Wendy Kilbourne Read was an actress starring on an NBC television series when she volunteered to work with a 6-year-old foster child. Over the next 12 years, she watched as he was moved 27 times. His experience ultimately inspired her to quit acting and pursue a career as an advocate for foster youth.
Building on her undergraduate degree in early childhood education, Wendy completed law school and is now a licensed attorney in Santa Barbara with over twenty years of experience in foster care, education, and non-profit law, as well as organizational and management consulting.
A strong believer in the power of education to transform lives and communities, she is a passionate supporter of non-profits dedicated to education and social justice. She continues to be a long-time volunteer and advisor to many of Santa Barbara’s non-profit organizations focused on underserved populations.
Wendy and her husband James live in Santa Barbara and have two grown children.