Russ Joy, Penny Mallen, and Richard Mendelson bring decades of combined experience in finance, philanthropy, and law to NVCF’s Board of Directors
July 7, 2026 (Napa, CA) — Napa Valley Community Foundation (NVCF) today announced the addition of three new members to its Board of Directors: Russ Joy, Penny Mallen, and Richard Mendelson. All three joined the Board when the Foundation’s new fiscal year began on the first of the month, bringing NVCF’s total board membership to 15.
“Russ, Penny, and Richard each bring a special combination of professional expertise and genuine care for this community,” said Terence Mulligan, CEO of Napa Valley Community Foundation. “Their experience in finance, philanthropy, law, and agriculture will strengthen our ability to serve donors and nonprofits across the Valley for years to come.”
Russ Joy is a seasoned finance executive with deep roots in the wine industry. Born and raised in a farming family in Buffalo, NY, he has spent 40 years building his career as a CPA, moving through GM, CFO, and COO roles at companies including Rutherford Wine Company, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, and Patz & Hall. Today he works as a consultant. Russ served on NVCF’s Finance Committee from 2021 to 2024 before joining NVCF’s Audit Committee in 2025.
Penny Mallen is a dedicated philanthropist whose career spans healthcare and education. Born and raised in Oshkosh, WI, she moved to San Francisco in the late 1960s, where she began her career as a surgical nurse at UCSF before making an unexpected pivot into philanthropy as the first-ever development staff member at her two sons’ independent high school. She spent a decade in development work before turning her attention to board service, sitting on several independent school boards, including Blue Oak School in Napa, where her grandchildren attended. Penny has served on NVCF’s Asset Development & Marketing Committee since 2024.
Richard Mendelson is an accomplished lawyer, writer, and sculptor with a long history of giving back. A wine industry attorney and author, he spoke to the NVCF Board in 2024 about themes from his recent book, Common Ground. He holds a BA from Harvard, an MA from Oxford, and a JD from Stanford Law School, and has spent decades as a partner at the Napa-based law firm Dickenson, Peatman & Fogarty. Richard founded and directed the Wine Law and Policy Program at UC Berkeley, and co-founded and served as President of the International Wine Law Association. Richard has served on NVCF’s Finance Committee since 2025.
NVCF’s full Board of Directors now includes: Pete Richmond (Chair), Michael Holman (Vice-Chair), Janelle Sellick (Vice-Chair), Doug Shafer (Secretary), Rick Jones (Treasurer), Manbin Khaira Monteverdi (Immediate Past Chair), Dr. Richard Anderson, Maria Cisneros, Pat Clarey, Maya Dalla Valle, Russ Joy, Indira Lopez-Jones, Penny Mallen, Richard Mendelson, and Meaghan Qian-Fu Becker. In addition to the board of 15, NVCF also has more than 45 volunteers who serve on committees for the Foundation.
About Napa Valley Community Foundation (NVCF)
Napa Valley Community Foundation works side-by-side with local donors and nonprofits to tackle the most important challenges the Valley faces. Now celebrating more than 30 years of service to the community, the Foundation has distributed more than $116 million in grants to improve the quality of life for residents of the region, and currently serves as the philanthropic partner to thousands of individuals, families, nonprofit agencies and corporations in Napa Valley and beyond. To learn more, visit napavalleycf.org.
