Cause Driven Leadership

Every day, we work side by side with our neighbors to make sure all youth, regardless of income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. The Youth and Family Services (YFS) Board of Managers is committed to nurturing the potential of youth, promoting health and well-being, and fostering a sense of social responsibility. 

If you are interested in learning more about volunteering with Youth and Family Services please contact the Amy Tovias at amy.tovias@ciymca.org.

Back to Reaching for Stars

Honorees

Thank you Sponsors

Keynote Speaker: Alia Azariah, Survivor Leader

Alia Azariah is a nationally recognized subject matter expert on human trafficking, sex trafficking, and the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). A survivor herself, she is dedicated to ending exploitation and advancing best practices in aftercare for survivors.

Her expertise spans survivor aftercare, juvenile justice, child welfare, policy, investigations, and trauma-informed program development. Alia’s leadership has been recognized with the Resiliency Award from the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and, in 2025, her selection to the Obama Leaders USA Program (2025–26 cohort).

As Director of Collective Impact at Safe House Project, Alia helps shape how survivor services operate across the United States. She leads national trainings, supports programs in improving the quality of care they provide, and works on state-level policy efforts to ensure laws and systems better reflect the real needs of survivors. Her role connects what survivors experience in real life with how programs, agencies, and policymakers respond.

Over her career, Alia has trained tens of thousands of professionals, testified as an expert witness in trafficking cases, and spoken on major platforms including the U.S. Capitol, the UK Parliament, and the California State Senate.

Rooted in both professional knowledge and lived experience, Alia’s work centers on building safe, sustainable communities for youth survivors through education, advocacy, service provision, and social justice. When she’s not traveling or training, she’s home in Ventura County with her husband and children—grounded by family, faith and community as a daily reminder that her life itself is evidence of the hope and healing she fights to make possible for others.

Honorary Chair: Carrie Towbes

Carrie Towbes, Ph.D. is a Licensed Psychologist specializing in child clinical psychology. 
Raised in Santa Barbara, Carrie relocated back to the area in 2008, after 28 years in the midAtlantic. She currently owns and operates an independent practice supporting children, youth, and their families.
Carrie holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, an M.Ed. in Special Education, and a B.S. in 
Elementary Education. Prior to obtaining her Ph.D., Carrie taught special education 
elementary school students with learning and behavioral challenges. As a psychologist, Carrie has worked in schools, hospitals, community mental health centers, and nonprofit agencies. 
Carrie is a past member of the First Five Advisory Board of Santa Barbara County and a former clinical supervisor at CALM. She has served on several nonprofit boards that address the needs of children and families including Planned Parenthood California Central Coast, Storyteller Children’s Center, and Crane Country Day School.
In 2008, Carrie became more engaged with the family foundation started by her parents, Michael and Gail Towbes. Since 1980, the Towbes Foundation has granted more than $25mm to over 400 organizations in Santa Barbara County. Following her father’s passing in 2017, Carrie has served as the President of the Towbes Foundation. Under Carrie’s leadership, the Towbes Foundation has targeted grant initiatives addressing mental health - from prevention, to improved access, to effective treatment - with the aim of becoming an effective change agent. 
Carrie is most proud of recent advocacy efforts to enhance access to mental health services for Santa Barbara youth and establishing the 4R Fund. In partnership with the Santa Barbara Foundation, the 4R Fund supports the Recruitment, Retention, Rest, and Recuperation of mental health providers delivering behavioral healthcare to youth and their families.

Auctioneer: Andrew Firestone

Andrew Firestone is Principal and Founder of StonePark Capital, a Santa Barbara-based hospitality firm that focuses on the acquisition and development of select-service hotels, and applies a disciplined set of strategies that prioritizes investor return. Currently StonePark Capital has projects in Santa Barbara, Sonoma, Santa Rosa, and San Luis Obispo, California. He frequently demonstrates his commitment to the community by serving as auctioneer at multiple non-profit events.  He is an entertaining, exuberant, engaging, and effective auctioneer!

A La Carte Featuring: Leslie Lembo, Jan Ingram, and Henry Garrett