Woman Of Distinction Award 2017

Robin Hill

Santa Barbara Associates 2017 Woman of Distinction—Robin Hill Cederlof—has a long, illustrious history of service to our community. Her nomination includes the words community support, volunteer and philanthropist. Humble, kind, selfless and upbeat also characterize her.

Robin, a 5th generation Goletan, has roots in our community dating back to 1874 when her great, great grandfather sailed around the tip of South America and established a ranch in Goleta where he started farming lima beans, Goleta’s first commercial crop. She attended Goleta schools and SBCC. Professionally she was a radiology technician for several decades before retiring and becoming a full-time volunteer. Robin and her husband Reid have a son, Colter, who is an engineer and lives in the Bay Area.

Robin’s family history has profoundly impacted her sense of duty to our community. She has been involved with Santa Barbara’s Old Spanish Days Fiesta since childhood, then at age 16 as a volunteer, and in more recent years as a marshal for 11 years. Last year, she was selected by the local chapter of the Native Daughters of the Golden West to represent Saint Barbara during Fiesta.

Under her direction as president of the Goleta Valley Historical Society, almost $2 million was raised for the restoration of Stow House & Rancho La Patera. Following that, Robin served on the Board of Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital Foundation to raise funds to rebuild the hospital. In 2006, the Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce crowned her Woman of the Year.

In addition to serving on the board of Santa Barbara Associates, other organizations and volunteer activities in which Robin has been actively involved include the Wildlife Care Network, animal rescue and evacuation efforts during local fires, and search and rescue efforts. She has traveled to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Dingle, Ireland with Santa Barbara Sister City programs. As a member of the Channel City Club and the local Committee on Foreign Relations, she has twice visited Washington, D.C. for the annual American Committees on Foreign Relations conference.

On the rare occasion she has spare time, Robin enjoys halibut fishing near her family’s cabin on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska, traveling, horseback riding, and spending time with friends.

Congratulations Robin on an award well deserved!

Santa Barbara Associates 2017 Woman Of Distinction