Leadership Napa Valley Celebrates Class 38 Graduation and Community Impact Projects
NAPA, Calif. (June 24, 2026) — Leadership Napa Valley will celebrate the graduation of Class 38 and showcase the community impact projects completed by participants during its annual Practicum Project Showcase and Graduation Ceremony on Friday, June 26.
The event marks the culmination of a 10-month journey of learning, growth, leadership development, friendship, and community engagement for emerging and established leaders from across Napa County.
The event will begin with the Practicum Project Showcase at 4:15 p.m., where participants will present the results of their community impact projects. The Graduation Ceremony will follow at 6:00 p.m., recognizing graduates for their commitment, curiosity, and leadership throughout the program year. Family members, friends, alumni, nonprofit partners, and community members are invited to attend.
Throughout the Leadership Napa Valley program, participants explore key issues affecting the community while building leadership skills, expanding their networks, and deepening their understanding of Napa County's nonprofit, business, education, government, and civic sectors.
A centerpiece of the program is the practicum project, in which the class works in teams to partner with local nonprofit organizations and address real-world challenges through research, strategic planning, community engagement, and project implementation.
"The Practicum Showcase and Graduation Ceremony celebrate not only the accomplishments of our graduates, but also the meaningful contributions they have made to our community," said Holly Dawson, President of the Leadership Napa Valley Board of Directors. "These projects reflect the creativity, dedication, and collaborative spirit that make Napa Valley such a special place to live and work."
"Class 38 represents the essence of Leadership Napa Valley: learning, connection, and service, said Mary Rezek, Program Director for Leadership Napa Valley. "Over the past 10 months, these participants have embraced the challenge of becoming more informed, engaged, and effective leaders. They have listened, learned, collaborated, and taken action. The practicum projects featured here are a powerful reminder that when talented individuals come together with a shared commitment to community, meaningful impact follows."
This year's practicum projects include:
Momentum! Team
Partner Organization: Teachers Resource Center of the North Bay
Project: Building the Future of Teacher Resources in the North Bay
High 5 Team
Partner Organization: CanV
Project: CanDo's Food Project Expansion
V.I.B.E.S. Team
Partner Organization: Rianda House
Project: From Senior Isolation to Community Connection
Nickel Squad Team
Partner Organization: Aldea
Project: Aldea Amplified: Expanding Awareness and Impact
Cheers to Change Team
Partner Organization: Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley
Project: The Great Futures Workforce Pathway
During the Practicum Showcase, graduates will share the stories behind their projects, including the challenges they addressed, lessons learned, individuals served, and community impact created through their work.
Leadership Napa Valley's Class 38 graduates are:
Andre Napolitano, Ashley Walker, Bob Magnani, Brendan Hurley, Carlos Martinez, Cassan Macaraig, Chloe Tyer, CJ Roby, Damian Bennett, Erin Callahan, Fatima Sosa Ortiz, Gannon Laidlaw, Geremy Ferguson, Hannah Redding, Hannah Sconzo, Jessica Lowe, Juana Lezama Bautista, Julia Newberry, Justin Tharp, Katie Stith, Kim Truong, Kirkaldy Myers, Leah Doyle-Stevens, Marcus Sitzman, Megan Cassady, Stephanie Bailey, Virginia Salter, Xiomara Ramos Villasenor, and Yuri DeLeon.
Since 1987, Leadership Napa Valley has helped develop informed, engaged, and connected leaders committed to strengthening Napa County through civic participation and community service. More than 1,000 alumni have completed the program and continue to make a lasting impact throughout the Napa Valley community.
