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Ed Foundation adds board members

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Sonoma Valley Sun

The Sonoma Valley Education Foundation has welcomed three new members to its Board of Directors: Molly Fedorchak, Camerino Hawing and Vanessa Rognlien. They join Jean Barnier, Will Deeths, Jan Davis, Jette Franks, Debra Garber, Michael George, Kevin Jaggie, Anne Kuschner, Susan Reber, and Charles Young. In addition, Riley O’Donnell serves as the student representative to the Board.

“The success of every organization can be traced directly to its leadership and with these three new board members the foundation has strengthened it purpose and potential,” said Executive Director Laura Zimmerman. “This strong new board is well positioned to help ensure the highest attention is placed on educating the children of our Valley.”

Molly Fedorchak, a longtime Sonoma resident, serves as Union Bank’s Sonoma Senior Community Relations Officer acting as a liaison between the bank and the community. Actively engaged in volunteer service and furthering Union Bank’s commitment to Sonoma’s community, Fedorchak serves on the board of the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation and works with Operation HOPE to empower youth through financial education. Molly and her husband John Fedorchak have two grown children and four grandchildren, all living locally.

Camerino Hawing is dedicated to the success public education in Sonoma Valley. Camerino served for seven years as a trustee for the Sonoma Valley Unified School District and was the first Latino representative to serve on the District Board of Trustees. He brings a wealth of professional and personal experience to his new role as a Board Member for the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation. Camerino grew up in Mexico City and went onto earn his Masters in Architecture at UCLA. He is currently practicing architecture for Quattrocchi Kwok Architects in Santa Rosa, a firm that specializes in education related buildings. Camerino and his wife Kathleen Hawing have three children, two who are all in college, and one in high school.

Vanessa Rognlien grew up in New York and holds a BA in Political Science and Communications from Boston College. Her passion for working with youth began with a job as a Development Director at The HeArt Project, a non-profit arts education organization in Los Angeles. Since then she has devoted much of her time to raising funds for public schools. She served as the President of the Prestwood Elementary PTO for 2 years. She has 3 children ranging from ages 2-11. Vanessa and her husband Rand Rognlien are active in many youth related causes in Sonoma Valley.

Since 1993, The Sonoma Valley Education Foundation has raised over 4.5 million dollars for the public schools of Sonoma Valley. SVEF supports local schools by funding excellent programs aimed at raising student achievement and creating a generation of students who love to learn. Currently the foundation funds the Exploratorium Science Program and the Visual Thinking Strategies Art Program in 5 local elementary schools, plus ‘Preschool for all at El Verano School,’ the Teacher Support Network at Sonoma Valley High School and the district wide School Garden Program.

“Public education in Sonoma Valley is at a pivotal moment,” Zimmernan said. “With dedicated community support our schools will improve and flourish.




Sonoma Sun | Sonoma, CA