Invaluable Contributions

With expertise spanning finance, education, marketing, economics, mathematics and biotechnology — and all with degrees from their shared alma mater — four UC Santa Barbara alumni have been elected as new trustees of the university.

Sue Wilcox ’70 ’72 ’75, Joel S. Raznick ’81, Michael Byron ’87 and Tina Hansen McEnroe ’89 join the leadership body that promotes the university by increasing philanthropy and managing and growing the endowment.

“Our campus is thrilled to welcome four new trustees — all distinguished alumni — to the UC Santa Barbara Foundation Board, and we welcome the leadership and vision they will bring to our institution,” said Chancellor Henry T. Yang. “Their individual accomplishments, collective expertise and unique perspective as graduates will provide valuable insight as our board continues to advance the mission of our great university. The partnership and generous support of all our trustees play a critical role in our continuing success as a world-class research institution.”

More about the new trustees:

• Sue Wilcox ’70, ’72, ’75 — Retired entrepreneur and consultant assisting in the startup of multiple biotech companies. Former adjunct professor of economics at Pepperdine University and Manager at Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO).  (Santa Barbara, CA)  

• Joel S. Raznick ’81 — President and CEO, Undivided; CMO, NEFT Vodka (Los Angeles, CA) 

• Michael Byron ’87 — Vice president of finance operations and systems of NVIDIA

• Tina Hansen McEnroe, M.A., L.H.D. (h.c.) ’89 — Founder and associate director, UC Santa Barbara’s Tina Hansen & Paul V. McEnroe Reading and Language Arts Clinic (Buellton, CA); executive director, Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program

“It is such an honor to welcome our new trustees to the board, and I personally look forward to the leadership and expertise they will bring,” said Betty Elings Wells, current chair of the board. “We are so fortunate for the support from all of our trustees, their partnership in helping UC Santa Barbara achieve success is invaluable and greatly appreciated.”

“The board looks forward to working with, and getting to know, the new trustees — especially when we can gather again in person,” Wells added.

As UC Santa Barbara’s principal fundraising organization, the nonprofit foundation generates and administers private gifts to the campus, including support for students, research and instruction. It also ensures the appropriate use of all private funds.

Helping to forge links between the professional and business communities and the campus to increase private support for university programs, the foundation plays a critical role in promoting and achieving fundraising goals and priorities. The board consists of philanthropic leaders sharing a commitment to advance UC Santa Barbara’s mission and sustain its reputation for excellence.

The UC Santa Barbara Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees, which includes up to 100 elected distinguished trustees and 14 additional university representatives, and complies with the University of California Policy on Campus Foundations set by the Regents of the University of California. From the foundation’s inception in 1973, members of its board have formed a valuable link between UC Santa Barbara and the local, regional and national communities. As they encourage private gifts and identify and cultivate potential donors, the trustees build interest and support for the campus and communicate to the public an informed understanding of UCSB’s mission.