Dianne Travis-Teague. Courtesy photo.
SANTA BARBARA — Dianne Travis-Teague has been appointed to the Santa Barbara City Fire & Police Commission. She brings a wealth of knowledge and lived experience that will benefit the Commission at a time when the city is focusing efforts toward racial justice and equity.
As Director of Alumni Relations for Pacifica Graduate Institute, Travis-Teague has created and maintained numerous pathways for alumni engagement. Her capabilities include project management, financial analysis, training, team building, mentoring, and creative brainstorming. Travis-Teague earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Marketing from Northwestern University in Illinois and also currently serves on the Board of Hospice of Santa Barbara.
“Dianne is a distinguished member of the Santa Barbara community, with children and grandchildren who attended the Santa Barbara Unified School District,” said Lizzie Rodriguez, Vice Chair of the Santa Barbara City Fire & Police Commission. “She brings an important perspective that has been missing from the commission, and we look forward to her participation.”
Lieutenant Shawn Hill of the City of Santa Barbara Police Department, Community Accountability division says, “At a time when our profession is in need of community partnerships, Dianne has already demonstrated her willingness to engage and her ability to influence our department’s future.”
The Santa Barbara City Fire & Police Commission was formed in 1927 to ensure the smooth and professional functioning of the fire and police departments. The Commission is responsible for advising the City Council and City Administrator in all matters related to efficient and adequate fire and police protection for the City including recommending rules and regulations concerning the operation and conduct of both departments; annual budget recommendations to city council and city administrator; and appointment recommendations for fire and police chiefs.
With this appointment, Travis-Teague joins hundreds of Black women across the country who are stepping into civic service and government leadership, exemplified in Vice President Kamala Harris, a multi-ethnic Black woman.
“I remember attending protest marches with my grandmother,” said Travis-Teague. “I never thought my granddaughter and my grandson would have struggles similar to those I had as a young Black woman in America. Joining the Fire and Police Commission gives me the opportunity to help shape a different reality for our future generations.”
The city is currently in the process of recruiting a new Fire Chief and a new Police Chief.
PGIAA incorporated on April 17, 2013 as a California 501(c) Nonprofit Corporation for the purpose of developing an operational and charitable membership association supporting both the alumni of Pacifica Graduate Institute and the wider community in pursuit of developing their intellectual, spiritual, altruistic, and professional capabilities.
Established in 1976 and treasuring over 4700 graduates, Pacifica Graduate Institute is an accredited graduate school offering master’s and doctoral degree programs framed in the traditions of depth psychology. http://www.pacifica.edu.
Further information is also available at the association’s website,http://www.pgiaa.org/