Human Rights Watch established a presence in Southern California more than a decade ago, convinced that the unique population, influence and resources of the region could be mobilized to defend human rights around the world. In Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, a vibrant community of supporters are engaged in raising awareness of human rights abuses, building financial support for Human Rights Watch, and strengthening HRW's local research and advocacy.

The California Committee was co-founded in Los Angeles by Jane Olson and Stanley Sheinbaum in 1989, and expanded to Santa Barbara in 2005. Committee members make a financial commitment to Human Rights Watch and participate regularly in outreach events and advocacy campaigns.

Santa Barbara Committee
Executive Committee
Victoria Riskin, Chair
Adrienne O'Donnell, Vice Chair
Honorable Susan Rose, Vice Chair
Joe Tumbler, Vice Chair
Benjamin Cohen
Rob Egenolf
Judy Egenolf
Ron Fox
Sherry Melchiorre, Ph.D.
Rita Moya
Jane Olson
Tom Parker
David W. Rintels
Karen Sinsheimer
Marsha Wayne

Bruce Anticouni
Judy Anticouni
Richard Appelbaum
Roman Baratiak
Robert Bason
Gary Becker
Mary Becker
Gay Browne
Tony Browne
Michael Colton
Ann Daniel
Phyllis de Picciotto
Dr. Hilal Elver
Nancy Englander
Dr. Richard Falk
Bill Felstiner
Carole Fox
Brad Ginder
Kathie Gordon
Mike Gordon
Annette Grant
Geoffrey Grant
Dr. Giles Gunn
Dr. Lisa Hajjar
Gary Hill
Cheryl Justice
Herbert Kendall
Nancy Walker Koppelman
Dorothy Largay
Nancy Lessner
Leatrice Luria
Sara Miller McCune
Donna Christine McGuire
Michael McGuire
Laurence Miller
Shirley Miller
Stan Roden
Barbara Sachs
Lynn Shafer
Perry Simpson
Laurie Tumbler
Bill Wayne