Pati is a founding member of One Community Action and a lifelong advocate for equity, education, and cultural empowerment. With deep roots in the Santa Maria Valley, she has dedicated her life to advancing opportunities for families, youth, and underrepresented communities.

Over the years, Pati has been actively engaged in community organizing, cultural empowerment, and educational advocacy. She has helped establish and support local initiatives that expand access to education, uplift immigrant families, and preserve cultural identity.

In addition to her community leadership, Pati is a businesswoman and serves as Chief Executive Officer of Agrow Culture, Inc. She is also a Vestry Member of St. Peter Church, where she contributes to faith-based leadership and service. Earlier in her career, Pati worked extensively as an auditor, developing policies and procedures that strengthened organizational effectiveness.

As a proud community leader, Pati’s commitment reflects her belief in the transformative power of collaboration, cultural pride, and education. Through her service with OCA and other grassroots efforts, she continues to uplift the voices of the Santa Maria Valley and inspire the next generation of leaders.

Christina Hernandez was born in the Santa Maria Valley and is a lifelong resident of Guadalupe. Proud of her family’s roots in Guanajuato and Tijuana, she draws on her lived experience in a rural community to inform her leadership and activism.

With over 12 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Christina has dedicated her career to advancing social equity and community empowerment. She currently serves on the Allan Hancock College Foundation, supporting students in achieving higher education.

Christina is passionate about building connections across organizations, resources, and families to create greater opportunity and equity. She believes that unity and holistic support for youth and families are essential to strengthening the Santa Maria Valley.

Elizabeth Ramirez was born in Oaxaca, Mexico, and migrated to the United States with her family at age nine. She grew up in Santa Maria and graduated from Pioneer Valley High School before continuing her studies at UC Davis, ultimately earning her Juris Doctor with a concentration in International Law from the McGeorge School of Law.

During her studies, Elizabeth worked extensively in immigration law, providing pro bono services through McGeorge’s Immigration Law Clinic and as a law clerk at the Sacramento Food Bank. She has assisted hundreds of clients with DACA renewals, citizenship applications, family-based petitions, and asylum cases.

After six years, Elizabeth returned to Santa Maria to serve her community and advance access to justice. She currently serves as a Supervising Attorney at MICOP. Overall, Elizabeth is dedicated to combating discrimination, fostering community resilience, and advancing equity through advocacy, representation, and education.

Eva Avila was raised in Santa Maria as the proud daughter of immigrants and a first-generation college graduate. She has dedicated her career to prevention efforts, community advocacy, and advancing language justice across Santa Barbara County. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from San Jose State University and a Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Public Administration.

As an Equity Coordinator with the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department, Eva drives strategic regional initiatives, coordinates bilingual communication programs, and leads multi-agency efforts to advance health equity and service accessibility. Her background spans program design, health education, and case management, with a sharp focus on executing structural solutions that expand access to vital public resources.

Deeply committed to civic engagement and youth empowerment, Eva serves on the City of Santa Maria Block Grants Advisory Committee, holds a leadership role with the League of Women Voters, and mentors local high school students navigating academic and career pathways. Grounded in her lived experience and professional expertise, she brings a results-oriented, strategic approach to One Community Action to drive lasting impact, uplift local families, and advance equity across the Santa Maria Valley.