Renaissance Petaluma

Board of Directors / Officers / Teams

Governance

Renaissance Petaluma is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, supported by its elected officers, and sustained by working teams that advance the organization's mission through research, education, public engagement, civic mediation, and, on occasion, advocacy. Together, they provide the leadership, stewardship, and operational capacity needed to ensure that Renaissance Petaluma remains fiscally responsible, organizationally effective, and committed to fact-based inquiry, constructive dialogue, and the long-term well-being of Petaluma.

Elisa Weber, Board Member & Chair

Elisa E. Weber is CEO of Della Fattoria LLC and the second generation in leadership of Della Fattoria’s downtown Cafe, Bakery and wholesale bread, serving restaurants and markets throughout Sonoma, Napa and northern Marin counties. Elisa is the creator of Della Fattoria Cafe as a destination supporting connections. She is also an accomplished wood crafter and worked for Crespi Woodworking in designing and building fine furniture. She, and her husband Yunker, crafted the grand family tables in the Cafe and the patio adjacent to Putnam Plaza. She is a member of the Petaluma Community Guild and is passionate about creating a vibrant future for Petaluma.

Alicia Hansel, Board Member

Alicia Hansel is the Founder and Managing Partner of Kibby Road LLC, a real estate and investment firm where she navigates complicated land transactions, site evaluations, feasibility studies, and city approvals. Ms. Hansel also serves on the board of Poppy Bank. She is a founding board member and donor developer of Miracle League North Bay, an accessible baseball complex designed for children of all abilities. Previously, Ms. Hansel served as the President of the Petaluma Education Foundation and spearheaded the revival and renovation of the Petaluma Polly Klaas Community Theater. Ms. Hansel is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley.

Gabe Kleinman, Board Member

Gabe Kleinman is an Operating Partner at Emerson Collective on the EC Venture Capital Team. Prior to Emerson Collective Gabe served in leadership roles at Medium, IDEO, and Creative Artists Agency. Gabe co-founded and serves as Board Chair of Megafire Action, a 501(c)(4) organization dedicated to ending the megafire crisis within a decade through policy solutions. He received a B.A. in Philosophy and Anthropology from Cornell University.

Kevin McDonnell, Board Member

Kevin McDonnell has lived in Petaluma since 1985 and is a civil engineer with extensive experience in municipal infrastructure. He has served the community through city commissions, civic initiatives, schools, faith-based organizations, and youth sports programs. Elected to the Petaluma City Council in 2018, he has served as Mayor since 2023.

Committed to informed civic dialogue, Kevin has worked with local leaders to broaden community conversations about Petaluma's future and was involved in educational initiatives such as Know Before You Grow. He continues that work through his service on the Board of Renaissance Petaluma.

Richard Marzo, Board Member

Richard Marzo is Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Lace House Linen, where he has worked for more than 20 years as part of the company’s fourth generation of family ownership, continuing its long-standing commitment to customers and community. He has been active in Petaluma civic life, including service on the Petaluma Chamber of Commerce, multiple terms on the Petaluma Planning Commission, and as President of the Rotary Club of Petaluma. He believes in strengthening Petaluma’s economic vitality and independence while ensuring the city continues to meet the needs of residents who live locally and work throughout the region.

Nancy Leoni, Vice Chair

Nancy Leoni is a longtime downtown business owner dedicated to strengthening the city's economic vitality and community character. In 2004, Nancy and her family founded i Leoni, a beloved Petaluma home, culinary, and giftware store built on the belief that cooking, entertaining, and creating a welcoming home should be accessible to everyone. Working alongside three generations of the Leoni family, she has helped make i Leoni a cornerstone of downtown Petaluma, known for its commitment to quality, personal service, and community connection. Nancy brings to Renaissance Petaluma a deep appreciation for local business, historic downtowns, and the civic stewardship needed to ensure Petaluma remains a vibrant place to live, work, and gather.

Stuart A. Sutton, Secretary

Stuart Sutton is a Professor Emeritus in the Information School at the University of Washington, Seattle. He has also served on the faculties of San Jose State University and Syracuse University. He holds a PhD in information science and JD and LLM degrees in law with a specialization in intellectual property. Over the past 60 years, he has been an on-and-off resident of Petaluma. In addition to serving as Secretary, he coordinates the Research Team and serves as Editor of the ResMed Research Reports, Papers, and book reviews.

Tina Jones, Treasurer

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Volunteer Teams — Where the rubber hits the road

Advocacy &
Outreach

The Advocacy & Outreach Team builds relationships throughout the community, engages residents in civic dialogue, and helps ensure that Renaissance Petaluma's research and educational resources reach a broad audience. The team serves as a bridge between the organization and the public, fostering informed participation in issues affecting Petaluma's future.

Research & Fact Checking

The Research & Fact Checking Team develops and reviews the organization's educational materials, policy analyses, and public resources. By gathering data, evaluating evidence, and verifying claims, the team helps ensure that Renaissance Petaluma's work is accurate, credible, and grounded in objective inquiry.

Fund Raising &
Events

The Fund Raising & Events Team secures the financial resources necessary to sustain the organization's mission and organizes programs that bring residents together for learning, civic engagement, and remediation. Through donations, sponsorships, and community events, the team supports both the long-term health of the organization and its public educational efforts.

Communication & Digital

The Communications & Digital Team manages Renaissance Petaluma's public communications, website, social media, newsletters, and digital platforms. The team helps present research, promote events, and maintain clear, accessible channels through which residents can stay informed and participate in civic conversations.