Honoring Lynn L. Jacobs for her legacy of empowering homeownership through Ventura Affordable Homes, Inc. and her work while serving as California’s Director of Housing and Community Development under Governor Schwarzenegger.

Awarded to:

Rashi Kallur

Retired Vice President and Community Relations Market Manager, Citi Community Relations

Rashi Kallur drove franchise-wide community development activities for Citi’s Community Relations West Region team and

national initiatives for the Citi Foundation in her former role as Vice President and Community Relations Market Manager for the West Region. Throughout her tenure, she developed and managed diverse public and private partnerships to deliver innovative programs and signature initiatives that addressed the dynamic needs of diverse communities. Ms. Kallur served as the local public facing team member to fulfill Citi’s commitment to increase the economic opportunities and empowerment of low-and-moderate income individuals, families and communities throughout California, with a keen focus on the counties of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara. Read more

Honoring Rodney Fernandez who championed the cause for affordable workforce housing in Ventura County for over 50 years and founded VCCDC in 2001.

Awarded to:

Bruce Stenslie

President & CEO, Economic Development Collaborative

Bruce Stenslie has 35 years of experience in workforce and economic development and has served since 2007 as President and CEO of the Economic Development Collaborative (EDC).

Prior to joining EDC, Mr. Stenslie served as Deputy Director for the California Workforce Association, Workforce Board & Policy Director in the Mayor’s Office for the City of Los Angeles (Mayors Hahn and Villagairosa), Deputy Director of the Ventura County Human Services Agency, Executive Director of the Ventura County Workforce Investment Board, and Executive Director of the Candelaria American Indian Academy. In 2013 Mr. Stenslie was elected by his peers as Chair of the California Association for Local Economic Development. For several years running, Mr. Stenslie has been named by the Pacific Coast Business Times as one the 50 Most Influential in Business. Earlier in 2023 Mr. Stenslie was named Business Leader of the Year by the Ventura County Leadership Council. Read more.

Honoring our first Board Chair, Michael McGuire, a man of great compassion for those in need who has left a special space in the community and hearts of many that will long be felt.

Awarded to:

People’s Self-Help Housing

Founded in 1970, People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) is the longest-serving nonprofit housing organization on California’s Central Coast, serving over 10,000 residents in four counties. Their mission is to build affordable homes with site-based services that offer opportunities to change lives and strengthen communities on the Central Coast of California. You can find a PSHH community in every county on the Central Coast. PSHH currently owns and manages over 2,000 rental units, providing welcoming environments for more than 5,000 residents whose well-being and success drive its mission. PSHH properties are located in rural, urban, and coastal areas, each neighborhood being as different and diverse as their host communities. Read more.

Honoring our longest running Board Member, Ernest Baskette, Jr. His personal and professional mission was to affect transformative repositioning of the economic status of families and the revitalization of the communities in which they reside.

Awarded to:

Jack Hinojosa

CEO, Child Development Resources of Ventura County, Inc.

Jack Hinojosa is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Child Development Resources of Ventura County, Inc. (CDR). Mr. Hinojosa has an extensive background in administration of health care and early childhood education and development programs and more than thirty-six years of working with children and families in Ventura County. Beginning his twenty-third year at CDR, he has held various management and executive positions, including Program Operations Manager (Head Start), Associate Executive Director, (Child Care Programs Department), and was CDR’s first Chief Operations Officer (COO) for four years.  As CEO, since April 4, 2017, Mr. Hinojosa is responsible for directing the integrated administration and operations of all CDR corporate programs, grants, and contracts. Read more.

We are honored to present our newest award honoring the late Carmen Ramirez for advocating solutions-based initiatives to provide affordable housing for low-to moderate income households, and championing social, health, and environmental programs to deliver a better quality of life for all.

Awarded to:

Barbara Macri-Ortiz

Attorney, Oxnard, CA

Barbara Macri-Ortiz, an attorney in private practice in Oxnard, specializes in all aspects of affordable housing development and landlord-tenant law. Throughout her 35 year legal career she has focused on issues of importance to farm workers and other low wage workers. Her advocacy and litigation efforts have resulted in the development of over 2,600 new homes for farm workers and other low-income families in Ventura County. Read more.