We’re proud to share that three accomplished leaders joined the Board of Napa Valley Community Foundation this July: Russ Joy, Penny Mallen, and Richard Mendelson. All three joined the Board when our new fiscal year began on the first of the month, bringing our total board membership to 15.
“Russ, Penny, and Richard each bring a special combination of professional expertise and genuine care for this community,” shares Terence Mulligan, President & CEO of Napa Valley Community Foundation. “Their experience in finance, philanthropy, law, and agriculture will strengthen our ability to serve donors and nonprofits across the Valley for years to come.”
Russ Joy
Russ is a seasoned finance executive with deep roots in the wine industry. Born and raised in a farming family in Buffalo, NY, he has spent 40 years building his career as a CPA, moving through GM, CFO, and COO roles at companies including Rutherford Wine Company, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, and Patz & Hall. Today he works as a consultant, bringing that decades-long financial and operational expertise to the table. Russ understands our work here at NVCF deeply, having served on our Finance Committee from 2021 to 2024 before joining our Audit Committee in 2025. Outside of work, he plays the drums.
Penny Mallen
Penny is a dedicated philanthropist whose career spans healthcare and education. Born and raised in Oshkosh, WI, she moved to San Francisco in the late 1960s, where she began her career as a surgical nurse at UCSF before making a pivot into philanthropy as the first development staff member at her two sons’ independent high school. She spent a decade in development work before turning her attention to board service, sitting on several independent school boards, including Blue Oak School in Napa, where her grandchildren attended. Penny has served on NVCF’s Asset Development & Marketing Committee since 2024. When she’s not focused on philanthropy, she’s an avid horsewoman and breeder of Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs.
Richard Mendelson
Richard is an accomplished lawyer, writer, and sculptor with a long history of giving back. A wine industry attorney and author, he spoke to the NVCF Board in 2024 about themes from his recent book, Common Ground. He holds a BA from Harvard, an MA from Oxford, and a JD from Stanford Law School, and has spent decades as a partner at the Napa-based law firm Dickenson, Peatman & Fogarty. Richard founded and directed the Wine Law and Policy Program at UC Berkeley, and co-founded and served as President of the International Wine Law Association. He brings extensive nonprofit board experience as well, having served on boards ranging from schools to an ashram in India. Richard has served on NVCF’s Finance Committee since 2025. Richard is married to Marilyn Knight-Mendelson, has two adult children in the Bay Area, and is also a sculptor who works in metal.
Our full board of 15 now includes: Pete Richmond (Chair), Michael Holman (Vice-Chair), Janelle Sellick (Vice-Chair), Doug Shafer (Secretary), Rick Jones (Treasurer), Manbin Khaira Monteverdi (Immediate Past Chair), Dr. Richard Anderson, Maria Cisneros, Pat Clarey, Maya Dalla Valle, Russ Joy, Indira Lopez-Jones, Penny Mallen, Richard Mendelson, and Meaghan Qian-Fu Becker. In addition to our board of 15, NVCF also has more than 45 volunteers who serve on committees for the Foundation.
We’re thrilled to welcome Russ, Penny, and Richard to the Board and grateful for the expertise and heart they bring to our work.