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Board Members

Jennifer Gibb

Board Member

Jen Gibb joined the Napa Valley Education Foundation Board of Directors in 2020 and has since served as Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. That gives her a view of the Foundation from every seat on the executive committee. As Treasurer, she brings a finance background to NVEF's budgeting, financial reporting and stewardship of donor dollars. Professionally, Jen is Vice President of Business Development at Van Pelt Construction Services (VPCS), a California program and construction management firm founded in 1996 and headquartered in Fairfield. She leads the firm's business development statewide and runs program and construction management for its education markets, overseeing more than $8.5 billion in school construction for districts across California. She presents regularly on school facilities funding, including state matching programs and developer impact fees, for organizations such as the Coalition for Adequate School Housing (C.A.S.H.). Her connection to Napa schools goes back to her time as a Facilities Financial Analyst at Napa Valley Unified School District. She also served as Vice President at King Consulting. Jen holds a BS in Business with a concentration in Finance from Sonoma State University. She and her husband, Jeremy, are raising their children, Alanah and Malcolm, in Napa.

Jamie Johnson

Secretary

Tami Hendriksz

Board Member

Pamela Redmond

Board Member

Rick Turko

Board Member

Rick Turko

Board Member

Rick Turko “retired” in 2005 after almost 30 years of work in Accounting and Information Technology positions at various companies, including Amazon.com, Oracle and Dun & Bradstreet. Following his relocation to Napa from Seattle in 2007, Rick became an active member of the Napa Valley Unity League as well as a significant contributor to Napa Valley LGBTQ Pride and the Napa Valley AIDS Walk. In 2009 he founded the Napa Guerilla Gay Bar – a not-for-profit social and philanthropic organization with the purpose of building community and supporting Napa Valley businesses and organizations. He is the Founder and Chief Bean Counter at Rick Turko Bookkeeping and Consulting Services. A graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in Accounting, Rick is also a voice actor and enjoys travel, craft cocktails and entertaining friends with his husband Rob at their home in the Terrace-Shurtleff neighborhood of Napa.

Kevin Reid

Board Member

Cheryl Payan

Board Member

Duncan Young

Board Member

Christine Searight

Board Member

Christine Searight

Board Member

As Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for NorthBay Health, Christine Searight provides strategic oversight for all marketing, branding and communications functions, driving initiatives that strengthen organizational reputation, advance digital transformation, and enhance patient and community engagement. Christine is a visionary marketing and communications executive with more than two decades of experience leading brand strategy, digital engagement, and public relations initiatives across healthcare and media organizations. Before joining NorthBay Health, Christine served as Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Children’s National Hospital, where she led a 50-member team in developing award-winning campaigns that elevated brand awareness, expanded market reach, and increased patient acquisition. Her prior roles include leadership posts at George Washington University Hospital, USA TODAY, Rent.com, and the National Geographic Channel, where she built a record of success in developing high-performing teams, driving growth, and advancing brand equity through innovative, data-driven strategies. Known for her collaborative leadership style, creativity and results-driven approach, she brings passion and purpose to connecting communities with trusted, compassionate care. Christine holds both a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in History and International Affairs from the George Washington University.

Jennifer Stewart

Executive Director

Jennifer Stewart

Executive Director

Jennifer Stewart, Executive Director, MPA is a proud graduate of Napa schools. Since she started at the Foundation in 2014, the organization’s budget and staffing has grown in size with a focus on expanded direct service programming. With a child in our local public school system, she is committed to building student support systems to ensure all youth graduate with the tools they need to succeed in life. In 2024, Jennifer received the Center for Volunteerism and Nonprofit Leadership’s prestigious Heart of Napa Excellence in Leadership Award in recognition of her decade-long service at NVEF and highly impactful community leadership. Jennifer graduated from University of Santa Barbara with a bachelors in English and holds a Masters degree in public administration. She is a Class 20 graduate of Leadership Napa Valley.

Kristin Anderson

Director of Programs

Kristin Anderson

Director of Programs

After earning a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Sonoma State University, Kristin Anderson entered the nonprofit world to explore her passion for education and music. With more than a decade of experience in fundraising and program management for Napa Valley Education Foundation, Kristin has built a sustainability plan that helps to support the organization's long term goals. As our Director of Programs, Kristin manages the evaluation process for each program area, helping program staff collect and analyze data to continually improve student outcomes. Kristin was awarded the 2020 CanDo Spirit Award, and has received recognition from US Congress and California State Legislature for her work at NVEF.

Andrea Antonaccio Wagner

Director of Operations

Andrea Antonaccio Wagner

Director of Operations

Andrea Antonaccio Wagner serves as Director of Operations at the Napa Valley Education Foundation, overseeing facilities and operational strategy. She previously held leadership roles in development and admissions at The Oxbow School. Once the school closed, she helped guide the organization through its dissolution. Andrea has spent much of her career in the visual arts, with experience across commercial galleries, nonprofit art spaces, and arts education. She resides in the Napa Valley with her family.

Amy Little

Director of Development

Amy Little

Director of Development

Before joining NVEF, Amy spent nearly a decade at ServiceNow building high-impact demand marketing teams and leading community-driven marketing. She brings that same builder’s mindset to philanthropy—pairing clear strategy with genuine, relationship-first stewardship. At NVEF, Amy is focused on activating the new Discovery Campus and growing support for core programs in music, wellness, and career readiness. A Napa resident, she is inspired by the way local generosity shapes real opportunities for young people and their families. Amy is energized by partnering with individuals, foundations, and companies who want to invest in meaningful, measurable outcomes for kids.

Mario Piombo

Director of Communications

Mario Piombo

Director of Communications & Marketing

With more than 10 years of experience supporting innovative public education initiatives, Mario Piombo leads the charge in marketing, communications, and storytelling for the Napa Valley Education Foundation. Prior to working at NVEF, Mario was Director of Innovation at NapaLearns and also worked in the San Francisco Unified School District’s Curriculum and Instruction Division as an educational technologist and a learning systems manager. In addition to his work at NVEF Mario also owns and operates Aperture Media & Design, a small production company in Napa, CA.

Program Staff

Karla Coleman

Program Manager, Youth Experience

Karla Coleman

Program Manager

Karla Coleman is a Napa native and graduate of Vintage High School, and alumna of Napa Valley College. After working in retail she took time to focus on raising her children. Karla came to the Napa Valley Education Foundation after becoming involved in her elementary school's Family Club where her focus was fundraising. After several years working in development for the Foundation she recently moved into the role of Music Connection Manager.

Megan McConnell

Program Manager, Community Learning & Partnerships

Megan McConnell

Program Manager

After earning her BA in Communication from Saint Mary’s College of CA, Megan moved to the beautiful Napa Valley to follow her calling to work in youth serving nonprofits. With seven years of experience working with and for public school students in Contra Costa County, she has become passionate about dismantling barriers between students and their success. At NVEF, Megan designs, instructs and executes initiatives in Career Readiness, Teacher Innovation and Health & Wellness with student’s needs, hopes and dreams in mind.

Daisy Zamora

Program Manager, Instruction

Daisy Zamora

Program Manager

Following her graduation from Napa High School, Daisy transitioned into the nonprofit sector while attending Napa Valley College. In 2022, she earned her associate's in Sociology. Now, attending Sacramento State, Daisy is pursuing a bachelor's in Social Work to further her impact on community well-being. Beyond her professional endeavors, Daisy finds rejuvenation in the outdoors, providing not only physical wellness but also serving as a source of inspiration for her advocacy work.

Jocelyn Lara

Program Coordinator

Jocelyn Lara

Program Coordinator

Born and raised in Napa, Jocelyn Lara has blended her passion for education and love for the arts. Jocelyn has a rich background in music, having actively participated in Napa’s music program from 4th to 12th grade. With a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UC Davis, she developed an interest in the nonprofit world and is working towards creating a positive impact on her community. Her goal is to contribute meaningfully to her community while bringing a unique perspective shaped by both sociology and the arts.

Yarely Chavez

Youth Specialist

Mia Ambrosio-Martinez

Program Assistant

Kat Coleman

Program Assistant

Rene Covarrubias

Program Assistant

Alexis Lopez

Program Assistant

Gael Moya Sanchez

Program Assistant

Hibi Perez

Program Assistant

Amy Valladares

Program Assistant

Development & Operations Staff

Christine Wedding

Grants Manager

Pedro Lopez

Marketing & Events Coordinator

Pedro Lopez

Marketing & Events Coordinator

Pedro is a Napa Valley native who attended New Technology High School and was a student-athlete at Napa High School. He graduated cum laude from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, in 2022 and returned home to pursue a career in marketing. After two years with a local company, Pedro sought a role more closely aligned with his values and passion for community impact. In 2025, he joined the Napa Valley Education Foundation as Events & Outreach Coordinator, where he proudly supports programs that expand opportunities for students across Napa County.