About Us Current NVEF Board Members Ruth Matz, President Ruth is a former public school educator with over 20 years experience in elementary, middle and high school classrooms across the US. She is aware of the challenges facing all students to learn at high levels and understands  the role of teachers, parents and the community to help them achieve their potential.  Her experience also includes private and public school administration as well as fundraising, grant writing and academic program development.  Having recently relocated to the US from Ireland,  She brings a fresh  perspective as well as solid knowledge of education reform for helping all children in Napa schools achieve success. Melinda Adams, Secretary Melinda grew up in Napa, graduating from Vintage High School. After receiving her degree from Pepperdine University, she began her career with State Farm Insurance and Financial Services. Melinda has been with State Farm for 20 years, and now serves as an agent in Napa. Melinda and her husband John have three children in public schools, so she is proud to be on the NVEF board to help raise funds to benefit our schools. Brenda Perry, Treasurer Brenda owns a CPA practice in Napa, and has many years of experience working with small businesses, individuals, and nonprofit groups providing tax, audit, and consulting services.  A native of San Mateo and a graduate of Cal Berkeley, she has lived in Napa for 7 years, and is married with two grown children.  She currently also serves on the Board of the Napa Rotary Club, and has previously served on the Boards of Napa Emergency Women’s Services (NEWS)  and Napa County Landmarks.  She is also a graduate of Leadership Napa Valley, Class XX.  Katie Aaron Katie became a board member in 2009. She graduated from Vintage High School, received a BA in History from UC Davis and taught at Vintage for 7 years prior to becoming a full-time mom. She has lived in Napa with her husband Jason for 13 years and they have two children with their oldest being a kindergartner at Vichy. Katie not only brings the perspective of a parent in the community, but that of an experienced teacher to the board. She is the current liaison to middle schools for the foundation. Debbie Alter-Starr Sara Brooks Swinder Cooper Donna Cordeiro Deb Mitchell, Past President Deb Mitchell has over 20 years of design and marketing experience. She is owner of Design Solutions Creative Group, and Crush, a wearable graphics company. Her background ranges from corporate branding and brochures to direct marketing programs and complete wine packages to website development/design and event marketing. She is a past National Board Member for Women for Winesense. Deb has served as the Napa Valley Wine Auction’s Visuals Co-Chair and created pro-bono graphics for the following organizations: her son's elementary school, Napa Valley Education Foundation, Hospice of Napa Valley, Napa County Landmarks and Climb Against the Odds for the Breast Cancer Fund. She resides in Napa with her husband Richard and son Robert. Alfredo Pedroza John Glaser (Advisory, Superintendent of the Napa Valley Unified School District) John Glaser is Superintendent of the Napa Valley Unified School District, a position he assumed in February of 2003. His educational roles have included teaching, directing a community education program, and managing special projects, as well as service as a principal and in a variety of “central office” positions. John’s degrees include a BA from Stanford University, an M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and an Ed. D. from the University of California, Berkeley. Jose Hurtado (Advisory, Member of the NVUSD Board of Education) Rob Anglin (Advisory) Advisory ~ Rob Anglin joined NVEF's Board of Directors in 2007. Rob is an attorney with the law firm of Dickenson, Peatman & Fogarty, and his practice focuses on land use, development, and environmental matters. Rob previously served as Treasurer and Secretary of the Napa County Bar Association and lives in Napa with his wife, Megan Healy. Suzanne Scallion (Advisory) Suzanne Scallion joined the board in January, 2009. Suzanne is a Principal at Alta Heights Elementary School and has worked as a Principal for 14 years in California and Massachusetts. She believes strongly that foundations such as NVEF are essential to advocate for and provide resources to our schools and children. As a community, we must find ways to restore our schools that have been devastated by over a decade of cuts. Frank Silva, Jr (Advisory) Frank is born, raised, and attend school in Napa.  He came back to Napa as a Dean and Assistant Principal at Vintage. He went on to the elementary level as an Assistant Principal at Shearer, Principal at Alta Heights (where he attended as a student), and is the current Principal at Browns Valley Elementary School.  Frank has three children attending school in NVUSD.   Robin Hampton, Music Connection (Affiliate) Robin Hampton served for nine years on the Napa Valley Education Foundation and during that tenure chaired the Wine Festival and served as co-chair of the Grant Committee and was granted Director Emeritus status upon retiring in 1997.  In 1998, Robin took on the directorship of the Foundation’s Music Connection program. The program has grown and now serves over 1200 youth annually.  Having been born and raised in Napa, and returning after college with her husband to raise their family here, Robin has a passion for Napa schools and the community.  If you are interested in serving on the Napa Valley Education Foundation Board of Directors please click here.