Barbara Lanz-Mateo is the founder of Seastar Publications, Inc., a multi-media company, which produces Coastal Woman, an interactive Web site (www.coastalwoman.com), multiple events, and soon, a directory and map of women-owned businesses in the area. Her company is dedicated to connecting and highlighting women living and working in the Santa Barbara area.

In April 2007, Lanz-Mateo was recognized as one of the Top 50 Women in Business by the Pacific Coast Business Times. In June 2007, Lanz-Mateo was recognized by Women’s Economic Ventures as Business Woman of the Year.

Prior to starting the company in 2002, her work experience included stints as the editor of several Santa Barbara publications, including Montecito Magazine, Silicon 2.0 and Goleta’s Valley Voice. She also served as a teaching assistant for one year in the journalism department at Santa Barbara City College. Her writing has garnered numerous awards and her work has been published in the Fresno Bee, The Denver Post, Santa Barbara Independent, Montecito Magazine, This Month in Santa Barbara, Silicon 2.0 and Goleta’s Valley Voice.

She moved with her family from Denver to Santa Barbara in 1991. In Denver, Lanz-Mateo was employed in the oil and gas industry selling natural gas production from independent companies to end-users such as utilities and pipeline companies.
Lanz-Mateo studied business at the University of Denver and journalism at Santa Barbara City College. She has completed the self-employment training class at Women’s Economic Ventures in Santa Barbara, an organization dedicated to helping women become entrepreneurs.

Lanz-Mateo is the founding president of the Santa Barbara chapter of National Association of Women Business Owners and a regular member of Women’s Executive Network and Women in Communications.
When not in her office, she can usually be found spoiling her two cats, digging in the garden or tormenting her husband. She says she’s not certain which is her favorite pastime.