If you attended the Business 2 Business Breakfast earlier this month, then you definitely met Ignacio Gallardo.  He was standing at the door, offering warm coffee to chilled hands and welcoming attendees with enthusiasm and a bright smile.  Ignacio Gallardo is one of the Goleta Valley Chamber's newest Ambassadors, but he has been an advocate for UCSB students for many years.

Ignacio first joined the team at UCSB Career Services seven years ago and has been connecting students with employers ever since.  He is an award-winning career counselor with invaluable leadership skills.  In 2008, Ignacio was the recipient of the Rising Star Award from the National Association of Colleges & Employers.  This honor is given each year to and individual who has demonstrated strong leadership potential and contributed significantly to the career services profession and NACE organization.  His primary role as Employer Relations Coordinator of Career Services at UCSB is to assist employers in developing successful recruiting plans on campus by serving as a liaison between recruiting employers and students. As a career counselor, he coaches students at all stages of the career development process from exploration to negotiation.  In addition, he specializes in using web 2.0 technologies and social media in the job search to develop a professional online presence. 

While he's a native of Argentina, his roots have been firmly planted in Santa Barbara soil for over 30 years.  Outside of his career of helping UCSB students start theirs, his hours spent volunteering and his participation in UCSB events, Ignacio is also an avid tennis player.  His wife, Carolyn, and baby girl, Liliana, are his biggest fans on and off the tennis court.  Ignacio is also an adventurer whose travels have taken him to Brazil for New Year's Eve, New York each year for the U.S. Open tennis tournament and also to Pamplona to run with the bulls!

As an Ambassador for the Goleta Valley Chamber, Ignacio attends at least two event per month, one of which is always the Business 2 Business Breakfast, which he says is "simply the best networking venue in town!"  He is a valued member of the Ambassadors team and consistently networks on behalf of UCSB to increase awareness of the Career Services available to local businesses.  Ignacio is a wonderful addition to the Ambassadors team and a valued member of the community!