Meet Amber Ortiz, Newly Appointed Chair of the Board of Trustees

Amber Ortiz has served on Laguna Blanca School’s Board of Trustees for five years and was recently appointed Chair. The Board plays a vital role in the school’s leadership—setting strategic direction, safeguarding financial sustainability, and upholding Laguna’s mission through thoughtful oversight and long term stewardship.

Amber brings over 24 years of experience in private banking and wealth management and currently serves as Senior Vice President and Team Lead at City National Bank. A dedicated community leader, she serves on the boards of Laguna Blanca and The Towbes Foundation and is actively involved with United Way of Santa Barbara County. Amber and her husband, Steve, are proud Laguna parents with two children in the Lower and Middle Schools.

Laguna Blanca is a special and unique school with deep rooted core values, rigorous academic programming, and exceptional faculty dedicated to teaching and inspiring every student. We are a school community where intellectual curiosity is celebrated, the development of the whole student is nurtured, and educators are passionate about preparing students for a lifetime of learning. 

Both of our children—Isabella ’31 and Ethan ’35—have been at Laguna since kindergarten, each following their own unique path. Our private school journey began with a conversation with our pediatrician, who suggested that Izzie would thrive in a personalized academic environment, one that would both challenge her and offer the nurturing environment she needed to grow.

Steve and I visited several private and public schools, looking for the right fit for our family. From the very beginning, Laguna stood out. The school has embraced our children’s individual personalities, academic interests, and passions—whether it’s mastering a new math concept, overcoming stage fright, learning how to launch a small business, or building meaningful relationships with peers and teachers. Their growing love for learning has been nurtured every step of the way, laying a strong foundation for lifelong curiosity, confidence, and growth.

I’m excited to help carry forward the great progress the board and school have made as we head into our 93rd year. Our goal is to keep Laguna Blanca at the forefront of private schools, known for empowering students and creating opportunities that truly set them apart. I’m grateful to be part of the important work happening on the school campuses. 

We’re fortunate to have a dedicated and dynamic board that is committed to our school’s mission and long-term success. Our trustees include current parents from each division, alumni, and past parents, all united by their shared focus on the positive impact Laguna Blanca has on students, families, and the broader community.

This year, we’re excited to welcome four new trustees: Lindsay Ervin-Sharma, Nick Parsi, Stephen Sobhani, and David Trogan. Each brings a unique perspective and valuable expertise. Their fresh energy and insight will further strengthen the board’s ability to provide strategic leadership, thoughtful oversight, and meaningful support for our school’s continued growth.

Learn more about our Board of Trustees.

As we enter the second year of our strategic plan, I’m incredibly proud of the board’s visionary commitment to shaping the future of Laguna Blanca. Our plan is anchored in fiscal responsibility with a focus on growing our endowment to ensure we can continue to deliver excellent academic programing on our two beautiful campuses and remain the premier private school in our community.