About SYV Directory

Owners

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Jillian Knight is a co-owner of SYV Directory, a community resource originally created alongside Kady Fleckenstein during the COVID-19 pandemic. What began as a volunteer effort to help local businesses and residents navigate constantly changing guidelines quickly became a trusted source of information for the Santa Ynez Valley. Jillian studied Organizational Management at Penn State and is bilingual in Spanish and English. She remains committed to supporting the local community through her work with Grateful Heart Consulting, which she runs with her husband, Anthony, providing compliance and operational support services for local nonprofits and businesses. Her adult children are fourth-generation Santa Ynez Valley locals, reflecting her family’s deep roots and ongoing connection to the community.

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Maria Diaz is a co-owner of SYV Directory and studied Business Administration at Santa Barbara Business College. As a native Spanish speaker, she is passionate about autism advocacy and brings a deeply personal perspective through her role as a caretaker for her younger brother, Paul, who has autism. Maria has worked for a local nonprofit and is dedicated to supporting the community by providing relevant information, resources, and connection. Through her work, she hopes to help build a stronger sense of togetherness throughout the Santa Ynez Valley.