Brandon Battle Appointed AHA! Director of Programs

Santa Barbara’s leading social and emotional intelligence program, AHA!, has announced the appointment of Brandon Battle as Director of Programs, effective January 1, 2022. Mr. Battle is an accomplished leader and highly creative collaborator who has worked tirelessly as part of the AHA! staff and administrative team for the past seven years to deliver the organization’s much-valued in-school and after-school youth programming. His efforts as a key facilitator and AHA! Peace Builders program director throughout the pandemic have ensured that AHA!’s support of area teens, educators, and parents continued without pause, with full programming on Zoom throughout periods of quarantine. His leadership throughout the past year helped AHA! to bring SEL programming to a total of 6026 teens, 430 educators, and 3312 adults/parents and guardians.

“As the Director of our AHA! Peace Builders program, Brandon was the clear choice to step into our Director of Programs role,” shares AHA! Executive Director Roxana Petty. “We are beyond grateful to have such a qualified and heart-centered professional lead our SEL programming.” Dr. Jennifer Freed, co-founder of AHA!, states, “Brandon’s vast warmth and curiosity make him a perfect fit for overseeing and developing AHA! programs, and for making sure all offerings are inclusive and relevant for diverse stakeholders and students in our community.”