Heather Ames

Heather Ames is the Chief People Officer at Montecito Bank & Trust, where she leads the Bank’s people and culture strategy, including talent acquisition, organizational design, leadership development, compensation and rewards, engagement, and succession planning. With over 25 years of experience in human resources and managing teams, Heather brings deep expertise in building strong, engaged workplaces and aligning people strategy with business growth.

Since joining the Bank in 2008, Heather has been a trusted advisor to executive leadership and the Board, helping shape organizational structures, strengthen leadership capability, and sustain a culture of high associate engagement and performance.

Beyond the Bank, Heather is deeply committed to community service. She serves as Board President of CASA of Santa Barbara County, is a Board Member of Standing Together to End Sexual Assault (STESA), and supports other local nonprofits that strengthen families and communities across Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.

Heather studied Human Resources Management at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and is recognized for her calm, collaborative leadership style and her ability to drive organizational effectiveness while creating environments where people and businesses thrive.