The purpose of Inspire Napa Valley is to advance cutting-edge Alzheimer’s and dementia research at the national level, while also funding local care and services for families and caregivers impacted by these diseases.

When wine industry tastemaker Kerrin Laz’s mother was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2015, she felt compelled to take action. In 2018, Kerrin founded Inspire Napa Valley to raise critical funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s and dementia, rooted in the Napa Valley community. Since its inception, Inspire Napa Valley has raised more than $9 million in support of this important work.

“Before my mother’s diagnosis, Alzheimer’s felt like something my grandparents were at risk of- not my mother. It took almost a year to fully grasp the magnitude of building an organization of this scale, but I now know this work is essential. Thanks to the extraordinary relationships I’ve built through the last two decades with wineries, vintners, winemakers, growers and wine enthusiasts, this community has become the catalyst for raising awareness and advancing Alzheimer’s and dementia research nationally, while supporting families and caregivers locally who are directly impacted.

What I’m equally proud of is that we are changing the conversation and building an incredible community around a cause that affects so many of our families.”

– Kerrin Laz, Founder, Inspire Napa Valley

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kerrin Laz – Board Chair & Executive Director, Founder, Inspire Napa Valley, Proprietor, K. LAZ Wine Collection and LAZ Wine
Robert Cagnazzi – CEO, Presidio
Patti Poppe – CEO, PG&E Corporation
Kerry Philipovitch – Retired Senior Vice President of Customer Experience, American Airlines
Kerry Cooper – Chair of the Board, PG&E Corporation, Board Member, Mozilla Corporation, Lead Independent Director, Upstart

Inspire Napa Valley LEADERSHIP TEAM

Kerrin Laz – Executive Director
Britta Bucholz – Director of Development (Part-Time)

SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COUNCIL

Farhad Imam, MD, PhD – Senior Director, Health and Life Sciences, Gates Ventures
Catherine Madison, MD – Former Medical Director, Ray Dolby Brain Health Center
Armen J. Moughamian, MD, PhD – Medical Director, Ray Dolby Brain Health Center, Chief of Memory, Neuroscience Service Line, Sutter Health, Division Chief of Neurology and Vice-Chair of Neuroscience, California Pacific Medical Center

ADVISORY COUNCIL

Patty Biggio – Philanthropist
Ann Baker Boney – Philanthropist
Bettina Bryant – President, Bryant Estate
Antonio Galloni – Founder, Vinous
Richard A. Garber – Managing Director & Partner, Ashton Thomas Private Wealth
Brad Grimes – Winemaker, Abreu Vineyards
Nancy Grunfeld – Philanthropist
Ray Isle – Executive Wine Editor, Food & Wine
Mary Maher – Director of Vineyard Development, Harlan Family Domain
Françoise Peschon – Winemaker
Stephen Toma – Investor & Philanthropist
Chris Winkle – Founder, Winco LLC

HOST COMMITTEE

Scott Gould – Vice President of National Sales & Guest Relations, Opus One
Wendi Green – President, Wendi Green Studio
Erin Martin – Erin Martin Design
Juan Mercado – Vintner, Riise Wine
Josh Phelps – President, Grounded Wine Co.
Shannon Staglin – President, Staglin Family Vineyard
Elizabeth Vianello

PROGRAM & EVENT SUPPORT

Event Planning – Danielle Gibson, Danielle Gibson Events
Marketing Support (In-Kind) – Wendi Green, Wendi Green Studio
Public Relations Support (In-Kind) – Glodow Nead Communications