Centennial Celebration with the Junior League

Glitz, glamour, and grandeur reigned when the Junior League of Santa Barbara, which marks its centennial next year, hosted its 13th annual gala at the Rosewood Miramar, with 170 guests raising around $50,000.

The boffo bash, chaired by Hilary Rost and co-chaired by Rachel Brown and Ally Meier, kicked off with a VIP reception on the Great Lawn with harpist Anahita Holden strumming her strings, before a welcome from president Jenni-Elise Ramirez in the ritzy hostelry’s 6,560-square-foot Chandelier Ballroom.

Jill Rode was presented with the Sustainer of the Year award by Lindsay Cortina, former president. With over 10 years of experience, she has raised millions of dollars for organizations including the Girl Scouts, Santa Barbara Symphony, the Red Cross, and Santa Barbara Zoo.

Rode currently serves as Director of Philanthropy at the Music Academy and Conference Chair of So Cal Charitable Gift Planners. In 2021 she was named Volunteer of the Year for the Dream Foundation’s Flower Empower.

Megan Chanda, a senior deputy district attorney with the Santa Barbara County District, was presented with Woman of the Year by Valerie Amparan, also a former president. She is responsible for prosecuting all human trafficking cases for the southern half of the county and dedicates her life outside the courtroom to training law enforcement officers on the investigation process of domestic violence cases and cases involving internet crimes against children.

Chanda joined the district attorney’s office in 2015 and served as an executive board member of the Santa Barbara Deputy District Attorneys Association for seven years, holding the position of Vice President for much of that time.

The night of opulence and high-end sophistication concluded with guests including Kielle Campbell Lindsey, Rob Barthelmess, and Antonio and Isela Trujillo dancing the night away to DJ Edu.

Quite the blast…