Meet Polina Kreuz, SBTHP’s New Development & Presidio Neighborhood Coordinator

By Kevin McGarry, Associate Director for Public Engagement  

Polina Kreuz began her work here at the Santa Barbara Trust For Historic Preservation (SBTHP) in September 2025. As SBTHP’s first-ever Development and Presidio Neighborhood Coordinator, Polina has stepped into an important new role on our Advancement team. Polina splits her time supporting SBTHP’s institutional fundraising efforts and growing membership program, as well as operating the new membership program for Presidio Neighborhood businesses that is supported by the Presidio Neighborhood Advisory Council, an Affinity Group of SBTHP.  

Polina recently relocated to Santa Barbara from her home-state of Illinois, after graduating with a B.S.in Integrated Marketing Communications from Illinois State University in May 2025. Polina's passion for bringing people together, along with her social media, marketing and administrative chops, makes her a great fit for our new Development and Presidio Neighborhood Coordinator role.  

Tell us a little about yourself and your upbringing/family.  

I grew up in Central Illinois in a faith-based home with a loving mom, dad, and sister. My childhood was simple and sweet, filled with dancing, drawing, baking, playing outside, and spending time with friends. My mother is from Belarus, which explains my Russian name! When I was younger, I had the opportunity to visit my family there. I also spent a lot of time with my dad’s side of the family, in Ohio. I’m blessed to have lots of cousins who have become some of my closest friends! 

A big part of my childhood was gymnastics. From elementary school age to my senior year of high school, I practically lived at the gym, where I trained year-round for competitions. I loved flipping through the air and channeling my energy into something so fulfilling. Looking back, I now realize how special it was to grow up as an athlete, and how many valuable life lessons I gained from such an intense sport!  

What did you do professionally before joining the SBTHP team? 

In May, I graduated from Illinois State University with a B.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications, making this my first post-grad job! However, through internships and other roles in college, I gained experience in social media marketing, communications, and strategic marketing across small businesses, corporate, and educational settings. Now, I get to add non-profit work to the mix! 

Throughout college, I discovered how much I genuinely enjoy marketing, design, and creativity in general. I love bringing ideas to life through designing flyers, taking photos, and editing videos, which has led me to do my own freelance work as well. 

Tell us why you chose to work at SBTHP? 

When moving from Illinois to Santa Barbara, I hoped I would find a role that felt purposeful and connected to the local community. I wanted a position that would let me use my marketing skills in a meaningful way. So, when I learned about this position and SBTHP, I was shocked at how much this role seemed to offer all the things I had hoped for! I really admire SBTHP’s unique mission to preserve the history of Santa Barbara and the impact it has on the community through events, programs, venues, and more. It’s a special organization to be a part of! 

What do you enjoy most about the role and what projects are you working on now? 

So far, I’ve enjoyed meeting so many people through my new role. In my short time here, through connecting with Presidio Neighborhood business owners, meeting event attendees, and working alongside local professionals, I’ve already felt so connected to this community. I’ve also enjoyed the combination of dynamic projects and structured tasks associated with my role, which has made each week feel exciting and different. Plus, I love working in an area surrounded by Santa Barbara’s rich history and culture. The beauty never gets old! 

Recently, I led marketing efforts for the first Presidio Neighborhood Holiday Stroll event. It was a quick-moving project that taught me so much and was very rewarding to see come to life. Looking ahead to 2026, I’m excited to continue working on Presidio Neighborhood initiatives, such as creating social media content to highlight the incredible businesses, history, and people here! 

Tell us something interesting about yourself we would never guess... 

A fun fact about me is that I recently ran my first half marathon! My younger self would definitely have never seen this coming. I grew up disliking running, and I never thought I could or would run a long distance. Before joining this community in September, the longest I had ever run was three miles straight! However, I decided to challenge myself, and I ended up completing the Santa Barbara Half Marathon held last month, in November. It was such a proud moment for me!