OUR BOARD

Kimberly Blattner
Board President - Teacher (Retired)

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Kimberly has been resident of Sonoma since 1982. Kimberly was raised in Oregon and came to California to attend Stanford University where she received a B.A. in Political Science and was the captain of the women’s varsity swimming team. She received an M.A. and elementary and secondary teaching credentials from UC Davis and taught high school from 1976-1990. She was the chair of the English Department at Sonoma Valley High School from 1988-90. She has served on the boards of Presidio Hill School, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, SFMOMA Docent Council, League of Women Voters of Sonoma County, and Enterprise for High School Students. She currently serves on the city’s Community Services and Environment Commission and the board of The Sonoma Valley Fund. As a La Luz board member, Kimberly has served as Board President and now serves as the chair Development and member of the Nominating/Governance and Noche committees. She is one of the founding members of Impact 100, an organization of women committed to making a significant impact in our community.

Ken Adelson
Facilities Committee Chair - Lawyer (Retired)

Ken and his wife, Karen, bought a home on Sonoma Mountain above Glen Ellen in 1999. They moved there full-time in 2007. Ken first became involved in La Luz when Karen became a member of the Noche committee. Ken retired from the San Francisco office of Cooley LLP, a law firm, in December 2016. During the 41 years that he was affiliated with Cooley (as an associate, partner and senior counsel), he specialized in business litigation and served at times as firm-wide chair of the Litigation Department and as Partner In Charge of the San Francisco office. He graduated from UC Berkeley in 1966 and from Boalt Hall School of Law in 1969. Since joining the La Luz board of directors in 2011, Ken has been the chair of the Campus Facilities Committee and a member of the Governance/Nominating and the HR Committees.  He and Karen have two adult children and two grandsons.  Ken enjoys working in the garden, having time for pleasure reading, and visiting nearby attractions with Karen.  

Ligia Booker
Board Member Emeritus - Founder of La Luz Center

Born in Colombia to a large philanthropic family of strong faith, Ligia came to the US first at age 17. After her mother passed away she returned home to care for 10 siblings, only to fall in love there with Don Booker, an American helicopter bush pilot, who after several job stops brought her to Sonoma. Ligia saw Sonoma through the eyes of an immigrant. In the beginning, she met with those in need at local Churches and at her home. Once the official La Luz center opened, she says, “ We were overwhelmed by the needs of the community”. 
Thirty-plus years later, Ligia feels La Luz continues to be faithful to its original mission, and she sees the organization developing into a multi-cultural center that addresses the needs of all. When asked why she is so passionate about La Luz and the other community efforts she is a part of she said; “it’s about sharing, giving, and serving. Sharing what I have because I have been so blessed!”
Among Ligia’s many honors for her contributions to our community are: the “For Those Who Care” award from KRON TV in 1989; Alcaldesa of Sonoma in 1992; “Woman of the Year” by the State of California in 1995; Woman of Color Humanitarian Award in 1998; honoree at the Red and White Ball, and the Sonoma Amistad Award both in 2010. She shares La Luz’s great pride in receiving the Jefferson Award for Public Service in 2013.
Ligia and Don Booker have 7 children and 16 grandchildren. And she says, her front door is “still open to everybody. Most of those calls usually end up at La Luz or FISH, but those whose needs are more sensitive, hopeless or immediate, become my personal task -- first with prayer, then with action!"

Salvador Picazo Chavez
Latino Leadership Committee Co-Chair - Business Owner

Salvador Picazo Chavez moved to Sonoma at age 8. He works at his family restaurant, Picazo Cafe & Deli, as he pursues other business ventures in the community. After graduating from Sonoma Valley High School in 2004, Sal received a B.A. in Economics from Sonoma State University. In 2011, when he was 26 years old, he was appointed to the Sonoma Valley Unified School District Board where he served through 2018. His work in the community has included being a keynote speaker and on Mondays from 7-8 pm, you can hear Salvador on the KSVY 91.3 radio station discussing topics pertinent to the community and schools.  He is married to Kina Chavez who works at Sonoma Valley High School. Being on the La Luz board, Salvador says, is "an opportunity to find synergy between the schools and all the willing and able organizations of the community." Salvador was the inspiration for the La Luz Latino Leadership Program that helps prepare local professionals for community leadership roles.

Arleen Curry
Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair - Business Executive (Retired)

Arleen and her partner, Ann Weeks, moved to Sonoma County in 1992, living and farming a vineyard in Kenwood.  They moved to the George Ranch in Sonoma in 2006.  Since 2009, Arleen has served as Treasurer of both the George Ranch Mutual Water Co. and the George Ranch Community Association.  She was also active on the Architectural Control Committee for the two years 2006 – 2008.  Arleen was a founding member, Treasurer and board member of Impact100 Sonoma, a Women’s Giving Circle.  She has held board positions with other non-profits including the Sonoma Ecology Center and the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers.  Professionally, Arleen was a managing consultant for 30 years specializing in reorganizations, managing growth and assessing resources.  During that time she served in many functional management positions including tenures as CEO, CFO and various board positions.

Rayne Dessayer
Secretary - Community Service

Rayne moved to Sonoma from San Francisco, in a successful search to live in a friendly, mid-sized town.  After years in management with Grand Hyatt hotels and Four Seasons hotels, she established and operated The Hospitality Group, providing temporary staffing for hotels and private clubs in San Francisco and the Bay Area. Transitioning from her career, Rayne has been active in CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate for a foster child), Sonoma Mentoring Alliance, the Ceres Project, Sonoma Teen Services, and Impact100. After participating on La Luz's Noche fundraising committee, Rayne joined the La Luz Board as Recording Secretary in 2012. In addition to her Rayne's commitment to La Luz and Sonoma’s non-profit community, she is active with local gourmet groups, her book club, and Free Spirits Choir. Rayne and her partner, Mike, enjoy being with friends and family in San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and Oregon, and spending adventurous times on international vacations. 

Yvonne Hall
Vice President - Development Committee and Legacy Giving Committee Chair - Business Executive (Retired)

Born in New York State, Yvonne has been a resident of California for more than 50 years, the last 15 in Sonoma County.  She graduated from Santa Clara University with a B.S. degree in psychology.  Her 26-year professional career was spent with Levi Strauss & Co.  After starting with the company as a secretary, she went on to hold positions in Merchandising, Production and Product Development. Subsequently she served as President of Levi Strauss de Mexico SA de CV in Mexico City.  She was the first woman of any nationality to head a company in Mexico.  Her last position with Levi’s was V.P. of Merchandising and Product Development for the 14 segments of the Levi’s brand in the U.S.  Yvonne uses her skills and experience to support the non-profit community in Sonoma.  This has included board positions with La Luz Center, the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art and Pets Lifeline.   She rejoined the La Luz board in 2018 and currently serves on the Development and Strategic Planning committees. She currently resides in downtown Sonoma, reads voraciously, travels extensively and enjoys the great experience of living in the wine country.

Kathleen Hill 
Publicity Committee - Food & Wine Editor, Index Tribune

Kathleen is currently Food & Wine Editor of the Sonoma Index-Tribune and serves as Sonoma Valley Unified School District’s School Garden Project Coordinator.  She is a Berkeley native with degrees from U.C. Berkeley, the Sorbonne, an M.A. in Political Psychology from Sonoma State, and a Fellowship in Public Affairs from the Coro Foundation. She worked for the Peace Corps, the United Nations and in the White House.  Kathleen has written more than 30 books, most in collaboration with her husband, Gerald N. Hill. Together they taught American Politics & Government at two Canadian universities, U.C Berkeley, and Sonoma State. She held American records in breaststroke.  Locally, Kathleen chaired the Sonoma Cultural & Fine Arts Commission, the Sonoma Community Services and Environment Commission, and was board president of the Sonoma Community Center.  She is Curator of The Kathleen Hill Culinary Collection and hosts a weekly radio show on KSVY 91.3FM.

Kathe Hodgson
Strategic Planning Committee Chair - Art Museum Administrator (Retired)

Kathe Hodgson has been a part-time resident of Sonoma Valley since 1993. Born and raised in Connecticut, Kathe received a BA in from the University of Colorado and MA from San Francisco State University, both in art history. Kathe worked in the art world most of her career and is retired from her position as Director of Exhibitions at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (the de Young Museum and Legion of Honor).  She had previously been a curator at the museums for several years and also taught art history at San Francisco State University and City College. She served on several non-profit boards in the San Francisco over the years, including ArtTable and Urban School.  After retiring, Kathe and her husband spend much of their time in Glen Ellen.  She served on the board of the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art for eight years, was president from 2006-2007 and now serves a new term on SVMA board.  She has been on the La Luz Board for many years and is currently Vice-President, Chair of Strategic Planning and on the PR Committee. Kathe is married to Fred, a retired United Airlines pilot, and they have two children and three grandsons.

Barbara Hughes
Microloan Committee Chair - Business Executive (Retired)

Barbara has worked in the world of non-profits since 2003.  She was President and CEO of the $150 million Community Foundation of Sonoma County for five years and is currently a consultant for nonprofit organizations on issues of strategic planning, operational and financial processes, and mergers and strategic partnerships.  Prior to her non-profit work she was a Senior Vice President/Controller of Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company (sub Allianz SE) where she led a staff of 140. Previously, she held the position of Senior Vice President/Chief Lending Officer of South Jersey Savings Bank.  Her education includes a B.S. in Finance from Rutgers University and completion of INSEAD, Fontainebleau, Allianz International Management Program.  Barbara was a founding member of Impact100 Sonoma.  She has held leadership positions with Redwood Empire Food Bank (Chair and Member BOD), The Center for Responsible Funding (Philadelphia – Member BOD), the Sonoma Valley Fund (Member BOD), and Jack London Park Partners (Advisory Council). Barbars joined the La Luz board in 2018 and currently chairs the Microloan Committee and is a member of the HR, Finance and Strategic Planning committees.

Nicholas Mendelson-Ontiveros
Finance Committee and Latino Leadership Committee Co-Chair - Financial Advisor

​Nicholas Mendelson-Ontiveros was born and raised in Sonoma Valley and is deeply rooted to his community and home town. Nick attended Flowery Elementary School, Adele Harrison Middle School, Sonoma Valley High School, Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State University.  Nick graduated cum laude from Sonoma State with a business degree and a concentration in finance. Upon graduation, he started working at Morgan Stanley. His mother, Leticia Ontiveros, inspired Nick to give back to the community that raised him, take action on what he believes in and to put others first.  He is also a frequent speaker at clubs and organizations at Sonoma State University. Nick lives an active lifestyle and in his free time he enjoys being outdoors, working out, playing guitar, cooking and reading. 

Brian Nicholson
Microloan Committee - Private Equity Professional

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Brian and his wife Brooke Geahan moved to Sonoma in 2018 after residing in Los Angeles and New York City for several years. The son of a Mexican immigrant, Brian quickly recognized the incredible value that La Luz was providing to the local community and reached out to get involved. He began his work with La Luz by volunteering with the organization’s microloan program and joined the Board in February of 2020. Brian is a Managing Director with Sonoma Brands, a private equity firm investing in emerging consumer brands across food & beverage, personal care and wellness. He previously spent several years at a New York based private equity firm and before that worked in investment banking in San Francisco. Brian received his B.A. from Brown University in 2004.

Dorinda Parker
Publicity Committee Chair - Business Executive (Retired)

A native Oregonian, Dorinda moved to Sonoma in 1999.  She jumped into community activities, serving on the boards of the Sonoma Film Festival and Sonoma Valley Art Museum. Her executive career spanned 35 years in sales, marketing and general management positions with Xerox Corporation and IKON in Portland and M Squared Consulting in San Francisco. In Oregon, Dorinda served on the State of Oregon Economic Development Commission and boards for University of Oregon Alumni Association and World Masters Games. After retirement in Sonoma, her interest in art education led to her joining the board of Sonoma Plein Air Foundation. Dorinda lives in Sonoma with her husband, Bill Blosser.  She is excited to be on the La Luz board, co-chairing the publicity committee, during this important time in the growth and evolution of the organization.

David Strand 
HR Committee Chair - Business Executive

David has spent more than 30 years providing executive leadership to some of the nation’s leading health care institutions. David is currently a Senior Advisor at Abundant Venture Partners. Prior to joining Abundant, David served as CEO of a number of early stage companies including ExperiaHealth, one of the nation’s first patient experience improvement companies, which was acquired by Vocera (VCRA) in 2011. David has also served as Chief Operating Officer of the Cleveland Clinic, the nation’s premier academic medical center; COO of Allina Health System, a leading integrated health system; and CEO of Medica, one of the nation’s largest and most reputable health plans. David began his career as outside counsel to United HealthCare, from its formation through its IPO and acquisition of its national network of HMOs. David received his B.A. from Gustavus Adolphus College and his J.D. from the University of Minnesota. David currently serves on the boards of Riverside Partners, the San Francisco Symphony. He joined  La Luz board in 2018 and also serves on the development committee.

Jose Alvarez

Active Board Member

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Jose Alvarez moved to Sonoma Valley in 1999 from Janamuato, Michoacan, Mexico. He attended Sonoma Valley High School and Santa Rosa Junior College. Shortly after graduating from high school, Jose started his banking career and has worked in financial services for 16 years. Jose is very passionate about financial literacy and has been partnering with local organizations over the last several years, sharing vital banking and money management information with the Sonoma Valley community. Jose has been recognized at the county level providing financial education. In 2018, Jose received the Forty Under 40 Award from the North Bay Business Journal, and in 2019 he was also recognized by the Business Journal with the Latino Leadership award for his work and dedication to improving financial literacy in our community. Jose is a former board member for the Sonoma Valley Community Health Center and he also serves as a board member and is part of the executive committee for the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce.