Quarterly BUSINESS STAR AWARDS

 

SANTA BARBARA REGION CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Presents Quarterly Business Star Awards

2010

 

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation. Founder and Program Director,brings 17 years of social work experience to the organization. She began her career by studying criminology and sociology, and then worked as a residential counselor in a group home facility for juveniles on probation. She has worked with a full range of people in need, from young kids to disabled teenagers and elderly cancer patients, whom she trained as a volunteer at the Santa Barbara Athletic Club. In addition to her volunteer work and five-year stint as executive director of the Foundation, Nikki has served on the Committee for the Children's Miracle Network and has worked closely with Hugs For Cubs and the Santa Barbara Foresters baseball team. She established the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation in 2002.

Earl Armstrong. Armstrong Associates. Business Leader. 8 year chamber board member. Event sponsor. Earl has served on the Hillside House Board of Directors for 13 years, including 8 years as President, during which time the organization turned around its financial performance and developed a dynamic plan for its future.  Earl has been President of the Board of the Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Board of the Goleta Valley Hospital. Recent winner of the "Man of Purpose" award.

Paul Didier United Way. 36 year CEO of United Way. Fundraiser of the year for Santa Barbara County 2009. As President and CEP, he has applied for-profit, market driven innovations to United Way and other non-profit organizations by creating a collaborative working environment among local charities. He has raised tens of millions of dollars on behalf of United Way and non-profits. Santa Barbara United Way campaigns have significantly outdistanced the results of other United Ways in California and the U.S. Didier's local innovations include the Day of Caring, Fun in the Sun youth summer program, establishment of permanent United Way Santa Barbara headquarters, Power of Partnership Innovative, and collaborative relief responses to the recent Tea and Jesusitas Fires.

 

Innovation Star - Drs. Robert & Lynn Koegel
UCSB Koegel Autism Center

Bob and Lynn Koegel, Koegel Autism Center, UCSB. The Koegel Autism Center has been recognized by the National Academy of Sciences as one of the best in the country. The Koegel's work started at UCSB in the 1970's. Lynn is director of the center and Bob is the co-director and a professor of clinical psychology. Their research has led to national legislation in public schools and has been the subject of extensive news coverage and documentaries. Lynn and Bob lead the nation in developing effective treatments for individuals with autism. Their new research center was made possible by a gift from local residents Brian and Patricia Kelly.