Who We Are
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Our Team
Angela Ryan, Ph.D Executive Director A Sonoma native, Angela returned to the Valley in 2013 after earning a doctorate in history from Ohio State University and living and working in New York City as a college professor. After volunteering locally, she eventually embarked on a career in the nonprofit world, first at Teen Services Sonoma, followed by a consulting agency, and as Executive Director of the Petaluma Museum. Angela joined the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation in 2019 as the Director of Programs & Grants, then stepped into the role of Executive Director in January 2021. When she's not raising money for the public schools that she attended as a kid, Angela is serving on the Board of Directors of Impact100 Sonoma, and staying busy with her husband and two young children.
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Gail Chadwin Director of Development Gail grew up in Sonoma and is a graduate of Prestwood, Altimira, and SVHS. She attended UC Santa Cruz and graduated with degrees in Community Studies and Sociology/Latin American Latino Studies. From 2008-2013, Gail lived in El Salvador, where she was a member of the fundraising team at Habitat for Humanity El Salvador. In early 2014 Gail moved back to Sonoma and worked as the Development Coordinator at local nonprofit Seeds of Learning. In 2018 she joined the Green Music Center at Sonoma State University as the Annual and Foundation Giving Manager. She is excited to join Sonoma Valley Ed Foundation and help support local schools. In her spare time, Gail enjoys singing with the Valley of the Moon Chamber Ensemble, playing tennis, and spending time with her husband and two young children.
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Caroline Brown Red & White Ball Coordinator Originally from Montreal, Canada, Caroline earned a BA in Science & Human Affairs, with a minor in Anthropology. She worked as a ski instructor in Whistler, BC for several years before traveling the world, then settled down to work as a nutraceuticals sales rep for many years. Since moving to Sonoma in 2009, Caroline has worked as an Instructional Aide for the Sonoma Valley Unified School District, and as a tireless volunteer, serving on various PTO committees and fundraisers, and was PTO president at Adele Harrison Middle School. After years of passionate volunteer work giving back to our beloved community, Caroline was excited join the Ed Foundation in 2019 and take on the role of Red & White Ball Coordinator, using her passion and experience to raise money for innovative programs in the very schools that have nurtured her own kids right here in Sonoma.
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Cindy Kenton Accounting Cindy is a native Californian and has worked for the foundation since 2017. This experience gives her a deep appreciation for how nonprofits seek to improve the quality of life for the students in our valley. She received a BS in Accounting from California Polytechnic University, Pomona. Prior to joining SVEF, Cindy has worked in the wine industry for over 20 years as a controller for Chateau St. Jean and Joseph Phelps Winery. Cindy and her husband raised two children in Sonoma and while being active with the school PTO, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venturing.
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Dyan James Office Manager After receiving a BA in Communication & Media Studies and a minor in English from Sonoma State University, Dyan embarked on a career in industries including media, music and publishing. Beginning with Nielsen Media Research in San Francisco, she then worked in Artist Management at Bill Graham Presents, where she supported the managers of high profile musicians and bands. From there she put her writing and copy editing skills to work at Buyside Magazine in Sonoma where she first supported the managing editor, then became the writer of a monthly column on Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). After raising her three children, Dyan returned to the workforce and joined the team at the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation, where she enjoys supporting the effort to enrich the public education of the Valley's students. She lives in Sonoma with her husband and three kids.
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