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

Cathy Gillis

As Board President and a longtime board member of the Napa County Hispanic Network, Cathy Gillis is dedicated to expanding opportunity for our Latino community. She is an English professor at Napa Valley College with over twenty years of experience where she directed the Puente Program for fifteen years, supporting first-generation students through culturally responsive teaching, mentorship, and advocacy. She has been recognized as Teacher of the Year and currently lead the college’s honor society and online education initiatives.

Her key strengths include educational leadership, program design, student success strategies, equity-focused instruction, and strong community partnership building. These roles allow herto bridge education and community service while mentoring emerging leaders. Collectively, this experience advances NCHN’s mission to inspire, prepare, and empower the next generation of Napa County Latino community leaders to succeed academically, professionally, and as engaged civic leaders who give back locally.

Vice president

Maria Villagómez

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Dr. María L. Villagómez is a respected Napa Valley–rooted educator and public servant with more than 30 years of service advancing equity, access, and opportunity for the Napa community. The proud daughter of Mexican farmworking parents and a first-generation college graduate, she served for many years as an award-winning professor and senior administrator at Napa Valley College, dedicating her career to strengthening educational and civic pathways for Latinx, immigrant, and first-generation students.

Deeply engaged in community leadership, Dr. Villagómez is a graduate of Leadership Napa Valley (Class XIX) and has long partnered with local schools, nonprofits, and civic organizations to support families and emerging leaders. As a former board member of the Napa County Hispanic Network and an active participant in regional service efforts, she has worked to elevate Hispanic voices, expand bilingual access, and cultivate inclusive leadership across Napa County. Her professional and community commitments reflect a steadfast belief in education as a catalyst for social mobility and community transformation. An Aspen Rising Presidents Fellow, she leads with integrity, cultural humility, and community-centered purpose.

Treasurer

Joy Elleard

Joy Riesenberg has lived in Napa Valley for over 50 years and attended local schools. She is the proud mother of three children and two grandchildren. She began her career at the City of Napa in 1997, where she fell in love with public service. She retired from the City of Napa after 26 years working in many departments and roles related to budgeting and finance. She has volunteered at local Napa schools and is passionate about education. She believes all young people who want to go to college should have that opportunity.

EventS

Veronica Cortez is a dedicated mother of three remarkable young women and a Human Resources Director at a family-owned winery in Calistoga. With a strong background in human services, business and commerce, computer science, psychology, and Chicano/Latino studies, she brings a people-centered, culturally grounded approach to leadership. Veronica is a proud graduate of New Technology High School’s first graduating class and has built her career around advocacy, equity, and workforce development.

She previously worked with a local Napa Valley organization supporting employee families through scholarships and served on a scholarship committee—reviewing applications, awarding funds, and celebrating student success—an experience she deeply values. Veronica is passionate about giving back to the Hispanic community and hopes to support NCHN through scholarship initiatives, event planning, and strategic human resources expertise that advances opportunity, education, and community empowerment.

Veronica Cortez

Parliamentarian

Steve Potter

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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.

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.

Gala Committee

Lusy Rosas

Education Director

Julianna was born and raised in Napa, currently serving as a trustee on the Napa Valley Unified School District, first elected in 2022 and re- elected in 2024. Julianna has been active in organizations benefiting the residents of the Napa Valley since 2008. Notable among her many volunteer activities are serving on the board of directors of the Active 20-30 Club, the board of directors of NEWS, Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Services, and Leadership Napa Valley after her graduation in 2011.

“My passion is to ensure that Latino student scholars receive access to higher education. I was able to attend college because local non- profits helped me with scholarships. I want to offer the same to the next generation based, on merit and need.”

Julianna Hart

Scholarship Director

Liz Habkirk has served as the Scholarship Director since 2023 and is passionate about helping young people reach their educational goals. Liz is currently the Assistant City Manager for the City of Napa. Prior to beginning with the City in 2020, Liz was with Napa County for nine years, where she held multiple positions. She is recognized as a Credentialed Manager Candidate through the International City/County Manager’s Association (ICMA).

Liz also serves on the Board of Regional Government Services and Women Leading Government, as well as serving on the California-ICMA Nominations, Governance and Membership Committee. She also volunteers regularly at her kids’ school and coaches youth basketball. Liz holds a City and Regional Planning Bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly, SLO and Masters of Public Administration from the University of Kansas. Liz enjoys spending time with her family and friends, all kinds of sports, outdoor activities and exploring beautiful Northern California.

Liz Habkirk

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.