The Sonoma Sister Cities Board of Directors
Our Board consists of elected officers and the chairperson of each city committee and is staffed by volunteers. We also have board members who oversee particular functions which support all committees and SSCA as a whole: government compliance, membership, communications and public relations, and operations. Board members contribute advice and various levels of support to project leaders working to fulfill the mission of Sister Cities International.
The SSCA Board of Directors is always looking for people interested joining this organization in a leadership position. Please contact Diana Short at president@sscasonoma.org if you are interested.
I’m looking forward to meeting and working with you.
In addition to keeping the membership records up to date, Gigi is also a strong supporter and participant of the Sonoma-Penglai Sister City Committee.
Profile coming soon.
Peggy Rubens, Chair of the Penglai, China Committee has been part of Sonoma’s wine industry for twenty five vintages. With Cline Cellars since 2001 as Director of Operations, Peggy appreciates her wide range of responsibilities. Her interest in Penglai is related to its premier position in China’s wine and grape growing industry, as well as her curiosity about the rich levels of meaning in Chinese culture.
I joined the board (I share the seat with Sylvia) in Feb. 2014 when I became co-chair of the Tokaj committee. In my day job, I lead a professional network for women in the retail and consumer goods industry. My husband and I have called Sonoma home base for 2 years now, but I spend a lot of time in Chicago where my organization is based, as well as other extensive travel. I’m always grateful to come home to Sonoma and enjoy the surroundings and fantastic people.
Patrick Pesetti is a longtime resident of Sonoma County and has lived in Sonoma since 2017. He is thrilled to be a part of the Sonoma-Greve in Chianti committee as he has a deep love of both Tuscany and Sonoma County. Patrick also serves on the board of directors for the Sonoma International Film Festival. He is married to his wife Pam and has two grown children. His current passion project is photographing the night sky.
I joined the Board in February of 2013 when I became the Co-Chair of the Tokaj Committee, shared first with Cecily Wallis and now with Joan Toth. As a Hungarian-American it has been rewarding to experience the sharing of cultures and traditions between Sonoma and Tokaj. Our two Communities now have a connection which can continue through the years.
I have a long history with Sonoma Sister Cities Association. I first visited Kaniv in 1985 when I represented the City of Sonoma to initiate a sister city relationship. I subsequently visited in 1987 with the official Sonoma delegation and again in 1989 to attend a Sister City International conference with members of the Kaniv committee in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
I have lived in Sonoma since 1974 and raised my three children here. I recently retired after 12 years of owning Artifax Art-to-Wear, a woman’s clothing store, on the Sonoma Plaza. Retirement has afforded me more time for painting and photography and swimming.
My goals for the Kaniv committee are to establish a lively communication via telecommunication and fundraise to help them with their ongoing efforts to shelter refugees fleeing the war.
I have lived in Sonoma since 1974 and raised my three children here. I recently retired after 12 years of owning Artifax Art-to-Wear, a woman’s clothing store, on the Sonoma Plaza. Retirement has afforded me more time for painting and photography and swimming.
My goals for the Kaniv committee are to establish a lively communication via telecommunication and fundraise to help them with their ongoing efforts to shelter refugees fleeing the war.
I’m honored to serve on this Board whose mission of promoting international cooperation and cultural exchange through Sister Cities International makes a difference in the lives of so many people around the world.
Robert and his wife, Leslie, are long-time residents of Sonoma, CA, where Robert has been active in civic affairs. He is a past City Historian, a past President, and the current Executive Director of the Sonoma League for Historic Preservation.
Over the past couple of years, and prior to being elected to the SSCA Board, Robert contributed to a number of visits of dignitaries hosted by SSCA. We are delighted to have Robert on the Board.
Andrew joins the Board as a new Director-at-Large, bringing his experience as both an attorney and historian. “My basic reason for joining the SSCA board is to serve the Sonoma community in the international dimension. I would like to do so using my familiarity with European (especially East European) history as well as my legal and linguistic background. My field of expertise is Ukraine.” Andrew is also fluent in Ukrainian and has already provided invaluable service as a translator during some of the SSCA events featuring Ukrainian speakers.
I am thrilled to be part of an organization that combines culture and good will to other cities in our world. I look forward to bring my non profit experience to further Sonoma Sister Cites mission.
Event Calendar
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penglai Committee Meeting 11:00 am | ||||||
| Chinese Spring Festival Chinese Spring Festival Jan 29 all-day The Spring Festival (aka Chinese New Year in the rest of the world) is a major time of the year for Chinese people. It’s a time to celebrate family. This day is also called Lunar New Year. A common greeting is 春节快乐 chūn jié kuài lè, which means Happy Spring Festival. Try this site for it’s [...] |
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