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One City: Many Stories, our 2024 Year-End Review, celebrates the inspiring leadership of Libby Pachares and Alec Nedelman at the Santa Monica Conservancy. Their dedication to preserving our city’s heritage has strengthened the organization and deepened their community engagement.

Alec and Libby were living in the pleasant West Los Angeles neighborhood of Cheviot Hills. With one child and another on the way, it was time to consider a more accommodating environment for their growing family and found it in Santa Monica.

Not only were Alec and Libby drawn to the benefits of living near the beach, with its stunning coastline and eclectic culture, the couple also valued Santa Monica’s strong public education system.

After retiring from a career in entertainment law and a decade of volunteer work at the Los Angeles Music Center, Libby was eager to learn more about Southern California’s cultural history.

“I have always been a student of history,” she says, noting her particular fascination with the Hollywood lore at the heart of the Annenberg Community Beach House (ACBH).

Driven by a keen interest in Santa Monica’s colorful past, Libby joined the Conservancy. After serving on its Board, leading tours, and working on the Program Committee, she inspired Alec to get involved. After attending events and participating in strategic planning retreats as a volunteer, Alec became a Conservancy Board member.

Through their engagement with the community, Alec and Libby have forged meaningful connections with others who share their passion for history and preservation.

As a docent, Libby is thrilled when a visitor has some link to the historic site she is hosting. “I just really love the continuation of learning and [forming] connections,” she says.

Libby treasures the reciprocity of receiving new information from guests, even as she enlightens them with local history. “Being surrounded by people who have so much to offer, know so much about history and preservation, has added [great value] to my life,” she says. “It’s been fun just being an ambassador for the city.”

Alec recognizes how the Conservancy has evolved into a more formalized organization with a strong executive staff. Given his experience in real estate law, he sees the Conservancy’s potential as a local asset, leading in heritage conservation and community engagement.

Alec and Libby have seen firsthand how homeowners seek guidance from the Conservancy on preserving their historic neighborhoods, citing the South Beach District as an example of the organization’s role as a valuable community resource.

One of the Conservancy’s most significant impacts is its focus on preservation education and adaptive reuse – an essential approach for sustainable urban development. As the Conservancy seeks to activate the next generation of preservationists, Alec is curious about how students concerned about climate change might consider adaptive reuse as an opportunity for sustainable solutions to environmental concerns.

Alec’s message to volunteers and community members is clear: “The Conservancy [invites] continued involvement, where you can learn about the history and the stories [of Santa Monica], like with Philomathean Hall and Kuruvungna Springs. These are [local histories] people should know about. Find something that resonates with you and get involved.”

As we continue our membership drive One City: Many Stories, we invite you to join Libby and Alec in our vital mission.

Like Libby and Alec, we’re looking for members and volunteers who want to invest in leadership and mentoring the next generation of preservationists.

Together, let’s encourage new preservationists to celebrate our shared heritage. Your commitment to preserving our past, through your leadership, helps steward our future.

Contact Alissa: alissa@smconservancy.org for more volunteer details.

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