "Dean" of local sports as he has been covering games and stories for NewsChannel 3 since the mid-1990s. For the past 25 years Mike has been the Executive Producer and Host of the Emmy-Award winning Friday Football Focus. The high school football show is one of the premier prep shows on the west coast, which airs in the fall on NewsChannel 3 and NewsChannel 12. Mike has covered sports on the biggest stage including Super Bowls, the World Series, National Championship football games and the NCAA Basketball Tournament.

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Dennis was born in a small town of Mukono in Uganda. On December 12th 1980, he accepted Jesus Christ into his life and was immediately called to full-time ministry. He now empowers Christians to fulfill the gospel and achieve their God-given potential.

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Jerry Siegel has been instrumental in establishing the School Games for Special Olympics of Santa Barbara. He most recently paved the way for 250 young to compete in the School Games. Nannette Clark, Amy Peterson, Sam Jauregui, Steve Glick, Debra Day, and Chris Powers have played for the Special Olympics ranging from 10-25 years. They share their experiences from some of the following sports they have competed in: bocce ball, swimming, tennis, soccer, softball, basketball, floor hockey, bowling, golf, and skiing!

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Joe Pasternack went to Indiana University so he could learn from legendary Coach Bobby Knight. One thing led to another, and Head Coach Pasternack has now led UCSB to three straight 20-win seasons for the first time in school history!

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31 years ago, Patty Aubery responded to an ad for a secretary position. The person placing the ad turned out to be Jack Canfield—and their partnership over 31 years led to the birth of the world’s first billion dollar publishing brand: Chicken Soup for the Soul. Patty is a gifted visionary executive and in this interview she shares some of her amazing journey!

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Dr. Gayle Beebe is the President of Westmont College and a person of keen intellect and a tender heart. In this interview, Dr. Beebe talks extensively about his relationship with his father, as well as about leadership in these tumultuous times. You’ll be encouraged and empowered by the wisdom of Dr. Beebe!

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Daniel Walker is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Farmers & Merchants Bank. In this interview, Mr. Walker talks about the 4th generation bank, giving back, and a spirit of generosity. The bank is an example of an enterprise which cares for it’s employees in meaningful ways. This care has resulted in an amazing number of long-tenured employees and a culture of loyalty. This is an inspiring interview!

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Firefighter Sam Dudley tells the amazing story of emotional-support dog Rhonda. Rhonda was rescued from a “high-kill” shelter, sent to prison for 9 months, and now serves the community. This is a beautiful and uplifting story!

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Lori Luhnow is the Chief of Police in Santa Barbara, California. Chief Luhnow has faced significant adversity in her life, and in this interview, she shares about her journey as well as about the noble profession of law enforcement. Don’t miss it!

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After injuring his shoulder and losing his sponsor, Nathaniel Curran beat the odds and won the most prestigious surfing championship! He has since founded The Young and Brave Foundation to bless families with a child with cancer. Nathaniel is an impressive and inspiring man!

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