OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our passionate board of directors at Sonoma Family Meal brings diverse expertise and visionary leadership, propelling our mission in Sonoma County. Their tireless efforts and philanthropic spirit drive positive change, making a tangible difference in countless lives. We are incredibly grateful for their invaluable contributions and unwavering dedication.
Heather Irwin, Founder
Heather is the dining editor for Sonoma Magazine and the Press Democrat and the founder of BiteClub, which jabs an irreverent fork at the local restaurant scene. An avid eater and writer, she has 15 years of experience covering local restaurants, chefs and food and has been a journalist for more than 25 years. She is a Jefferson Award Winner and was honored by the Community Child Care Council for SFM’s work during the Tubbs fire. She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University and has moved 32 times, settling in Sonoma County in 2003. Heather has two very quirky rescue dachshunds that like to stare at her.
Lea Baylis, Board CO-CHAIR
Lea M. Baylis is a business leader who specializes in aligning and inspiring teams to tackle challenges with a focus on social impact and corporate responsibility. Lea has a background in corporate social responsibility, including managing partnerships to facilitate community impact, and engaging with the broader company community in service of volunteerism and philanthropy. She loves to learn about the ways others are making a difference in their communities. Before pursuing an MBA, Lea was in non-profit management and legal operations. She is passionate about social equity, using business for good, and creating systems where people thrive. Lea holds a B.A. from Oberlin College and an M.B.A. from Sonoma State University. She is also a graduate of Leadership Santa Rosa class 37. She lives in west county with her husband, 2 children, and a dog.
Paul Castillo, Co-Chair & Secretary
Paul is an attorney with the local Sonoma County firm, Carle Mackie Power Ross LLP. He is a member of the firm’s Transactional Practice Group and advises businesses locally and beyond with their corporate and commercial needs.
In his work, he counsels companies of all sizes, from start-ups to seasoned organizations with extensive operating histories. Paul is licensed to practice law in California and the District of Columbia. He graduated from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles and attended Arizona State University for his undergraduate studies.
Paul moved to Sonoma County in 2019 and lives with his wife and two daughters in Santa Rosa.
Sherry Huss, Board Member
Sherry Huss is Co-founder of Maker Faire and a major advocate of “all things maker” in the global community. A former Vice President of Maker Media, her vision and passion have helped spark the maker movement and she has been instrumental in growing the Make: brand within the maker ecosystem. Sherry has recently joined The Freeman Company team as Innovator-in-Residence and is working on building out the new program with a focus around creating community/building tribes. She has over 30 years of technology marketing, management and event experience and has held senior management positions at MediaLive International, Key3Media, Ziff-Davis and Softbank.
Naomi Crawford, Board Member
Naomi is the part-owner and chef of Lunchette and a community builder. She has been cooking for more than 33 years. She believes being part of a food system means taking care that all parts of that system thrive. “My purpose is to nourish my community, from the soil to the marginalized and all those in between, with the food I make and the actions I take.” Her restaurant is a Slow Food recipient, part of Zero Food Print, and has received an ethics award from Rotary.
Naomi lives in Petaluma with her husband and partner, Joel, their son, Burton, and a rescue mutt, Cassie. Their daughter, Olive, comes home during school holidays… for now.
Araceli Gutierrez, Board MEmber
Araceli serves as the Economic Advancement Manager at La Luz Center. Driven by a passion for community and education, she leads programs that fuel local growth, from skill-building workshops to financial literacy initiatives. Araceli, received her Bachelor degree in Communications Studies from San Jose State University. She currently resides in Sonoma, and is an active mentor for a high school student with Sonoma Valley Mentor Alliance.Outside of work, Araceli finds joy in exploring her surroundings and indulging her love for travel.
Rob Morris, Board Member
Rob grew up in Salt Lake City and graduated from the University of Utah with honors. Thirteen years into his career at KPMG, Rob heeded the call to meld his professional proficiencies with his passion for wine. After a stint at a winery and then leading the Wine Business Services practice for the regional accounting firm of Frank, Rimerman + Co., Rob accepted his dream job as Chief Financial Officer at Pride Mountain Vineyards. In his spare time, Rob enjoys playing golf, cooking and traveling. Rob and his wife, Sallie, have a 27-year old black-headed caique parrot named Chester.