Virginia Benson Wigle is the founder of the Starfish Connection, the nonprofit organization whose mission is to make a difference, one life at a time by providing crisis funding to individuals and families facing sudden financial crises.

Virginia has passionately served in the nonprofit sector throughout Santa Barbara County for over thirty years. Before devoting her work full time to the Starfish Connection, Virginia spent twenty years at Planned Parenthood of Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo in varying positions from clinic staff to education, and administration, ultimately serving as Vice President of Education before retiring in 2015. She also served two terms on the California State legislative committee for Planned Parenthood affiliates in Sacramento.

Prior to working for Planned Parenthood, Virginia worked for the Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center (currently known as Stand Together to End Sexual Assault), volunteered at the Shelter Services for Women (currently known as Domestic Violence Solutions), and served as an advocate to support sexual assault survivors at the University of California, Santa Barbara’s (UCSB) Women’s Center. She has served as a board member for the Carpinteria Lou Grant Parent/Child Workshop, Carpinteria Education Foundation, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and Domestic Violence Solutions.

After Virginia retired in 2015, she planned to enjoy spending more time with her husband, John Wigle, but life had other plans. In 2017, John was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and passed away in 2018. Virginia and John had dreams about creating a nonprofit where shared life experiences and storytelling come together to help others feel connected. John believed that by making a difference for one, we can affect all. These guiding beliefs helped shape the mission of the Starfish Connection and Our Story Connection, its community storytelling project. It is through the Starfish Connection, and Our Story Connection that Virginia is fulfilling their dream, and honoring her beloved John.