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Santa Barbara, CA — February 3, 2026 — The Santa Barbara Search & Rescue Foundation is proud to announce the appointment of Staci Richard to its Board of Directors. Richard brings a rare combination of search and rescue leadership and US humanitarian response experience, strengthening the Foundation’s ability to support the all-volunteer Santa Barbara County Search & Rescue team.
Richard has been an active Santa Barbara County Search & Rescue volunteer since 2018, serving as an Operational Leader and coordinating the team’s Project Lifesaver program, which supports rapid response efforts for individuals with cognitive disorders who are prone to wandering. The program is administered through the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and operated by the volunteer Search & Rescue team. She also previously served four years on the Santa Barbara County Search & Rescue Board.
In addition to her SAR leadership, Richard brings more than 30 years of experience in education, mentoring, and youth development, including deep ties to the Santa Barbara community through her work at Laguna Blanca School. Professionally, she oversees U.S. Emergency Response at Direct Relief, a globally recognized humanitarian organization known for its rapid mobilization ahead of disaster. Her work includes coordinating emergency response for Direct Relief’s network of healthcare partners and supporting frontline responders during climate-driven emergencies, most recently managing their Los Angeles wildfire response…