Sonoma Valley Hospital welcomed Dr. Patrick Okolo to the hospital staff in early October as Chief Medical Officer. A nationally recognized physician leader and academic gastroenterologist, he brings extensive experience in clinical excellence, quality improvement, and organizational leadership. In addition to his leadership responsibilities, Dr.... Continue
Under The Sun: Interviews
35-year-old Ale (pron."Á-lay") Santoyo has worked at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn most of her adult life. She talks with Anna Pier about her journey of self-discovery through her work, the joy of working at a unionized hotel, and her Mexican heritage. You've worked for... Continue
Under the Sun: Seth Donnelly, Educator and Activist Co-Founder of Taxpayers Against Genocide in Gaza
The story of Sonoma's Seth Donnelly is the story of the making of an activist. Anna Pier sat down with the high school teacher who has spent the last year at the helm of Taxpayers against Genocide in Gaza (TAG). Your background? I grew up... Continue
Sonoma Valley Unified School Board President Catarina Landry leads a Board which must address a fiscal crisis; decide on a third potential school closure (following Dunbar Elementary in 2023 and Adele Harrison Middle School in June); and hire a new Superintendent. Anna Pier talks with... Continue
CEO Sara Brewer brings impressive education and work experience, and a passion for addressing health care disparities, to her new job at Sonoma Valley Community Health Center. Anna Pier sat down to talk with the young (46) leader about how she got to Sonoma, her... Continue
At the helm since the end of this April, Ben has been CFO at the hospital since the spring of 2022. Anna Pier sat down to talk with the young (43) and enthusiastic Interim CEO about his ongoing and new roles, and what he thinks... Continue
Inspired by the Citizenship Celebration put on by the nonprofit Sonoma Immigrant Services (SIS) on June 21 to honor the 90 new Sonoma Valley citizens since July 2024 who worked with SIS, the Sun's Anna Pier talked with its remarkable and humble founder, Vicki Handron.... Continue
Since 2019, Andrea Marino has been delighting Sonomans and visitors from near and far with the authentic Italian salumi and other delicacies he makes at his West Napa Street site, Salumeria Ovello. Anna Pier sat down with the proprietor of this marvelously Italian specialty shop... Continue
By Anna Pier Political activist for economic equity, seventeen-year-old Dulce Soto will speak as Valedictorian of the Sonoma Valley High School Class of 2025 at their May 30 graduation. Anna Pier talks with the mature young woman, first in her family and extended family to... Continue
Cheryl Johnson has been at the helm of the Community Health Center since 2012 when it was downtown on West Napa at 4th Street, overseeing its move to the new facility on Highway 12, and its enormous growth to a full-service Health Center. She will... Continue