Board | napahispanicnetwork

nchn board

"It takes amazing people to make a winning team."

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The Board is composed of dedicated leaders from across the Napa Valley that bring forth their unique and diverse perspectives, background, and skills. They govern, sets policies, and supports its fundraising and programing to carry out the NCHN’s Mission. Leadership is integral to our amazing Board. We are dedicated to helping the Latino people through fundraising, organizing committees, community events and any other causes to support our Napa County. Our collaborative Board shares diverse perspectives and ideas to keep us motivated. Our teamwork is essential to all our success within the network and community.

executive board

president

Peggy Chiprez

Chiprez, is a proud Napa County native, brings over 25 years of expertise in financial banking. As a first-generation Mexican-American, she is deeply committed to fostering community development and economic empowerment. Her passion lies in working for nonprofit organizations, where she dedicates herself to creating and safeguarding pathways to ownership and economic opportunities for all.

Chiprez is an advocate for education, embracing every opportunity to inspire students to pursue academic excellence. She wholeheartedly believes in the transformative power of higher learning and strives to remove barriers for underserved students, helping them achieve their fullest potential. Guided by the philosophy of “Si Se Puede,” she approaches each day with optimism and determination, envisioning a future brimming with possibilities for those who believe in the power of education.

Vice president

Cathy Gillis

Gillis teaches English and Coordinates Online Education at Napa Valley College. She coordinated the college's Puente Program targeting Latinos for 15 years and continues to be the honor society faculty advisor. At the University of Riverside she was the ESL and Testing Director, helping under-served students pass the writing entrance exam through tutoring. She is involved in community events to improve pathways to education and resources for our Latino community.

Treasurer

Hugo Nevarez

Nevarez is an accountant and IRS Enrolled Agent born and raised in Durango, Mexico. He moved to Napa and fell in love with the beautiful valley, wine and way of living. He was the Senior Manager of the Napa County Farm Bureau and is currently the Director of Finance and Administration at Cope Family Center. He is an active community advocate who is dedicated in helping open the doors for the underprivileged. He serves on our executive, events, and scholarship committees.

Events Co-chair

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Parliamentarian

Steve Potter

Potter graduated from local schools before starting his public service career at the Napa County Sheriff’s Department. In 1987 he joined the Napa Police Department where he had a wide variety of assignments. He attended management courses that helped him culminate his law enforcement career as the Chief of Police for Napa. He later moved over to City Hall where he currently works as the City Manager. He has always valued relationship, participating on the Board of Directors for several local non-profits and mentoring for the Puente Program at NVC. He especially enjoys working with NCHN because of the work they do helping Latinx young adults.

BOARD MEMBER

Maria Alvarez

Alvarez is an Industrial Hygienist at Intrinsic Environment Health and Safety. She has a Master of Public Health in Global Health and Environment from UC Berkeley and earned a B.S. in Global Public Health and B.A. in Psychology from Dominican University of California. Maria was born in Jalisco, Mexico and moved to Napa at seven years old. As a first generation Latina student who faced adversities and financial burdens, she always wanted to give back to her community and fellow Latino students. Maria continues to mentor many students in Napa and at her Alma Mater, Dominican University.

Director Of Public Relations
Jacqueline Saldana

Saldaña-Pimentel, a Napa County native, holds a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Spanish. She is dedicated to enhancing resources and opportunities for the Latino community while bridging the language gap between Spanish and English speakers. Having volunteered with Napa County organizations from a young age, she is passionate about making a positive community impact. As a first-generation student and proud NCHN alumni recipient, she returned to support the organization that helped make her college journey possible.

Board Members

Melissa Moize – Event Chairs
Jeff Roman- Event Co-Chair
Liz Habkirk - Scholarship Chair

Ambassadors

The NCHN’s Board of Directors appoints our Ambassadors to serve as advocates and advisors to the board. Ambassadors are normally individuals who have served on our board of directors, or individuals who have supported our work for numerous years.