Dear PWA friends,

I want to take a moment to introduce myself as the new PWA president for the 2020-2021 term. I am excited to continue PWA’s longstanding commitment to professional development and building community at UCSB. This is my third term with the PWA steering committee, so you may have seen me working on programming and events in the past couple of years. I’m also in my second year as an Admissions Counselor for UCSB. I am a recent transplant to Santa Barbara, having moved here from Iowa by way of Denver. I love living and working in such a beautiful place, and feel passionately about making this place more accessible and inclusive.

Let me say again that PWA is here for you. We are always looking to our membership community for feedback on what professional development and programming opportunities you would like to see, as the advancement of our mission only works when you feel the benefits! If you would like to see your Profession Women’s Association prioritizing certain programming or partnership efforts, please reach out and let us know!

PWA stands with our friends and neighbors fighting for justice and equity in our community and around the world because Black lives still matter. We continue to look toward this resource for Anti-Racism materials, this list of Black-owned businesses in Santa Barbara, and more ways to help (via #BLM) to help close the racial wealth gap and recognize the contributions, power, and legitimacy of BIPOC.

The Steering Committee and I look forward to meeting and collaborating with you through workshops, discussion forums, and virtual hang outs this year! Please reach out to us at connect-pwa@gmail.com with any suggestions/feedback!

In peace and good health,

Breana Barak