SEPTEMBER 18, NAPA, CA – Today the OLE Health Foundation announced Naoko Dalla Valle of Dalla Valle Vineyards has been elected to serve as Chair of its Board of Directors. Dalla Valle assumes leadership from Darioush Khaledi of Darioush Winery who completed his two-year term earlier this year.
“OLE Health is so important to Napa Valley, and I am very honored to be selected to take on the role of Foundation Board Chair,” said Naoko Dalla Valle. “As a vintner and a longtime resident, I know how vital OLE Health is to the workforce in Napa and to the community. I look forward to helping deepen the community support for its work.”
Since founding Dalla Valle Vineyards in 1986, she has been the guiding force behind her namesake winery, quietly earning a reputation as one of Napa Valley’s most respected vintners. Dalla Valle is also a respected leader within the larger Napa community and is dedicated to many philanthropic initiatives across the region. She served on the advisory board of the ALS Center at UCSF, raised funds for pediatric brain cancer research at UCSF, and was actively involved with Auction Napa Valley. Over the years, Dalla Valle has consistently shown her support for OLE Health, demonstrating her longstanding commitment to its mission.
“I have tremendous respect for Naoko and am thrilled she has assumed the role of Chair of the OLE Health Foundation Board,” said Sonia Tolbert, Chief Development Officer for OLE Health. “She is an incredibly successful leader in her own right, and having her time and expertise is invaluable to this organization.”
Joining Dalla Valle on the executive committee will be Will Phelps as Vice Chair, Suzanne Besú Truchard as Secretary, and Rick Jones will continue as Treasurer.
The OLE Health Foundation Board is comprised of luminaries across industries who share a passion and dedication to the mission of OLE Health. The Board provides financial guidance and support to OLE Health’s ongoing operations and special projects in Napa County, assuring that OLE Health has the funding to continue to provide high-quality primary healthcare to our entire community. Members are nominated by existing board members and voted unanimously to serve a 3-year term.
Current OLE Health Foundation Board members:
- Naoko Dalla Valle, Chair
- Will Phelps, Vice Chair
- Suzanne Besú Truchard, Secretary
- Rick Jones, Treasurer
- Steve Fink
- Sarah Hansen
- Darioush Khaledi
- Dan Lynch
- Carlton McCoy
- Peter McCrea
- Frank Naeymi-Rad
- Pete Richmond
- Claire Stull
- Barry Waitte
- Todd Zapolski
About the OLE Health Foundation
The OLE Health Foundation was started by vintner John Shafer in 1986 to ensure a more stable financial future for OLE Health. As a separate 501c3, the OLE Health Foundation’s mission is to raise money and build support for the work of OLE Health in Napa County. Its signature event, Vida OLE!, takes place each summer and includes three days of festivities geared toward celebrating the work of OLE Health and the special relationship the organization has with the vintner and business community in Napa. The Foundation is governed by a board of directors composed of community leaders. New members are nominated on a continuous basis and serve for a three-year term with no limit on reappointment.
