Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership Announces the 2024 Award Recipients for the 10th Annual Heart of Napa Awards

Recognizing Napa County’s resilient volunteers, visionary leaders, and transformative nonprofits

NAPA COUNTY, CA, May 20, 2025 – Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) proudly celebrated a decade of community impact at the 10th Annual Heart of Napa™ Awards, held on Thursday, May 15th, 2025, at the Yountville Community Center. The Heart of Napa Awards brought together 220 nonprofit leaders, volunteers, elected officials, and business representatives to celebrate the spirit of service and recognize the outstanding contributions that strengthen the Napa County community.

Heart of Napa, produced by CVNL with Presenting Sponsor Bank of Marin, shines a spotlight on the individuals and organizations whose dedication and compassion uplift Napa County. This year, 82 nominees were recognized across six award categories, with $22,500 in award funds distributed to support their missions. Each award recipient received $5,000 for their organization, with the exception of the Corporate Community Service award. The Excellence in Board Leadership honoree received $2,500, and each of the five Youth Volunteer of the Year recipients received $1,000.

The 2024 award recipients exemplify the heart and soul of Napa County. From youth advocates and board leaders to grassroots changemakers and corporate partners, the honorees demonstrated extraordinary commitment to equity, resilience, and service. Their work spans critical areas such as food security, mental health, education, environmental stewardship, and community empowerment.

CVNL CEO Linda Jacobs opened the ceremony with a powerful message of hope and resilience: “Like many of you, I am watching, reading, or participating in webinars and meetings daily about new federal policies, protocols, and potential changes, including threats to nonprofits’ 501(c)(3) status. Also, like many of you, I am determined not to sit back, and I see the same resolve in you.”

She concluded with a call to action that resonated deeply with the audience:

“We must keep fighting hate and cruelty, keep advancing love and kindness, keep protecting the people and communities we care about, and keep nurturing a hopeful vision for humanity.”

Here are this year’s recipients:

2024 Corporate Community Service Award

The Doctors Company is a healthcare liability insurer that has embedded community engagement into its core values for over 45 years. Their commitment to advancing good medicine extends beyond clinical care into impactful community service. In 2024 alone, their employees volunteered over 1,600 hours, supported 364 nonprofits through gift matching, and contributed to disaster relief and resilience efforts. Their innovative Double-Match Challenge raised over $141,000 for 159 nonprofits, and their participation in STEPtember, a wellness fundraiser, logged over 18 million steps. Local organizations such as Fair Housing Napa Valley and Monarch Justice Center have directly benefited from their generosity, making The Doctors Company a model of corporate citizenship.

2024 Volunteer of the Year Award

Nancy Lewis has demonstrated unwavering commitment for 19 years to Operation: With Love From Home, an all-volunteer nonprofit that sends morale-boosting care packages to deployed service members. Nancy has played a key role in managing donation inventory and coordinating the care package assembly line, helping ensure that over 30,000 packages, each containing 35 items, are delivered to troops stationed in remote locations. When inventory ran low, Nancy personally organized an emergency drive to fulfill 200 additional packages, rallying 30 volunteers to meet the need. Her dedication provides not only tangible support but also emotional comfort to young service members far from home.

2024 Youth Volunteer of the Year Awards

Five exceptional young leaders were honored as Youth Volunteers of the Year for their inspiring contributions:

• Yesha Sacatani (Mentis) founded a nonprofit promoting self-love and mental wellness, reaching over 8,200 youth across five states. She also led initiatives supporting veterans and women’s education in Kenya.
• Chair Miles (American Canyon Community & Parks Foundation) led environmental education programs, mentored peers, and launched the foundation’s first invasive plant removal project, fostering ecological awareness and youth empowerment.
• Emmanuel Rivera-Medina (Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley) created a youth soccer training program, mentored younger members, and led service projects, demonstrating leadership and compassion through over a decade of volunteerism.
• Sofia Richart (Mentis) championed youth mental health, climate advocacy, and peer education, serving as a consistent leader across multiple platforms and empowering others through workshops and public speaking.
• Tate Hilton (American Canyon Community & Parks Foundation) led environmental education events, organized teen-led conservation projects, and served as a liaison to ensure equitable access to leadership and volunteer opportunities for all students.

2024 Excellence in Leadership Award

Kari Cordero, Executive Director of SANE-SART, was recognized with the Excellence in Leadership Award for her transformative impact on victim services across Napa, Solano, and Sonoma counties. Under her leadership, SANE-SART expanded trauma-informed mental health services, launched new programs at the Monarch Justice Center, and improved care coordination, resulting in a 70% client retention rate. Kari secured a $2.5 million grant and braided multiple funding streams to ensure sustainability. Her culturally responsive team, 90% of whom identify as people of color, reflects the communities they serve. Kari’s trauma-informed leadership has created a healing, inclusive environment for both clients and staff.

2024 Achievement in Nonprofit Excellence Award

Puertas Abiertas Community Resource Center received the Achievement in Nonprofit Excellence Award for its holistic, culturally rooted services that empower Napa’s Latinx community. Serving nearly 4,000 individuals annually, Puertas Abiertas offers programs in mental health, financial literacy, food security, and immigration support. Their La Cultura Cura initiative provides culturally relevant therapy, while their Promotoras volunteer program contributes over 1,000 hours annually. With a 95% success rate in citizenship applications and a new signature fundraiser raising over $70,000, Puertas Abiertas continues to be a trusted, bilingual, and bicultural hub for dignity, equity, and empowerment.

As CVNL marks this milestone year, the Heart of Napa Awards continue to inspire a shared commitment to building a more compassionate, connected, and thriving community. A special thanks to Presenting Sponsor Bank of Marin and Award Sponsors Comerica Bank, PG&E, Syar Foundation, and Redwood Credit Union.

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About CVNL: Since 1964, Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership has advanced nonprofits and volunteerism by strengthening leadership, encouraging innovation, and empowering individuals in their communities. We believe that passion alone isn’t enough when it comes to creating strong nonprofits. That’s why we work with aspiring and established leaders every day to help them build the skills and connections that can take their impact to the next level. Together we offer comprehensive programs that support nonprofits and volunteers including training, executive search, customized consulting solutions, volunteer matching, and corporate engagement. Heart of Marin, Heart of Napa, and Heart of Sonoma County events support nonprofits of every size and mission through recognition and cash awards. Other programs and services include 100MARIN, Sonoma County Human Race, Secret Santa, Court Referral Program, Sonoma County Paratransit and Volunteer Services. CVNL’s Volunteer Services includes a range of disaster services for response, relief, and recovery in the aftermath of disasters in Marin, Solano, Napa, and Sonoma Counties. We believe that with confident and prepared leaders, our nonprofits will be better equipped to create healthy, happy, and more equitable communities. Visit www.cvnl.org to discover more.