Meininger steps down from the Sonoma Valley Ed Foundation

Nonprofit dynamo Fran Meininger has resigned her position as the executive director of the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation’s come the end of August.

Meininger’s long career in nonprofit work began 25 years ago as a volunteer coordinator with the Home Care Connection. She has since worked at numerous Valley nonprofits including Hanna Boys Center and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley. Meininger has been with the SVEF since 2007.

During Meininger’s tenure, SVEF adopted Teacher Support Network, a program that recruits and places more than 250 community volunteers in Sonoma Valley High School classrooms and to support special projects. The organization also adopted the Exploratorium Science Project in partnership with the Vadasz Family Foundation and the San Francisco Exploratorium to increase classroom instruction in science among other programs.

“I’ve loved my time with the Ed Foundation and am now at a stage in my life where I’ve accomplished what needs to be accomplished and can have some fun,” said Meininger.

That fun includes opening the Valley’s newest consignment shop, My Girlfriend’s Closet, located on first Street West adjacent to the Red Grape restaurant.

Meininger says the shop will specialize in fashions for grown-up “girlfriends,” catering to mature women looking for career wear, special occasion or romantic outfits as well as wine country lifestyle clothing.

“I’m using myself at the target demographic and feel there is a real niche in Sonoma for more sophisticated, less casual clothing,” said Meininger, who is working feverishly to get the store up and running by mid-September. “I’m thrilled. There’s nothing about this that isn’t fun.”