A Better Way Advisory Council.
A Better Way is a community-driven initiative dedicated to identifying, developing, and implementing innovative solutions that improve quality of life in Santa Barbara and beyond.
We draw inspiration from successful ideas around the world while also creating original approaches where gaps exist. By bringing together engaged residents, thought leaders, and changemakers, we transform forward-thinking concepts into tangible outcomes.
Our goal is to serve as a catalyst for thoughtful innovation—demonstrating how community-driven efforts can lead to lasting, positive change. We exist to turn vision into reality—and to show what’s possible when people come together to build a better way forward.
All are welcome and needed, get involved!
Meet the Team
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Jorge Báez
FOUNDER
Jorge Baez is a sustainability-focused professional specializing in supply chain innovation across the fashion, food and beverage, and building sectors. He is dedicated to advancing responsible sourcing, circular practices, and transparent systems that drive measurable impact. With a strategic and collaborative approach, Jorge works to bridge industry gaps, develop scalable solutions, and support ecosystem partners committed to building resilient, ethical, and future-ready value chains.
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Samantha Carey
ADVISORY MEMBER
Passionate about the planet and people, with big dreams of a brighter future for the community of Santa Barbara and the world beyond. With 10 years of experience in Video Production for Market Research, Samantha brings her passion for art, science, and documentary - aiming to give voice to all. -
Hana Truscott
ADVISORY MEMBER
Current PhD student in Community, Liberation, Indigenous, and Ecological Psychology, with a M.A. in International Administration (non-profit management focus), and B.A. in Ecological Studies. Values include re-membering that we are made to be in community with human and more-than-human kin (ancestors, nature). Personal mission is to co-create with community a more sustainable community in Santa Barbara.
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Jose Espinoza
ADVISORY MEMBER
Santa Barbara Local, attended Laguna Blanca School. While in high school and college he worked for the City of Santa Barbara Community Development. Graduated from UCSB where he focused his scope of study in Political Economics, probability mathematics and technology management. Currently he works in business development, and risk management.
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Jackie Gilbert
ADVISORY MEMBER
Co founder and Executive Director of One Thread Collective, a Santa Barbara-based nonprofit that supports Indigenous artisans in La Guajira, Colombia. She studied anthropology with a focus on social movements related to water rights at the University of New Hampshire. Before co-founding One Thread Collective, she was deeply involved in a social movement in response to human rights abuses by a multinational mining corporation.
