{"id":305,"date":"2023-06-22T13:50:17","date_gmt":"2023-06-22T20:50:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/s43756.p1092.sites.pressdns.com\/?page_id=305"},"modified":"2025-07-11T23:49:21","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T23:49:21","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/venturacounty.gov\/county-executive-office\/belonging\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"305\" class=\"elementor elementor-305\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-786d7bc9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"786d7bc9\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d979cf e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4d979cf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eee6067 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"eee6067\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e40bf5a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e40bf5a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">About Us<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ea1631c elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"ea1631c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c8cba4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1c8cba4\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-85be8cb e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"85be8cb\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e72b8db elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e72b8db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 style=\"font-size: 1.3125rem; font-weight: bold;\">Community &amp; Belonging Team<\/h2><p>The Community &amp; Belonging Division, within the County Executive Office, works to support progress toward equity and belonging goals across County government by fostering collaboration, strengthening inclusive engagement, and building capacity in partnership with agencies and departments.<\/p><p>Our office focuses on the following:<\/p><ul><li>Partner with County departments and agencies to advance racial equity and promote fair, inclusive practices.<\/li><li>Collaborate on the development and implementation of County-wide and department-level Community &amp; Belonging Action Plans.<\/li><li>Offer guidance, education, and technical assistance to help agencies build capacity for sustainable equity and belonging initiatives.<\/li><li>Support efforts to address issues related to bias and discrimination through research, education, and partnerships.<\/li><li>Build community partnerships and alliances that strengthen equity and inclusion efforts within Ventura County and the broader region, working toward equitable outcomes for all.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-baa95bd e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"baa95bd\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c951e9 elementor-nav-menu--dropdown-tablet elementor-nav-menu__text-align-aside elementor-nav-menu--toggle elementor-nav-menu--burger elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-321 elementor-widget-nav-menu\" data-id=\"9c951e9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;layout&quot;:&quot;vertical&quot;,&quot;submenu_icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;fas fa-caret-down&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;fa-solid&quot;},&quot;toggle&quot;:&quot;burger&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"nav-menu.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<nav aria-label=\"Menu\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu--main elementor-nav-menu__container elementor-nav-menu--layout-vertical e--pointer-background e--animation-none\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-1-9c951e9\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu sm-vertical\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-420\"><a href=\"https:\/\/venturacounty.gov\/county-executive-office\/belonging\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">Community &amp; Belonging Division<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-422\"><a href=\"https:\/\/venturacounty.gov\/county-executive-office\/belonging\/community-and-belonging-council\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">C&#038;B Council<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-423\"><a href=\"https:\/\/venturacounty.gov\/county-executive-office\/belonging\/psreag\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">Public Safety Racial Equity Advisory Group<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-397\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/vchca.org\/heac\" class=\"elementor-item\">Healthcare Equity Advisory Council<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-398\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.ventura.org\/equal-employment-opportunity\" class=\"elementor-item\">Equal Employment<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-toggle\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Menu Toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"elementor-menu-toggle__icon--open eicon-menu-bar\"><\/i><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"elementor-menu-toggle__icon--close eicon-close\"><\/i>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<nav class=\"elementor-nav-menu--dropdown elementor-nav-menu__container\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-2-9c951e9\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu sm-vertical\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-420\"><a href=\"https:\/\/venturacounty.gov\/county-executive-office\/belonging\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Community &amp; Belonging Division<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-422\"><a href=\"https:\/\/venturacounty.gov\/county-executive-office\/belonging\/community-and-belonging-council\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">C&#038;B Council<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-423\"><a href=\"https:\/\/venturacounty.gov\/county-executive-office\/belonging\/psreag\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Public Safety Racial Equity Advisory Group<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-397\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/vchca.org\/heac\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Healthcare Equity Advisory Council<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-398\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/hr.ventura.org\/equal-employment-opportunity\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Equal Employment<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bcf433f elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"bcf433f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2644081 elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"2644081\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<!DOCTYPE html>\r\n<html>\r\n<head>\r\n<meta name=\"viewport\" content=\"width=device-width, initial-scale=1\">\r\n<style>\r\nbody {font-family: Arial;}\r\n\r\n\/* Style the tab *\/\r\n.tab {\r\n  overflow: hidden;\r\n  border: 1px solid #ccc;\r\n  background-color: #f1f1f1;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* Style the buttons inside the tab *\/\r\n.tab button {\r\n  background-color: inherit;\r\n  float: left;\r\n  border: none;\r\n  outline: none;\r\n  cursor: pointer;\r\n  padding: 14px 16px;\r\n  transition: 0.3s;\r\n  font-size: 17px;\r\n  min-height: 350px;  \r\n  color: #888;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* Change background color of buttons on hover *\/\r\n.tab button:hover {\r\n  background-color: #ddd;\r\n  color: #000;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* Create an active\/current tablink class *\/\r\n.tab button.active {\r\n  background-color: #ccc;\r\n  color: #000;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* Style the tab content *\/\r\n.tabcontent {\r\n  display: none;\r\n  padding: 6px 12px;\r\n  border: 1px solid #ccc;\r\n  border-top: none;\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n<\/head>\r\n<body>\r\n\r\n\r\n    <h2>Our Team (Click picture for more information about our team member)<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"tab\">\r\n  <button class=\"tablinks\" onclick=\"openCity(event, 'Gabriela')\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s44345.pcdn.co\/county-executive-office\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/GabrielaCazares_01.jpg\" style=\"height: 225px;\" \/><br \/>Gabriela Cazares<br \/>(More information...)<\/button>\r\n    <button class=\"tablinks\" onclick=\"openCity(event, 'Sarah')\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s44345.pcdn.co\/county-executive-office\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/elementor\/thumbs\/SarahGarcia-qyeqr01ddgqh52iousskjg6f3q1hu3s6ef9cdv1868.jpg\" style=\"height: 225px;\" \/><br \/>Sarah Garcia<br \/>(More information...)<\/button>\r\n    <button class=\"tablinks\" onclick=\"openCity(event, 'Kate')\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s44345.pcdn.co\/county-executive-office\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/KateEnglish_01.jpg\" style=\"height: 225px;\" \/><br \/>Kate English<br \/>(More information...)<\/button>\r\n    <button class=\"tablinks\" onclick=\"openCity(event, 'Lucas')\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s44345.pcdn.co\/county-executive-office\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/LucasSaucedo_01.jpg\" style=\"height: 225px;\" \/><br \/>Lucas Saucedo<br \/>(More information...)<\/button>\r\n    <button class=\"tablinks\" onclick=\"openCity(event, 'Gabriel')\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s44345.pcdn.co\/county-executive-office\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/elementor\/thumbs\/GPalafox-Headshot-qygw328bvzwkuaijw847qwg40zrcgcb7u8uw232un4.jpg\" style=\"height: 225px;\" \/><br \/>Gabriel Palafox<br \/>(More information...)<\/button>\r\n<\/div>\r\n    \r\n\r\n<div id=\"Gabriela\" class=\"tabcontent\">\r\n  <h3>Gabriela C\u00e1zares, PhD (she\/her\/hers\/ella)<br \/>Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager<\/h3>\r\n  <p>Dr. Gabriela C\u00e1zares\u2019 experience is rooted in diversity, equity and inclusion both as an administrator and educator. She proudly serves the as the Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DE) Manager for the County of Ventura where she provides programming for its 9,000+ staff. In addition she also provides guidance, support and participation for the DEI Council, Public Safety Racial Equity Advisory Group and Health Equity Advisory Council.<\/p>\r\n    <p>Dr. C\u00e1zares has taught courses at California Lutheran University, Cal State University (CSU) in Ethnic and Chicano studies as well as Education. In addition, while at University of California (UC), Irvine she worked closely at the UC Humanities Research Institute where she collaborated with UCs across the state with a focus on the retention of underrepresented faculty and doctoral students. She also directed the inaugural Title V federal Hispanic Serving Institution grant at California Lutheran University, where she designed ways to increase college pathways for Latino students. Her career and drive are fueled in part by her own experiences as a first-generation Latina from a working-class background. She received her bachelor\u2019s degrees in Ethnic Studies and English from the University of California, Riverside and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Latina\/o Literature from the University of California, San Diego.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"Sarah\" class=\"tabcontent\">\r\n  <h3>Sarah Garcia (she\/her)<br \/>Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Coordinator<\/h3>\r\n    <p>Sarah Garcia is a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice and Belonging (DEIJB) strategist, educator, and creative dedicated to creating and stewarding environments that allow all to thrive. With more than seven years of experience as a DEIJB professional within higher education, she has had the honor of leading cultural centers at California Lutheran University and Oregon State University and directing a Civic Engagement and Leadership Center that supported college-age youth in developing skills in ethical servant leadership, public service and civic engagement. Sarah most recently served as the Associate Director of Student Life at Cal Lutheran where she served on several university-wide teams and taskforces including the university DEIJ Core Team, President\u2019s Equity Council, Bias Incident Response Team, and University Strategic Planning Taskforce. Her professional passions include civic engagement, art as a tool for healing and social change, and community empowerment. Sarah is excited to channel her passion, knowledge, and experience in DEIJB to serve the County of Ventura in her new role as DEI Coordinator.<\/p>\r\n    <p>Sarah is a proud graduate of Oregon State University, UC Santa Barbara, and Santa Barbara City College.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<div id=\"Kate\" class=\"tabcontent\">\r\n  <h3>Kate English (they\/them, she\/her)<br \/>Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager for Youth Equity<\/h3>\r\n    <p>Kate English has over 20 years of experience in community leadership working for racial and social justice in Ventura County. Kate works to bring voices that are not traditionally centered into meaningful decision and policy-making processes. They have utilized both organizing and activism in their anti-racism and anti-oppression work alongside Ventura County youth, the LGBTQ+ community, communities of color, farmworkers, and undocumented community members. Kate served as the County\u2019s DEI Manager 2021-2023 and took on the role of Youth Equity Manager 2023-present to work alongside youth to improve policies and programs that impact youths\u2019 lives for the better. Additionally, Kate has been backfilling the role of DEI Officer since May of 2023. Kate\u2019s formal education is in history and the arts while their past professional experience and skillset includes being Executive Director of a youth founded non-profit, a CEO of a small company, healthcare HR Director, program development, group facilitation, human resources, and community organizing. Kate has deep connections with various communities and community-based organizations throughout Ventura County.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n    <div id=\"Lucas\" class=\"tabcontent\">\r\n  <h3>Lucas Saucedo (he\/him)<br \/>Youth Equity Coordinator<\/h3>\r\n    <p>In 2023, Lucas joined the DEI Office with a focus on supporting the new Youth Equity initiative. Before joining the DEI team, Lucas worked in municipal government and higher education, including California Lutheran University, Pepperdine University, and the City of Ventura Police Department. Lucas has advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion through policy change, programs, advocacy, direct services, and community engagement, focusing on youth, persons with disabilities, veterans, first-generation students, low-income students, BIPOC students, and those in the LGBTQIA+ community. Lucas is excited to coordinate the activities of the Youth Equity Initiative while drawing on his extensive experience in individual empowerment, training, and program management.<\/p>\r\n    <p>Lucas is a proud graduate of California Lutheran University.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n        <div id=\"Gabriel\" class=\"tabcontent\">\r\n  <h3>Gabriel Palafox<br \/>DEI Clerical Trainee<\/h3>\r\n    <p>Gabriel Palafox is a sophomore at California Lutheran University pursuing a double major in Spanish and Political Science. With a strong passion for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Gabriel currently serves as the DEI Clerical Trainee, contributing to various DEI initiatives with the County of Ventura.<\/p>\r\n    <p>In addition to their DEI work, Gabriel is an active member of Cal Lutheran\u2019s Pre-Law Society and serves as the Department Assistant for Cal Lutheran\u2019s Language and Cultures Department. Gabriel has conducted research on \u201cLatinos and Gun Policies,\u201d examining the perspectives and values of the Latino community on gun policy, shedding light on an often-under-researched demographic. Additionally, Gabriel is working on a project for the County of Ventura that focuses on the role and impact of government-elected Latino officials in the region. Gabriel aspires to become an attorney, using their academic and professional experiences to advocate for marginalized communities and drive positive social change.<\/p>\r\n    <p>Gabriel is expected to graduate with a B.A. from California Lutheran University in May 2027.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<script>\r\n    function openCity(evt, cityName) {\r\n        var i, tabcontent, tablinks;\r\n        tabcontent = document.getElementsByClassName(\"tabcontent\");\r\n        for (i = 0; i < tabcontent.length; i++) {\r\n            tabcontent[i].style.display = \"none\";\r\n        }\r\n        tablinks = document.getElementsByClassName(\"tablinks\");\r\n        for (i = 0; i < tablinks.length; i++) {\r\n            tablinks[i].className = tablinks[i].className.replace(\" active\", \"\");\r\n        }\r\n        document.getElementById(cityName).style.display = \"block\";\r\n        evt.currentTarget.className += \" active\";\r\n    }\r\n<\/script>\r\n   \r\n<\/body>\r\n<\/html> \r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ae230b elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9ae230b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c8747d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3c8747d\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-124237a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"124237a\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8f5a35c elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8f5a35c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/venturacounty.gov\/county-executive-office\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/GabrielaCazares_01.jpg\" title=\"GabrielaCazares 01\" alt=\"GabrielaCazares 01\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-873c3fe elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"873c3fe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Gabriela C\u00e1zares, PhD (she\/her\/hers\/ella)<\/strong><br \/><strong>Diversity, Equity &amp; Inclusion Manager<br \/><\/strong><\/p><p>Dr. Gabriela C\u00e1zares\u2019 experience is rooted in diversity, equity and inclusion both as an administrator and educator. She proudly serves the as the Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DE) Manager for the County of Ventura where she provides programming for its 9,000+ staff. In addition she also provides guidance, support and participation for the DEI Council, Public Safety Racial Equity Advisory Group and Health Equity Advisory Council.<\/p><p>Dr. C\u00e1zares has taught courses at California Lutheran University, Cal State University (CSU) in Ethnic and Chicano studies as well as Education. In addition, while at University of California (UC), Irvine she worked closely at the UC Humanities Research Institute where she collaborated with UCs across the state with a focus on the retention of underrepresented faculty and doctoral students. She also directed the inaugural Title V federal Hispanic Serving Institution grant at California Lutheran University, where she designed ways to increase college pathways for Latino students. Her career and drive are fueled in part by her own experiences as a first-generation Latina from a working-class background. She received her bachelor\u2019s degrees in Ethnic Studies and English from the University of California, Riverside and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Latina\/o Literature from the University of California, San Diego.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c1e9818 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c1e9818\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e4491af elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e4491af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/venturacounty.gov\/county-executive-office\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/SarahGarcia.jpg\" title=\"SarahGarcia\" alt=\"SarahGarcia\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ad61d7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9ad61d7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Sarah Garcia (she\/her)<\/strong><br \/><strong>Diversity, Equity &amp; Inclusion Coordinator<br \/><\/strong><\/p><p>Sarah Garcia is a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice and Belonging (DEIJB) strategist, educator, and creative dedicated to creating and stewarding environments that allow all to thrive. With more than seven years of experience as a DEIJB professional within higher education, she has had the honor of leading cultural centers at California Lutheran University and Oregon State University and directing a Civic Engagement and Leadership Center that supported college-age youth in developing skills in ethical servant leadership, public service and civic engagement. Sarah most recently served as the Associate Director of Student Life at Cal Lutheran where she served on several university-wide teams and taskforces including the university DEIJ Core Team, President\u2019s Equity Council, Bias Incident Response Team, and University Strategic Planning Taskforce. Her professional passions include civic engagement, art as a tool for healing and social change, and community empowerment. Sarah is excited to channel her passion, knowledge, and experience in DEIJB to serve the County of Ventura in her new role as DEI Coordinator.<\/p><p>Sarah is a proud graduate of Oregon State University, UC Santa Barbara, and Santa Barbara City College.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5b7c19 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b5b7c19\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9600e45 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9600e45\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-24de6cf elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"24de6cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/venturacounty.gov\/county-executive-office\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/KateEnglish_01.jpg\" title=\"KateEnglish 01\" alt=\"KateEnglish 01\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33aacdc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"33aacdc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Kate English (they\/them, she\/her)<br \/>Diversity, Equity &amp; Inclusion Manager for Youth Equity<\/strong><\/p><p>Kate English has over 20 years of experience in community leadership working for racial and social justice in Ventura County. Kate works to bring voices that are not traditionally centered into meaningful decision and policy-making processes. They have utilized both organizing and activism in their anti-racism and anti-oppression work alongside Ventura County youth, the LGBTQ+ community, communities of color, farmworkers, and undocumented community members. Kate served as the County\u2019s DEI Manager 2021-2023 and took on the role of Youth Equity Manager 2023-present to work alongside youth to improve policies and programs that impact youths\u2019 lives for the better. Additionally, Kate has been backfilling the role of DEI Officer since May of 2023. Kate\u2019s formal education is in history and the arts while their past professional experience and skillset includes being Executive Director of a youth founded non-profit, a CEO of a small company, healthcare HR Director, program development, group facilitation, human resources, and community organizing. Kate has deep connections with various communities and community-based organizations throughout Ventura County.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ae5226a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ae5226a\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-09e6917 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"09e6917\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/venturacounty.gov\/county-executive-office\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/03\/LucasSaucedo_01.jpg\" title=\"LucasSaucedo 01\" alt=\"LucasSaucedo 01\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9cf805c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9cf805c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Lucas Saucedo (he\/him)<\/strong><br \/><strong>Youth Equity Coordinator<br \/><\/strong><\/p><p>In 2023, Lucas joined the DEI Office with a focus on supporting the new Youth Equity initiative. Before joining the DEI team, Lucas worked in municipal government and higher education, including California Lutheran University, Pepperdine University, and the City of Ventura Police Department. Lucas has advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion through policy change, programs, advocacy, direct services, and community engagement, focusing on youth, persons with disabilities, veterans, first-generation students, low-income students, BIPOC students, and those in the LGBTQIA+ community. Lucas is excited to coordinate the activities of the Youth Equity Initiative while drawing on his extensive experience in individual empowerment, training, and program management.<\/p><p>Lucas is a proud graduate of California Lutheran University.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f58f57e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f58f57e\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cedc0b3 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"cedc0b3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/venturacounty.gov\/county-executive-office\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/GPalafox-Headshot.jpg\" title=\"GPalafox Headshot\" alt=\"GPalafox Headshot\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bcbbb90 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bcbbb90\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Gabriel Palafox<\/strong><br \/><strong>DEI Clerical Trainee<br \/><\/strong><\/p><p>Gabriel Palafox is a sophomore at California Lutheran University pursuing a double major in Spanish and Political Science. With a strong passion for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Gabriel currently serves as the DEI Clerical Trainee, contributing to various DEI initiatives with the County of Ventura.<\/p><p>In addition to their DEI work, Gabriel is an active member of Cal Lutheran\u2019s Pre-Law Society and serves as the Department Assistant for Cal Lutheran\u2019s Language and Cultures Department. Gabriel has conducted research on \u201cLatinos and Gun Policies,&#8221; examining the perspectives and values of the Latino community on gun policy, shedding light on an often-under-researched demographic. Additionally, Gabriel is working on a project for the County of Ventura that focuses on the role and impact of government-elected Latino officials in the region. Gabriel aspires to become an attorney, using their academic and professional experiences to advocate for marginalized communities and drive positive social change.<\/p><p>Gabriel is expected to graduate with a B.A. from California Lutheran University in May 2027.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9363cd6 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"9363cd6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7c9c67 elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-1225 elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b7c9c67\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Contact Information<\/strong><\/h2><hr \/><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Community and Belonging Division<\/strong><br role=\"presentation\" data-uw-rm-sr=\"\" \/>800 South Victoria #1940<br role=\"presentation\" data-uw-rm-sr=\"\" \/>Hall of Administration 4th Floor<br role=\"presentation\" data-uw-rm-sr=\"\" \/>Ventura, CA 93009<br role=\"presentation\" data-uw-rm-sr=\"\" \/><a href=\"mailto:Belonging@venturacounty.gov\" data-uw-rm-brl=\"exc\" aria-label=\"send an email to CountyDEI@ventura.org\" data-uw-rm-vglnk=\"\">Belonging@venturacounty.gov<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4aa5bcf e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4aa5bcf\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b807641 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"b807641\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9688fcf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9688fcf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>NOTE: As a convenience to our visitors, this page may contain links to external websites that are not managed or controlled by the County of Ventura.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>About Us Community &amp; Belonging Team The Community &amp; Belonging Division, within the County Executive Office, works to support progress toward equity and belonging goals across County government by fostering collaboration, strengthening inclusive engagement, and building capacity in partnership with agencies and departments. Our office focuses on the following: Partner with County departments and agencies [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"parent":294,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-305","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/venturacounty.gov\/county-executive-office\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/305","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/venturacounty.gov\/county-executive-office\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/venturacounty.gov\/county-executive-office\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/venturacounty.gov\/county-executive-office\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/venturacounty.gov\/county-executive-office\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=305"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/venturacounty.gov\/county-executive-office\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/305\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/venturacounty.gov\/county-executive-office\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/venturacounty.gov\/county-executive-office\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=305"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/venturacounty.gov\/county-executive-office\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=305"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/venturacounty.gov\/county-executive-office\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=305"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}