Santa Barbara Humane Adds New Board Members
The nonprofit organization appoints Christine Garvey and Marla Smith to its board of directors.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in People

Santa Barbara Humane has officially announced the appointment of Christine Garvey and Marla Smith to its Board of Directors. The new additions join the organization as it focuses on upcoming infrastructure goals.
Why it matters
The board appointments support the organization as it advances the Humane Campaign, which aims to transform the existing Santa Barbara campus.
The nonprofit added two directors to its governance team to support current initiatives. The total headcount of the board remains undisclosed following this expansion.
The players
Christine Garvey
She has joined the Board of Directors of Santa Barbara Humane and will co-chair the organization's current campaign.
Marla Smith
She has been appointed as a new member of the Board of Directors for the Santa Barbara Humane organization.
Santa Barbara Humane
This organization operates a campus in Santa Barbara and is currently undergoing a major transformation through its Humane Campaign.
The details
Christine Garvey will also take on the role of co-chair for the ongoing Humane Campaign. This initiative is centered on significant renovations and transformations for the local campus.
Timeline
The board appointments were announced on October 23, 2026.
Market Landscape
The recruitment of these directors follows the operational pattern of nonprofits aligning leadership expertise with major capital project phases. This appointment strengthens the organization's governance as it scales its operations relative to the Humane Campaign.
These administrative changes primarily affect the internal governance and long-term facility plans of the local animal welfare organization. Donors and community members can expect continued updates on the campus transformation as the new board members begin their terms.
The takeaway
Nonprofit boards often strategically expand their rosters when launching major capital campaigns to secure necessary oversight and fundraising leadership. Strengthening governance at this stage is a common tactic for ensuring large-scale campus transformations meet their projected goals.
Further reading
For more news regarding leadership changes in the area, visit Santa Barbara People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Noozhawk.










