Personal Biography

Hilda Zacarías has dedicated a lifetime of public service to the residents of the Central Coast of California and currently serves as Santa Maria City Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem. A former public accountant and educator (California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and Allan Hancock College), she is the Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Family Care Center, which serves to increase the quality and quantity of child care throughout Santa Barbara County.  Zacarías has also assisted community-based organizations in their financial and organizational development, most significantly the Historic Dana Adobe in Nipomo, the Alliance for Pharmaceutical Access in Northern Santa Barbara County, and the California Family Resource Association based in Sacramento.  Ms. Zacarías has authored several publications, including an analysis of community-based mental health systems titled “Integrating Mental Health Services into California’s Diverse Neighborhoods” and developed and published the “Preschool for All” plan for Santa Barbara County.

 

Experience

Public Offices Held:

City of Santa Maria

Councilmember – Mayor Pro Tem
2006 to present

Santa Maria Joint Union High School Board of Education Trustee

1993 to 1998
Child Care Planning Council
Women's Commission

Professional Experience:

• Non-profit Administrator & Consultant
• Former Tax Accountant
• Tax Professor & Business Educator
• Self-employed 20 years +

 

Education

“Head Start to Harvard”

Primary:

• Head Start to Santa Maria High School

Secondary:

• Allan Hancock College, Bachelors Degree in Accounting from Cal Poly State University – San Luis Obispo

Graduate:

• Masters Degree in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge, MA

Awards & Recognitions:

• Presidential Scholar Fellowship Harvard University
• Littauer Fellow Award Harvard Kennedy School of Government
• Distinguished Alumni Allan Hancock College
• Honored Alumnus 2008 and Distinguished Service Award 1993, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Accounting School
• Hispanic Businessperson of the Year

 

 

Community Volunteer & Board Membership

Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County – Board Member
Cali-Kids – Founding Board Member
Casa Pacifica - Advisory Board Member
Future Leaders of America – Founding Member & Trustee
Just Communities – Board Member
Santa Barbara Community Foundation – Trustee Emeritus
McCune Foundation – Grant Advisory & Investment Committee
Camp Fire Boys & Girls
Planned Parenthood of Santa Barbara, Ventura & San Luis Obispo Counties
Santa Maria Valley Boys and Girls Club
Alpha Resource Center
Kiwanis Club Member