5/19/2022 – Saint Helena, CA – This week the second cohort of the tailor-made Napa Valley Vintners Leadership Program gathered to begin their journey as future leaders. This comes on the heels of the first cohort completing the program with four members of the group moving into leadership positions.
“In 2021, we developed the program after one of the most challenging times in our region’s history with the goal to help develop a new generation of leaders who will write the next and best chapter for Napa Valley,” said Linda Reiff, President and CEO of Napa Valley Vintners.
The NVV Leadership Program is a nine-month program that aims to help participants formulate innovative and visionary responses to challenges, develop strategic thinking and sharper decision-making skills, drive collective growth and help create a new generation of leaders. This year’s program is supported by a $25,000 Kaiser Permanente community grant.
Of those who participated in the first cohort, four have already risen to leadership roles within Napa Valley Vintners:
- Jaime Araujo, Owner of Troix Noix, Napa Valley Vintners Board of Directors
- Elizabeth Vianna, Winemaker and General Manager of Chimney Rock Winery, Napa Valley Vintners Board of Directors
- Priyanka French, Winemaker at Signorello Estate, Chair of 2023 Premiere Napa Valley
- Ingrid Cheng, DTC Senior Marketing Manager for Treasury Wine Estates, Chair of the 2022 Marketing & Communications Committee
“I was inspired and challenged by an incredible group of talented and smart individuals, all working towards a common goal – the health and sustainability of Napa Valley’s future. Taking on a leadership role on the Board of Directors is an amazing opportunity to help shape a community where everyone has a seat at the table and everyone is welcome,” said Jaime Araujo, Owner of Troix Noix and member of the NVV Board of Directors.
Part of the program is a final project of which the 2021-2022 cohort determined sustainability would be the focus. Their project helps to support the Napa THRIVES event series taking place June 7 to 23, 2022. The series is a changemaking convening to enable the Napa wine industry to leverage its powerful platform and set a standard for sustainability and climate action that galvanizes the global wine industry.
2021-2022 Cohort
- Jaime Araujo, Troix Noix
- Kelly Carter, Alpha Omega
- Ingrid Cheng, Beaulieu Vineyard
- Matt Crafton, Chateau Montelena
- Maya Dalla Valle, Dalla Valle Vineyards
- Dan de Polo, Darioush
- Ana Diogo-Draper, Artesa Vineyards & Winery
- Patrick Egan, Raymond Vineyards
- Priyanka French, Signorello Estate
- Linzi Gay, Clif Family Winery
- Amanda Harlan, BOND
- Stefanie Longton, Bennett Lane
- Will Phelps, Joseph Phelps Vineyards
- Alisha Sommer
- Elizabeth Vianna, Chimney Rock Winery
- Niki Williams
2022-2023 Cohort
- Malek Amrani, The Vice
- Evyn Cameron, Inner Circle Wine
- Dalia Ceja, Ceja Vineyards
- Melissa Devore, Amici Cellars
- Alicia Hoepfner, Inglenook
- Csilla Kato, Davies Vineyards
- Jason Lede, Cliff Lede Vineyards
- Michael Patland, Patland Estate Vineyards
- Jessica Rose, Seavey Vineyard
- Marisa Taylor
- Annie Waterson, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery
- Bryan Zupon, Roy Estate
The NVV Leadership Program was created in partnership with and is led by Dr. Jacques-Olivier Pesme who is the director of the Wine Research Center at the University of British Columbia. View what participants had to say about the program at: NVV Leadership Program 2021-2022 Video.
