Laura A. Campobasso, from left, Julian Castillo and Stephanie Ramírez Zárate. Courtesy photo.
SANTA BARBARA — Healthy Attitudes, Emotional Harmony and Lifelong Achievement for Teens (AHA), which equips teenagers, educators, and parents with social and emotional intelligence to dismantle apathy, prevent despair, and interrupt hate-based behavior, has announced three new members to its board of directors:
Laura A. Campobasso Through her firm, Progressive Consulting Services, Laura focuses on providing leadership, management, and organizational training and skill development nationally and internationally to for-profit businesses and non-profit environmental, medical, educational and family service organizations. Her engagements span the globe from Europe to Latin America to Asia to the United States, including work with indigenous populations from around the world.
Laura started Progressive Consulting Service in 1995 and before founding the firm, Laura served as the Executive Director of the Whitecap Foundation, a nonprofit organization that focuses on family support and youth education. Before that, Laura was Director of World Wildlife Fund’s Organizational Development Program (ODP). Her primary responsibilities included assisting conservation organizations in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the United States with the organization’s self-reliance and viability. During her tenure at WWF, Laura co-authored three publications designed to enhance an organization’s capability and create self-reliance: “A Guide to Financial Resource Development,” “A Guide to Designing Effective Proposals” and “A Guide to Effective Human Resource Development.”
Laura has worked extensively with numerous non-profits over the years and is passionate about helping young people effectively navigate the challenges faced in the teen and emerging adulthood years. Laura has two grown children. The AHA! Board looks forward to having her energy, enthusiasm, and wisdom on the team.
Julian Castillo Julian is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist trained in EMDR, Somatic Therapy, and Mindfulness Based Counseling. He received his Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University Santa Barbara in 2018 and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Minor in Religious Studies from San Diego State University in 2014.
As a practicing clinician he is active in counseling teens and their families on how to get along better and normalize the often awkward and misunderstood rite of passage transition out of adolescence and into young adulthood. In addition to working with teens and their families, Julian also sees a good deal of young men navigating an inner exploration of their emotional frontiers and often uncharted internal landscapes.
As an alumni of the AHA! program and a former staff member Julian provides a unique perspective on programming as well as fundraising. As a board member Julian will be dedicated in volunteering his time towards fund-raising events, attending donor functions as a representative, as well as offering invaluable insights into appropriate instruction and facilitation.
Stephanie Ramírez Zárate Stephanie serves as District Director for Senator Monique Limón. She rejoined Team Limón in this position in January of 2023. Prior to this, she lived in Los Angeles, where she worked in the nonprofit sector for an organization called Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE), where she led the development of leadership programs designed for Latinas to increase their civic participation and enhance their skills as policy advocates. Prior to moving to Los Angeles, Stephanie served as a Field Representative for then, Assemblymember Monique Limón, a role that inspired a commitment to public service.
Stephanie was born and raised in México City, her family migrated to Santa Barbara when she was 10 years old. She attended Bishop Diego High School and was proud transfer student from Santa Barbara City College, later on earning her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Public Policy from UCLA (GO Bruins!). Stephanie is passionate about serving her community in the Central Coast. She is a community leader and is devoted to making a positive impact in her local community and has long been an enthusiastic advocate for AHA!. Stephanie lives in Ventura with her husband Ryan and their schnauzer Olive. In her spare time, she enjoys propagating plants and getting her hands in soil making succulent arrangements!