Arts and Culture Day reminded our leadership class that creativity plays an important role in understanding community and ourselves. We definitely had an opportunity to be creative and all were we all actors during the day, and some of us even showed real potential. As we entered the Napa Valley College Performing Arts Center, we were greeted with the usual fanfare of breakfast goodies and donuts, which truly set the stage for an engaging day.
The artist panel provided thoughtful perspectives on how the arts and community support influence individuals who pursue creative careers. Our class then tried acting and building scenes within our small groups. The activity was fun, eye-opening, and challenging, revealing just how creative and intuitive many of our classmates are.
A tour of the arts center reminded us of the incredible resources we have right in our own backyard. Later, we visited the Napa Valley Education Foundation and participated in visual art and leadership exercises. The day ended with an inspiring performance by the Napa High School Vocal Music group.
These expressions of Art often act as the glue that creates our identity and enriches our way of life in our community.
Choir Performance
Shaping Napa County’s Skyline While Preserving Agriculture: LNV Class 38 Explores Land Use Planning
What does it actually take to move a project from a blueprint to a ribbon-cutting? Leadership Napa Valley Class 38 went behind the scenes for Land Use Planning Day to find out. Hosted at Napa City Hall, the day offered an immersive look at the policies, politics, and partnerships that shape our community’s footprint.
The class engaged with top-tier experts, including County and City Planning Directors, to demystify "Planning 101"—from affordable housing, transportation, and urban design to the complexities of historical and cultural insights, with an eye on economic development. Highlights included:
1) The Developer’s Lens: Real-world insights on the "cranes downtown" and the delicate balance of risk in real estate development and community benefit.
2) The "Cinedome" Challenge: Small groups stepped into the role of developers, crafting visionary proposals for the iconic Cinedome site with some very creative ideas for development of the sites.
3)The Hot Seat: Groups presented their plans to a mock Planning Commission of local officials, experiencing firsthand the "charged environment" of public decision-making.
By the end of the day, Class 38 walked away with a deeper understanding of how to influence the decisions that define Napa Valley’s future.
On February 20, 2026, Leadership Napa Valley’s Education Day explored Napa Valley’s educational landscape. The day started at the Napa County Office of Education, where Superintendent Josh Schultz outlined the county’s educational structure, followed by tours of new preschool classrooms and a Wellness Center. Next, we traveled via electric school bus to Alta Heights Elementary, where NVUSD Superintendent Dr. Rosanna Mucetti shared candid, data-driven insights about the district, followed by a school tour. At Silverado Middle School, students warmly welcomed us and led a tour of their campus. Lunch at Camille Creek featured a student panel, offering firsthand perspectives on their educational experiences within NVUSD, followed by a tour of the school’s programs. The day concluded at Napa Valley College, where President Dr. Torence Powell highlighted higher education initiatives, ending with a social at the college’s winery. This immersive experience showcased both the challenges and successes of Napa Valley’s education system, inspiring attendees to consider how they can contribute as community leaders. It was a truly impactful and thought-provoking day!
On Tourism Day, Class 38 got a true taste of why millions of visitors travel to Napa Valley each year. Thanks to the incredible hospitality of the Visit Napa Valley team, we spent the day exploring our own backyard like excited tourists, enjoying a delicious lunch at Louis M. Martini and wonderful wines at Goosecross Cellars. Platypus Tours whisked us around the valley as we visited standout lodging destinations, including two beautifully restored historic inns, The George and The White House near Downtown Napa, along with the stunning Alila hotel in St. Helena. In the afternoon, leaders from the founding and management of the Tourism Improvement District shared how essential our hospitality industry is in generating TOT dollars that support every city's general fund and help each community share its unique story. It was an inspiring day that showcased the incredible range of experiences waiting for visitors and locals alike.
For Immediate Release
Application Period Open for Leadership Napa Valley Class 39
-Deadline is April 3, 2025-
NAPA COUNTY (February 17, 2026) – Applications are now open for Leadership Napa Valley (LNV) Class 39, a long-standing community leadership program dedicated to developing, inspiring, and engaging current and future leaders in Napa County.
Leadership Napa Valley welcomes applicants from the private, public, and nonprofit sectors who live or work in Napa County and are interested in strengthening their leadership skills and community involvement.
Participants will strengthen their leadership skills, gain insight into key community issues, build lasting relationships with other local leaders, and collaborate on projects that create meaningful community impact — all while having fun.
Class 39 will meet 16 times from August 2026 to June 2027, covering topics such as tourism, agriculture, criminal and legal justice, business and economic development, government, health and human services, education, and arts and culture. Participants will also collaborate on a team project designed to create a lasting positive impact on the community.
Prospective applicants are invited to attend one of the following informational sessions:
RSVP is requested: Leadership Napa Valley - Events
Criminal and Legal Justice Day was an unforgettable, behind-the-scenes look at how public safety and justice work together in Napa County. The day kicked off with an introduction to local law enforcement agencies, giving participants a clear picture of how the agencies intersect to serve the community. We then toured the brand-new Napa County jail facility, gaining firsthand insight into modern corrections and rehabilitation efforts - followed by a much-appreciated lunch from Mother’s Tacos!
The afternoon featured powerful presentations from the Napa County Victim Witness Program and Judge Lind, highlighting the human impact of the justice system and the importance of accountability, compassion, and due process. The day wrapped with an engaging Q&A panel that brought it all together, featuring the Sheriff, Police Chief, Public Defender, Deputy District Attorney, and Judge Lind. Their candid discussion sparked thoughtful questions and real-world insight into leadership, ethics, and collaboration in government.
LNV participants left informed, inspired, and energized about civic leadership and public service.
Leadership Napa Valley (LNV) is pleased to announce upcoming Informational Mixer dates for individuals interested in applying to Class 39, our next cohort of community leaders.
Leadership Napa Valley is a premier leadership development program designed to connect, educate, and empower individuals to become more effective leaders in business, government, and community service. Through immersive, behind-the-scenes experiences and collaboration with a diverse group of participants, LNV equips leaders with the skills, insight, and relationships needed to help shape Napa Valley’s future.
Participants in Leadership Napa Valley will:
Gain insider insight into Napa Valley’s government, economy, and community
Build lasting relationships with a diverse and influential network of leaders and alumni
Develop critical leadership skills to drive meaningful change
Participate in hands-on projects that create real community impact
Whether you are a business professional, nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, or civic-minded resident, Leadership Napa Valley offers a unique opportunity to elevate your leadership and service.
Thursday, March 5 Napa Valley College – Wine Education Complex 2277 Napa Vallejo Highway, Napa
Thursday, March 12 Napa Valley Vintners 1475 Library Lane, St. Helena
Wednesday, March 25 Lucky Penny Productions 1758 Industrial Way #208, Napa
Those interested are encouraged to complete the Interest Form found on the APPLY TO LNV page to receive an invitation to attend an Informational Session and learn more about joining Leadership Napa Valley Class 39.
If Leadership Napa Valley has been meaningful to you, we invite you to share your experience and help spread the word.
Together, we’re building the next generation of Napa Valley leaders.
Shape the Future of Napa Valley — Join Leadership Napa Valley Class 39!
Do you know someone who’s passionate about Napa Valley and ready to make a lasting impact? Leadership Napa Valley (LNV) will soon begin accepting applications for Class 39, and we invite you to help us spread the word.
If LNV has been meaningful to you, share your story and encourage friends, colleagues, and community leaders to take part in this transformative experience.
Why Join Leadership Napa Valley?
Leadership Napa Valley is a premier leadership development program that connects, educates, and empowers individuals to become more effective leaders in business, government, and community service. Through immersive, behind-the-scenes experiences and collaboration with fellow participants, LNV equips leaders with the skills and relationships needed to shape Napa Valley’s future.
Participants will:
Connect with a diverse and influential network of leaders and alumni
Engage in hands-on projects that create real community impact
Whether you’re a business professional, nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, or civic-minded resident, Leadership Napa Valley will elevate your ability to lead and serve.
Interested? Complete the interest form to receive an invitation to our upcoming Informational Sessions and learn more about joining Class 39.
INTEREST FORM
Together, let’s build the next generation of Napa Valley leaders.
Leadership Napa Valley's Class 38 was welcomed to City Hall for Government Day which kicked off with a refresher on civics, an exploration of city and county budgets, and a fireside chat with Napa City Manager Steve Potter and Napa County CEO Ryan Alsop.
Class 38 next enjoyed lunch at the Napa City Fire Department where officials and members from various services in Napa County rotated through the tables for Q&A sessions. Deputy Fire Chief Ty Becerra facilitated a demonstration of the Fire Department’s receipt and response to a call, demonstrating how quickly the team mobilizes into action.
Then came the cornerstone of the day – a mock city council meeting where Class 38 took on roles like Mayor, City Council Member, Town Staff, and engaged citizens to debate two hypothetical scenarios – upholding the town ordinance on the number of chickens allowed per household and authorizing funding for a new sports complex.
We’re delighted to highlight an inspiring example of how Leadership Napa Valley alumni continue to foster and expand community-driven initiatives. Molly’s Angels was selected as a practicum project for Class 37, where team members Ana Baber, Anne Retterer, Jolie Baumgardner, Natalia Ramírez Guzmán, and Rigo Nava partnered with the organization to help broaden its offerings. Together, they introduced a free curb-to-curb van service for seniors living in Napa County. The van—purchased by Molly’s Angels with generous support from Napa County Health and Human Services—was a vital first step in launching a program aimed at reducing social isolation and improving quality of life by providing reliable transportation to community hubs such as the library, farmers market, senior center, and local shopping centers. .
What began with a single van on a targeted route has grown in response to community needs and feedback. One early innovative idea came from Ana Baber, who suggested expanding the service to include transportation to and from Agape Napa Valley, helping seniors access emergency food and essential services. This connection expanded the reach of the van program while weaving together two organizations committed to serving vulnerable populations.
“The practicum team brought us fresh eyes and bold ideas,” said Deveraux Smith, Executive Director, Molly’s Angels. “Their work didn’t just help us launch a service—it helped us build a bridge between seniors, food access, and community connection. We’re still seeing the ripple effects today.”
Reflecting on the project’s lasting impact, Ana Baber shared, “We wanted to design something that solved more than one problem. Connecting Molly’s Angels with Agape Napa Valley felt like a natural fit—two organizations caring for people in different but complementary ways. Seeing the partnership continue is incredibly rewarding.”
This collaboration is a powerful example of how LNV alumni and current members recognize and strengthen the interconnections between local organizations—working together to meet multiple community needs and amplifying their collective impact.
So, we ask you, our alumni: What stories do you have about your practicum projects? How have they lasted, evolved, and connected with other organizations to create meaningful, lasting change? We’d love to hear and share your experiences!
mailto:admin@leadershipnapavalley.org
LEADERSHIP NAPA VALLEY
PO Box 686
Napa, CA 94559
info@leadershipnapavalley.org
© 2024 Leadership Napa Valley. All Rights Reserved
