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Leadership Napa Valley has launched Class 39, welcoming 29 community leaders into its 11-month leadership development program focused on civic leadership, community engagement and collaboration.
Representing a broad cross-section of Napa Valley's business, nonprofit, education, healthcare, agriculture, hospitality and public sectors, Class 39 was selected through a competitive application process and will spend the next year exploring the issues, opportunities and organizations that shape Napa County.
Throughout the program year, participants will take part in immersive program days focused on topics including sustainability, agriculture, health and human services, criminal justice, local government, tourism, education, arts and culture, business and economic development, and land use planning. Participants will also work together to complete a community-based practicum project designed to create a lasting positive impact in Napa County.
"Leadership Napa Valley is about more than developing individual leaders — it's about building stronger connections across our community," said Holly Dawson, President of the Leadership Napa Valley Board of Directors. "Class 39 brings together an impressive group of individuals who are curious, engaged and committed to making Napa Valley an even better place to live, work and do business. We are excited to see the relationships they build and the impact they will create over the coming year."
Mary Rezek, Program Director for Leadership Napa Valley, said the program's greatest strength is its ability to bring together people with different experiences and perspectives.
"One of the most powerful aspects of Leadership Napa Valley is the opportunity to learn from one another while gaining a deeper understanding of our community," Rezek said. "Over the next 10 months, Class 39 will challenge assumptions, build meaningful relationships and discover new ways to lead and serve. I look forward to seeing how they grow both individually and collectively throughout the program year."
Leadership Napa Valley Class 39 includes:
Since 1987, Leadership Napa Valley has developed informed, engaged and connected leaders committed to strengthening Napa County through civic participation, volunteerism and community service. Graduates serve throughout the community as nonprofit board members, business leaders, educators, public servants, elected officials and volunteers.
Applications for Leadership Napa Valley Class 40 will open in spring 2027. Individuals interested in expanding their leadership skills, strengthening their understanding of the community and building lasting relationships across Napa County are encouraged to apply.
Leadership Napa Valley (LNV), a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening Napa Valley through leadership development, is proud to announce its 2026–2027 Board of Directors, including a new executive committee and several new board members who will help guide the organization's mission in the year ahead.
The 2026–2027 executive committee includes:
LNV also welcomes the following new board members:
Returning board members continuing their service include:
"As Leadership Napa Valley enters another exciting year, we are grateful for the talented leaders who have stepped forward to serve on our Board of Directors," said Holly Dawson, President of Leadership Napa Valley. "Their experience, passion, and commitment to community will help ensure Leadership Napa Valley continues to inspire and prepare leaders who make a lasting difference throughout Napa Valley."
Leadership Napa Valley also extends its sincere appreciation to the outgoing board members for their dedication and service to the organization:
The program culminates in team-based practicum projects that address local needs while strengthening participants' ability to lead through service. More than 1,000 individuals have graduated from Leadership Napa Valley, creating a network of alumni committed to improving the quality of life throughout Napa Valley.
Under the leadership of Program Director Mary Rezek (Class 33), Leadership Napa Valley continues to evolve while remaining true to its mission of cultivating informed, connected, and engaged community leaders.
Leadership Napa Valley Celebrates Class 38 Graduation and Community Impact Projects
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
Napa Valley Visionaries Team Partner Organization: Napa Valley Support Services Project: Workforce Inclusion: Napa's Employer Guide to Hiring Adults with Disabilities
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.
Leadership Napa Valley’s Business + Economic Development Day, held at the Andaz Napa provided participants with a comprehensive look at the forces shaping Napa Valley’s economic landscape. The program fay began with an engaging Economic Development and Economics Crash Course led by Dr. Rob Eyler of Sonoma State University, who presented a data-driven overview of regional economic trends and key economic principles. Participants then visited local businesses, including WineDown Media, Jeffries General, OHM Coffee Roasters, and Con Amor, gaining firsthand insight into entrepreneurship and innovation. Industry roundtable discussions connected attendees with leaders from sectors including entertainment, healthcare, finance, and philanthropy. The afternoon focused on practical applications through a session hosted by the City of Napa’s Economic Development Division, highlighting municipal growth strategies and community development efforts. The day concluded with Pitch Fest, reinforcing entrepreneurial thinking and effective business communication.
Medical Access Day in Napa Valley was a powerful reminder that healthcare is more than services—it’s dignity, equity, and connection. We had the opportunity to hear directly from providers, advocates, and community leaders working tirelessly to bridge gaps in care for our most vulnerable populations. From mobile clinics to culturally competent outreach, the innovation happening locally is inspiring and necessary. What stood out most was the shared commitment to meeting people where they are—whether that’s through language access, transportation solutions, or integrated behavioral health services. These aren’t just programs; they’re lifelines. Medical Access Day challenged us to think bigger, collaborate more deeply, and continue building a Napa Valley where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
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
LEADERSHIP NAPA VALLEY
PO Box 686
Napa, CA 94559
info@leadershipnapavalley.org
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