OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Our passionate board of directors at Sonoma Family Meal brings diverse expertise and visionary leadership, propelling our mission in Sonoma County. Their tireless efforts and philanthropic spirit drive positive change, making a tangible difference in countless lives. We are incredibly grateful for their invaluable contributions and unwavering dedication.

Heather is the dining editor for Sonoma Magazine and the Press Democrat and the founder of BiteClub, which jabs an irreverent fork at the local restaurant scene. An avid eater and writer, she has 15 years of experience covering local restaurants, chefs and food and has been a journalist for more than 25 years. She is a Jefferson Award Winner and was honored by the Community Child Care Council for SFM’s work during the Tubbs fire. She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University and has moved 32 times, settling in Sonoma County in 2003. Heather has two very quirky rescue dachshunds that like to stare at her.

Kevin is an experienced nonprofit leader with more than 25 years of expertise in organizational leadership, community service, and public policy. A Bay Area native, Kevin brings a passion for driving positive change and fostering innovation across sectors. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies from California State University, Sacramento, and a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership from National University, blending interdisciplinary knowledge with a commitment to practical impact.

Kevin's career spans a wide range of leadership roles, including serving as Executive Director of Meals on Wheels Sacramento County, where he expanded services for vulnerable populations and introduced technology-driven solutions to improve service delivery. He also served as President of Meals on Wheels California, advocating for statewide initiatives to help seniors "eat well and age well" and strengthening infrastructure to meet the needs of California’s growing aging population. Currently, Kevin serves as Director of Development for the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST), where he works to bridge scientific advancement and public policy, helping ensure that evidence-based insights drive decision-making for the future of California.

Sherry Huss is Co-founder of Maker Faire and a major advocate of “all things maker” in the global community. A former Vice President of Maker Media, her vision and passion have helped spark the maker movement and she has been instrumental in growing the Make: brand within the maker ecosystem. Sherry has recently joined The Freeman Company team as Innovator-in-Residence and is working on building out the new program with a focus around creating community/building tribes. She has over 30 years of technology marketing, management and event experience and has held senior management positions at MediaLive International, Key3Media, Ziff-Davis and Softbank. 

Naomi is the part-owner and chef of Lunchette and a community builder. She has been cooking for more than 33 years. She believes being part of a food system means taking care that all parts of that system thrive. “My purpose is to nourish my community, from the soil to the marginalized and all those in between, with the food I make and the actions I take.” Her restaurant is a Slow Food recipient, part of Zero Food Print, and has received an ethics award from Rotary. 

Naomi lives in Petaluma with her husband and partner, Joel, their son, Burton, and a rescue mutt, Cassie. Their daughter, Olive, comes home during school holidays… for now.

Blake is the CEO and Owner of Hatcher CFO Solutions, where he partners with growing companies and non-profit organizations to build the financial systems and strategies they need to scale with confidence. As an active CPA in California, he has more than 20 years of experience working with high-growth companies like TaskUs and Shine America, as well as businesses ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. He is seasoned in helping businesses mature and develop financial infrastructure geared to scale for companies across various sectors including technology, NGOs, consumer products, real estate, and media and entertainment. His expertise spans from leading corporate accounting departments and overseeing international financial operations to guiding management teams through confident, strategic decision-making. Prior to founding Hatcher CFO in 2018, he served on the board of directors for Partners for Potential, a Los Angeles area non-profit, where he served as Board Chair and guided the organization for 10 years.

Blake moved to Petaluma in 2022 with his wife and two children.

Lea M. Baylis is a business leader who specializes in aligning and inspiring teams to tackle challenges with a focus on social impact and corporate responsibility. Lea has a background in corporate social responsibility, including managing partnerships to facilitate community impact, and engaging with the broader company community in service of volunteerism and philanthropy. She loves to learn about the ways others are making a difference in their communities. Before pursuing an MBA, Lea was in non-profit management and legal operations. She is passionate about social equity, using business for good, and creating systems where people thrive. Lea holds a B.A. from Oberlin College and an M.B.A. from Sonoma State University. She is also a graduate of Leadership Santa Rosa class 37. She lives in west county with her husband, 2 children, and a dog.

Paul is an attorney with the local Sonoma County firm, Carle Mackie Power Ross LLP. He is a member of the firm’s Transactional Practice Group and advises businesses locally and beyond with their corporate and commercial needs.

In his work, he counsels companies of all sizes, from start-ups to seasoned organizations with extensive operating histories.  Paul is licensed to practice law in California and the District of Columbia. He graduated from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles and attended Arizona State University for his undergraduate studies.

Paul moved to Sonoma County in 2019 and lives with his wife and two daughters in Santa Rosa. 

Araceli serves as the Economic Advancement Manager at La Luz Center. Driven by a passion for community and education, she leads programs that fuel local growth, from skill-building workshops to financial literacy initiatives. Araceli, received her Bachelor degree in Communications Studies from San Jose State University. She currently  resides in Sonoma, and is an active mentor for a high school student with Sonoma Valley Mentor Alliance. Outside of work, Araceli finds joy in exploring her surroundings and indulging her love for travel.

Born and raised in Sonoma County, Gabby is a graduate of Petaluma High School. Since retiring as a corporate officer of a local construction company, she has devoted time to philanthropic and volunteer endeavors. Gabby has volunteered with Girl Scouts of America and the Fabulous Women of Petaluma along with holding board positions with Cinnabar Theater and St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Schools.  She began volunteer shifts (delivering food and packing meals are her favorite jobs at SFM) in the Sonoma Family Meal kitchen in Fall of 2022 and joined the board in 2024.  

She lives in Petaluma with her husband Rafael and they have four grown children. In their spare time they love to travel and attend San Francisco Giants baseball games (home and on the road).

A proud Bay Area native and current Marin resident, Stephanie brings deep roots in Northern California’s vibrant culinary scene to her role on the Sonoma Family Meal board. With a degree in Food Science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, she has spent over two decades building a career at the intersection of food, hospitality, and community impact.

Stephanie has led innovative food service programs across the Bay Area, including at Google, Zynga, and Genentech, where she specialized in employee dining experiences that emphasize thoughtful, nourishing meals. Her passion for food and operational excellence drives her commitment to creating meaningful connections through shared meals. As the current Director of Operations for Food for Thought, she's really excited to support the wonderful community of Sonoma County through the power of food.

In her free time, Stephanie can be found roller skating, baking, and spending time with her two cats. She also recently embraced her creative side by joining the Fairfax Community Theater, making her stage debut in 2023.

Jill Harrison, MS, RDN is Chair of the Nutrition and Dietetics Department at Santa Rosa Junior College, where she also serves as the Dietary Manager and Foods and Nutrition Program Coordinator. With 23 years of experience as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, she brings extensive clinical and educational expertise to her leadership role. Her clinical background includes valuable experience with Kaiser Permanente, focusing on nutrition counseling and education.

Jill holds a Master of Science in Nutrition, complemented by dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Hospitality Management and Food Science and Human Nutrition. As a faculty member for the past decade, Jill sees her classroom as a community, building relationships and aiming to serve the diverse needs of all students. She strives to inspire students to adopt healthy behaviors and mentor future nutrition professionals.

In her coordinator role, Jill collaborates with healthcare facilities to oversee student internships and leads the Nutrition and Dietetics advisory board.  She is also an advocate for open educational resources and faculty development, reflected in her ongoing committee work.

Outside of work, Jill enjoys yoga, hiking, paddleboarding on the Petaluma river, and spending time in Santa Cruz where her two sons live.