Warren Bennis once said, "Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality."  When the late hospice visionary Alice Heath championed our founding in 1974, she could not have imagined the reality of Hospice of Santa Barbara over forty years later.  For the last four decades, the exceptional leaders of HSB have worked to translate the vision of compassionate end-of-life care into reality by delivering innovative and critical services to those in need in our community.   

Our tradition of exceptional leadership continues as we are pleased to announce our new Chief Executive Officer, David Selberg.

Meet the Staff

David Selberg, new Chief Executive Officer at 

Hospice of Santa Barbara

In early 2014, HSB began a nationwide search for a new CEO. HSB's Board of Directors engaged Morris & Berger, a renowned executive search firm with a specialty practice that reaches across the nonprofit sector. For over seven months, HSB's Board of Directors and Santa Barbara community philanthropic leaders narrowed a pool of over 300 qualified candidates to one candidate who possesses the experience and expertise in leadership, strategy development, financial management and community relationships needed to support HSB's mission.

"We are pleased to announce David Selberg as our new CEO," said Sam Capra, 2014 HSB Board President and Evie Vesper, 2015 HSB Board President. "David, a seasoned, successful and highly sought after professional, brings a wealth of philanthropic and health care leadership to HSB. David's proven community collaborations and visionary focus assures HSB the skills essential to strengthen patient care services and growth. The board of HSB welcomes David with grace and support."

For the last decade, David has served as Executive Director of Pacific Pride Foundation, the Central Coast's LGBT and HIV/AIDS organization. While serving in this capacity, he led strategic development planning and donor engagement resulting in raising over $900,000 annually, and he demonstrated commitment to building collaborative, community relationship and partnerships.

"David leaves our organization with an outstanding record of service," said Marco Silva, Pacific Pride Foundation Board Chair. "As the largest LGBT/HIV organization between Los Angeles and San Francisco, we are beginning this next chapter of our 35-year history in strong standing and reputation on the Central Coast and statewide. We wish David the best and will be calling upon him for input and wisdom as we find our next leader."

David is not new to Hospice of Santa Barbara. During his early years at Pacific Pride Foundation, he worked closely with HSB on delivery of care to those dying of AIDS.

"I am humbled to be transitioning from the powerful work at Pacific Pride to Hospice of Santa Barbara where truly miraculous programs serve those impacted by a life-threatening illness of grieving the death of a loved one," said David. "The mission of Hospice of Santa Barbara has touched my life profoundly over the years, both professionally and personally."

We're here with you, and you are not alone...

HSB not only helped Jeanne, but also Christie and Christie's children, to better understand the condition and deal with their struggle.  "At one point, we kept Christie's illness from her children, but Hospice of Santa Barbara helped guide us to prep the children and ourselves to understand that she was sick.  They gave us the tools to help the kids and ourselves to do this," says Jeanne.   She feels they were all better prepared after her daughter 's death because of the work of HSB. 

HSB taught her to bring out the hurt and pain, and how to go on in life.  Jeanne says that she's happy once again, and that her grandchildren have smiles on their faces.  She encourages people going through a loss to take the step and seek help from HSB and receive the guidance she received.  "It's a beautiful way to heal."

A gift in memory of the ones you love

There are many ways for you to make a gift in remembrance of someone special that will have meaningful significance for years to come.  Here are a few options to consider:

A memorial gift of cash or property - A gift of cash is one of the simplest ways to remember your loved one.  You receive a tax deduction for the value of your gift to us.

Gift Annuity - With a memorial gift annuity, you make a gift of cash or appreciated property in honor of your loved one, and you receive a fixed income for life.  You also receive a charitable deduction for the value of your gift.

Unitrust - If your memorial gift is made to fund a charitable remainder trust, you can receive income monthly, quarterly or annually.  You benefit from a charitable deduction for your gift this year and avoid paying capital gains tax on the sale of your appreciated assets.

To learn more about the benefits of making a charitable gift, call 

805-563-8820 or visit www.hospiceofsantabarbara.org.

Have you already included Hospice of Santa Barbara in your estate plans?  Let us know.  You are a qualifying member of our Legacy Society.