Roxana Bonderson
Associate AIA
Principal Planner + Architectural Designer
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Roxana's extensive experience in architectural design, urban planning and state regulations (both internationally and locally in Santa Barbara County since1992) enables her to identify whether an issue may translate into an obstacle or an opportunity. Roxana has worked as a city planner in public regulatory agencies which has led to her to acquire an intricate understanding how projects are expected to be received and reviewed and the internal process to reach final permitting issuance. Her vast range of knowledge extends though all aspects of land development – from identifying an appropriate site for acquisition through designing and permitting a project through the final building inspection.
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Roxana grew up in Santa Barbara, California. Beginning in her undergraduate years at California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, she took every opportunity to travel extensively on her own, as well as study, live and work abroad in Italy, Germany, Cuba and Brazil. Within a few years, she had reached nearly every corner of the globe and had experienced a tremendous variety of cultures first hand. It was during this time that she began to lay the intellectual foundations of what was to eventually become Worldhealer, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that implemented community development projects in five countries and on three continents.​​
After compiling a broad and comprehensive perspective in approaching community development and strategic long term planning, both locally and internationally, Roxana is now a permanent fixture in Santa Barbara. She has collected over 20 years of architecture and city planning experiences between public agencies and the private sector. She is specialized in planning and project management located within the City and County of Santa Barbara and enjoys taking on meaningful projects that make a difference to her clients and the community.
Roxana is specialized in waterfront and city center revitalization development and long range master planning projects. She has obtained local planning experience while working at architecture studios, preparing Planning & Development and Building & Safety applications for submittal to the City and County planning agencies. She also worked as a planner at the County of Santa Barbara Planning & Development Department, reviewing development proposals, preparing staff reports, presenting project to different boards, and managing North and South County permit compliance projects.
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Roxana holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture and Urban Planning from Syracuse University with specializations in strategic planning, global management, marketing and international communication, sustainable development and financial resource management and a certification as a IFC Accredited Life Coach. Her degrees and certifications have given her the basis to manage both people and projects, but the emphasis in long-range strategic planning and project administration has further developed her ability in identifying and developing solutions at both the micro and macro level.
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Roxana is an active member of the humanitarian community as the author and designer of several proposals for development projects within emerging countries. She also participates in planning committees and community workshops to contribute to the growth and development of the city of Santa Barbara and her local community. She has been a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) since 1999, the National Association of Professional Women since 2010 and the American Planning Association (APA) since 2015. She has received multiple awards in Outstanding Leadership, as well a Top Female Executive Award for Excellence in Sustainable Development from the International Women’s Leadership Association.
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Roxana's passion for direct service to her community has led her to serve as a Planning Commissioner for the City of Santa Barbara from January 2020, acting as Vice Chair of the Planning Commission from January to November 2022 and as the Chair of the Planning Commission, starting ahead of schedule and continuing through the end of her term in December 2023. She was an active member of the City's of Santa Barbara's State Street Advisory Committee from its inception in 2021, and also acted as a liaison between the Planning Commission and the City's Architectural Board of Review and Transportation & Circulation Committee throughout her tenure.
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In January 2024, Roxana received a nomination to the California Housing Coalition's Board of Directors and proudly accepted the position, starting in February 2024. She continues to run Worldhealer, Inc., volunteering her time to provide global awareness programs to K-12 classrooms, and leadership and entrepreneurship training to young adults in the community.​
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