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Meet Celest
Celest Mendoza has lived in District 1 for all 27 years of her life. She’s a program manager in workforce development, spends her days helping Santa Maria residents find jobs and go back to school — and she’s running for City Council because she’s tired of watching this district get overlooked.
Celest Mendoza was born and raised in Santa Maria’s District 1, where she grew up playing softball, walking to friends’ houses, and spending afternoons at local parks. Those early experiences and a family history of community service shaped her love for teamwork and her commitment to helping others.
She earned her B.A. in Sociology and Cultural Anthropology from UC Santa Barbara and has spent the past five years working in workforce development at Goodwill Industries. Celest started as an admin and worked her way up to Program Manager, supporting youth, adults, and families across Santa Barbara County as they navigate barriers to employment and education. She now oversees a team of case managers, manages workforce programs, leads community outreach, and serves on the board of the Lompoc Teen Center, all while pursuing her Master’s in Public Administration.
Celest believes Santa Maria can grow while staying true to the values that make it home. Inspired by her family, especially her niece Leya, she’s committed to uplifting the people and neighborhoods that have shaped her life and build a Santa Maria fit for the present and future residents and generations.
“Listening to the people and organizations who are on the ground; serving our community and standing up for local workers, helps shape the kind of leadership Santa Maria deserves.”
— Celest Mendoza
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