Background & Education: Aaron Pankratz brings with him a passion for serving vulnerable populations. In his career, he is most proud of the people he has served. This includes people from a wide background including street children in Zimbabwe, people with disabilities of all ages, inner city youth and most recently senior citizens on the Central Coast. His passion comes from growing up with a brother with disabilities who was adopted out of an abusive home.

A few words that best describe Aaron: Dedicated and wise

Hobbies & Interests: Aaron volunteers at his church and homeowners association board. His family, including three children, keep him busy and bring him joy daily. In his free time, Aaron enjoys cycling as fast and far as he can (about 5,000 miles a year).

Why CASA is important to Aaron: "I believe that standing with a child through difficult circumstances is one of the noblest tasks and the rewards for all involved can't be matched."

Background & Education: Chantel is a Santa Barbara local whose first love was social justice work. Volunteering and training extensively with Anti-Defamation League and Just Communities, Chantel was committed to combating bullying and prejudice on her high school campus and in the community. Chantel was fortunate to be the first one in her family to attend college, obtaining a BA from Smith College with a double major in Religion and Jewish Studies. After graduating, she began her career in Jewish Communal Service work as the Volunteer Coordinator and Events Specialist at Jewish Family Service and also worked for various nonprofits throughout Santa Barbara.

Clubs, Committees, or Social Groups:  Chantel is highly involved with the Israel Committee of Santa Barbara, sitting on their planning committee and working as their Event Coordinator for the Annual Teach-In on Israel. She also volunteers with local Jewish organizations, such as the Avi Schaefer Fund.

A few words that best describe Chantel: Energetic, Passionate, Affable, Loyal, and Jovial

Hobbies & Interests: Chantel loves to create art, mostly using watercolor and inks. She also enjoys dancing, watching movies, traveling, meeting new people, and spending time with her puppy, Big Sur.

Why CASA is important to Chantel: “CASA is important to me because I know firsthand how terrifying, traumatic, and turbulent it can be for children who are in abusive environments.”  

Background & Education: Britannia is currently going to Arizona State University online and earning her degree in Family and Human Development. She originally grew up in Washington and has recently come to Santa Barbara County. She spent time working with a family member assisting with a supervised visitation program.

Hobbies & Interests: Britannia enjoys night and star photography, playing the flute, and going camping and road trips!

Background & Education: Originally from Michigan, Brittany moved to California at the age of six and grew up on Vandenberg AFB where her father was stationed in the military. Brittany currently attends Allan Hancock College and plans to complete her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology online through Brandman University. This past year Brittany had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) to kindergarten students in China.

Clubs, committees, or social groups: Brittany is currently an advocate for sexual assault survivors at the North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center.

A few words that best describe Brittany: Kind and caring

Hobbies & Interests: Traveling, reading, hiking, going on adventures, and spending time with family.

Why CASA is important to Brittany: "Every child deserves to have their voice heard and CASA gives them that power." 

Background & Education: Tristin graduated from Westmont College with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. Before coming to CASA she worked at Noah's Anchorage, a local residential youth crisis shelter for over three years. Tristin has worked with children in some capacity since age 15.

Clubs, committees, or social groups: Tristin is a 2014 graduate of Leadership Santa Barbara County and 2016 Emerging Leaders Program in Santa Barbara, CA. 

A few words that best describes Tristin: Kind, compassionate, tender-hearted, driven, hardworking, dedicated, loyal

Hobbies & Interests: Tristin is a huge sports fans, with loyalties to The Los Angeles Kings hockey teams (Stanley Cup champs 2012 and 2014!) and The Kansas City Chiefs. Tristin loves to read books, spend time in the outdoors, watch movies, and rock out to some country music.

Why CASA is important Tristin: "To have a CASA means to have that extra watchful eye, to have someone who will stick with that child. What is so great and unique to CASA is that our volunteers are actually officers of the Court, which means that they get to write reports directly to the Judge and be a voice for that child in Court. To see the difference an advocate can make in the life of one child makes my job worth it."