Kristen Georges, President
Kristen began her career managing Genentech’s Foundation for Biomedical Sciences. She then went on to work in venture capital and biotech investor relations before finding her way into the non-profit world. She has worked in venture philanthropy, fund development and has over 12 years of experience as an Executive Director. After graduating from the non-profit management program at Harvard Business School, she became the CEO of several non-profit agencies. Kristen worked on the merger team that brought together and formed the Up Valley Family Center and had the privilege of being its first Board President. She now spends her time with her husband raising their twins in St. Helena while volunteering and supporting the non-profits where she feels she can help make a difference.
“Supporting kids and families in our community has always been a core value of mine. Through their wide variety of programs and services, the Up Valley Family Centers offer so much to so many. I am proud to support an organization that continues to make our up valley towns a better and stronger place.”
Bonnie Schoch, Vice President
Over the past four decades, Bonnie Schoch has earned a reputation as one of the most talented and knowledgeable CFOs in the Napa Valley wine industry. After receiving her degree in economics from UC Davis, Bonnie spent the next two decades at Domaine Chandon, where she became known for her leadership, strategic thinking and fiscal acumen. Bonnie also held CFO positions at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and St. Supéry, before being named the CFO for Cuvaison Estate Wines in 2010. Bonnie is passionately involved in the St. Helena community, where she spent eight years as a school board member, and eight years on the St. Helena City Council. Bonnie was also a past board member of Women for WineSense, which supports the professional development of women and men in wine and associated industries. She sat on several committees on the Napa Valley Vintners, including the Grants Committee and the Community & Industry Issues Committee.
“To have a stronger community we must support everyone in that community. The Upvalley Family Centers provide for members of our community that would have no where else to turn.”
Kathye Citron, Secretary
Kathye Citron is a professional trainer and organizational development consultant. She has over twenty years of experience in leadership, coaching, mentoring, and training. Based on the philosophy that all people have unrealized potential, Kathye provides individualized tools and recommendations for professional development, and teaches managers how to give the encouragement and support they need to be successful. She also has extensive experience facilitating Board and staff retreats and strategic planning sessions. Kathye has served on the Board of Trustees of the Presidio Graduate School in San Francisco, the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Board, and the San Francisco International Wine and Food Society.
Kathye is currently a Senior Consultant for “The Consulting Team” in Mountain View. Formerly, Kathye was the Executive Director of the Career Planning Center in Los Angeles and CEO of Lifeprint in San Francisco. She holds a BA in Psychology from UCLA. She lives in Calistoga.
Fred was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. He had a long and successful career serving as CEO for several national chain restaurants and recreational industries, including AMF Bowling Worldwide, California Pizza Kitchen Inc., and Gilbert/Robertson Inc. Throughout his career, his work in the restaurant industry often brought him to the Napa Valley, and he and his family eventually decided to put down roots here. He lives with his wife in St. Helena, is a dedicated father and grandfather, and he remains active serving as a board member and executive advisor for various organizations that are meaningful to him.
“I have always believed that locally supported and staffed organizations offer the best opportunity for a successful, efficient and impactful effect on the communities they serve. I also believe that it takes a talented and motivated team to achieve this success, which is evident at Up Valley Family Centers. I think I that I can contribute some of my experience and hopefully make a difference to forward the success of the organization, which plays a vital role in our neighborhoods.”
Claudia Rouas Beck
Claudia was born and raised in San Francisco. As a young girl, she was steeped in a culture of hospitality. Her father, Claude Rouas, is celebrated as one of the world’s leading restaurateurs, and was instrumental in bringing fine dining to Northern California in the 1980s. In 1978 her parents realized their lifelong dream of owning a French-inspired country inn. They purchased hillside property in Rutherford which would eventually become the Auberge du Soleil.
Claudia moved to St. Helena in 1986 to attend St. Helena High School and later attended UC Santa Barbara. After graduation, she returned to the valley and was hired as the Director of Hospitality for the burgeoning Niebaum-Coppola Winery. During her 8-year tenure, she built and managed all Direct-to-Consumer businesses for the winery, including events, e-commerce, tasting room, retail & wine club. It was at Inglenook that she met her husband, winemaker Corey Beck.
Claudia and Corey currently live in St. Helena with their two sons. Both boys attended the St. Helena Co-op Nursery School where Claudia managed the annual capital campaign, an event that relied solely on the volunteer help of over 60 families. She has also served as Treasurer of the Carpy Gang Alumni Association for the past 5 years. As a member of the board, she has been instrumental in resurrecting this nearly century-old, St. Helena tradition of teaching youth life skills of dedication, discipline, sportsmanship, and making youth football and cheer available to all. Whether it’s in her personal or professional endeavors, Claudia has always put community at the center. Her sister Bettina owns the beloved Angèle restaurant in Napa. Claudia’s extended family continue to reside in the Napa Valley as well.
“I believe a strong community is an equitable one – offering social, physical and emotional wellness to all families. UpValley Family Centers is a vital organization that provides critical resources and support services to so many families in our community.”
Patricia Campoy currently leads the First American Title Company team in St. Helena, where she has enjoyed working the last six years. She has gained broad real estate and financial related skills, as well as a deep knowledge for the unique valley we call home.
Patricia is originally from Sonora, Mexico and migrated to the United States at the age of three. She has spent the last ten years exploring and appreciating the beauty of Napa. Throughout those years, Patricia has felt the importance and need of serving the community that has provided her with so much opportunity.
Nelson Cortez was born and raised in Napa, attended McPherson Elementary, Redwood Middle School, and graduated from Vintage High School. His parents, immigrants from Michoacán, moved to Napa in the early 80s. Nelson’s widowed Mother is poised to retire after 15 years working as a custodian for Vintage High School.
Nelson joined Napa County as a Staff Assistant to the Board of Supervisors in July 2015. Nelson works closely with Supervisors Brad Wagenknecht, Diane Dillon and Alfredo Pedroza, assisting them with constituent matters, communications, and organizing community meetings to address specific community concerns. Nelson’s prior experience working in government includes employment as a Senate Fellow and later as a Legislative Aide to California State Senator Marty Block where he was the primary policy consultant on public safety, elder issues, human services, among others. Nelson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin American and Latina/o Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
“Now more than ever we must work together to empower our community to be more civically engaged in order to improve our daily lives and combat inequities and injustices that surround underserved communities. I am pleased to serve on the Up Valley Family Centers’ board to advance its mission by engaging with decision makers and holding them accountable for people that often times are left out without a voice.”
Susan is a proud 4th generation San Franciscan and 5th generation native Californian and has happily called St. Helena her home for the past 14 years.
At the St Helena Chamber of Commerce, Susan produces Chamber Events, compiles the Weekly Newsletters and conducts Member Outreach. She is also on the Board of the White Barn music and live theatre organization. Simultaneously, she has been a project manager for Wine Women & Shoes, executing events throughout the US and Canada.
For 12 years, Susan was the Director of Creative Services for ASE Group, a boutique event and branding company with a satellite office in St Helena. Prior to that, she ran Duryea Floral Designs & Events where clients included The San Francisco Opera Ball, the San Francisco Spinster’s Ball, Gucci’s Grand Opening on Union Square, and the De Young Museum’s “Bouquets to Art”.
Susan earned a BA from San Francisco State University in Theatre Arts.
“I believe that family health and wellness programs and education programs for children are an essential foundation for the well-being of the community. The UpValley Family Centers promotes and offers access to these types of programs allowing me to participate in some small way.”
Terry’s career includes more than 25 years of corporate marketing and fundraising experience with social services, arts, education and health care nonprofits. Beginning in 2010, she was a fundraising consultant for nonprofits in Napa and Marin counties providing staff and boards with the tools necessary to create sustainable organizations. She consulted with the newly merged UVFC from July 2014 – July 2017 creating and implementing development plans and best fundraising practices while working with Board, staff and Jenny Ocon. She became the first UVFC Development Director from August 2017 – June 2018.
Terry is a native Californian and received her bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and Masters in International Management from the American Graduate School of International Management. She worked in New York City, The Hague, Portland, Maine, Phoenix, and San Francisco before relocating to Napa Valley in 2010.
She retired in July 2018 and is married to Bob Fiddaman, one of the founding Board members of the Calistoga Family Center. When not actively engaged with various Napa Valley nonprofits, they enjoy traveling and spending time with their families including a combined total of 14 grandchildren! They live in Napa.
“Since 2014, I’ve seen first-hand, the positive community impact the Up Valley Family Centers’ program and organizational growth has had. Having nimbly responded to multiple fires and the pandemic, UVFC’s role as a critical “second responder” is unquestionable. UVFC’s vision of facilitating healthy relationships and networks of support so that all people in our community feel safe, valued and prepared, benefits all of Napa Valley. I share that vision.”
Julia Leza Gardner has lived and worked in the Napa Valley since 2007. Julia works for Serenity Knolls and is also employed, part time, as an office assistant for Pope Valley Winery. She brings an array of experiences in human services, retail and business. Julia has served as Director of Utilization Management at Duffy’s Napa Valley Rehab, as a Paraprofessional at the Calistoga Elementary School, in management at St. Helena Safeway, and at Solage and Modern Woodmen of America. Prior to moving to Calistoga, Julia was an Army Medic at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC and served in the Army National Guard. Julia has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with a certificate in accounting from the University of Phoenix. She is a Past President for the Rotary Club of Calistoga and is the Club’s current Treasurer. Julia and her husband have 5 wonderful children ranging from 6-14 years old. They enjoy hiking and golfing and spending quality time together.
Sam Martin is the Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer of Kodo Inc./Dana Estates. Prior to this role, Sam had a long tenure working in the public accounting field, including experience as a Certified Fraud Examiner and helping companies develop policies and procedures to reduce exposure to fraud. Sam holds a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from California State University of Chico.
Sam is committed to strengthening the community through volunteer efforts. In addition to serving on the family center’s board of directors, Sam also serves on the boards of the Napa Valley Land Trust and the Napa Valley Masons.
Caitlin Stuart
Caitlin was born and raised in Napa Valley and graduated from St. Helena High School. After attending Colby College in Maine and earning a degree in Government, she lived and worked in Seattle for 4 years. She returned to California and joined Butler Armsden Architects as Marketing Director.
Caitlin remained at Butler Armsden for eight years, building the marketing program from the ground up, and landing placements in the San Francisco Chronicle, Architectural Digest, Wall Street Journal, Dwell and Luxe, as well as on preeminent design blogs including Remodelista and Houzz. In 2013, while still at Butler Armsden, she founded her own consulting business. Over the past nine years, she has worked with architects, non-profits, photographers, interior designers and vintners in San Francisco, Marin and Napa Valley. Key areas of expertise include working with the design and building community and managing clients’ charitable fundraising.
Caitlin, her husband and their two children live in St. Helena.
Genevieve is from the UpValley. She was raised in the community of Calistoga where she and her children, the next generation of UpValley community members reside. Her extended family also remain in the Valley. She attended Calistoga High School and later Chico State. After graduation, she returned to the Napa Valley and worked for her father’s produce company that she grew up with, having worked in the food and wine industry since adolescence. Genevieve currently co-owns a winery in her hometown. Genevieve has coached youth sports in the UpValley for the past 25 years. This privilege has kept her connected to multiple generations of families.
“The UpValley Family Center coaches, cares for and creates opportunities and support for multiple generations of UpValley members. UpValley Family Center is a team for all, a team I am so proud to play for.”