Leadership Academy

In 2022, the Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos launched an innovative new Leadership Academy to support the professional development of our local vineyard employees. The Leadership Academy provides leadership training to vineyard employees and informs them about the resources and services available to them within the community. This program is not about farming skills, but rather about advancing the skills needed for vineyard employees to be promoted into leadership roles within their organization or as an enhancement to their current leadership skills and responsibilities. The knowledge learned from this Academy is not only shared with fellow colleagues, but with friends, family, and the local community.

Leadership academy graduates and Sonoma County winegrape growers visit the Washington Monument
Vineyard workers honored as leaders in Washington D.C.
Participants of Innovative Program Now Heading to Washington, D.C
Participants of Innovative Program Now in Washington, D.C
Participants of Innovative Program Now in Washington, D.C
Participants of Innovative Program Now in Washington, D.C
Graduation event
Graduate photo
graduates throwing their moarterboards
2025 graduate
graduates posing
group of harvesters
people in the stainless steel barrel room
group meeting in the field prior to harvest
people sitting in a presentation
people sitting in a presentation
Harvest crew posing in the field
Graduates throwing their graduation caps
full group of graduates
people wearing graduation caps
Graduates applauding
Graduate posing with family
two men shaking hands
Support the Academy

The Leadership Academy is limited to a select number of participants each year who are nominated by their employer and undergo a selection process. Each class size is between 15 and 25 participants to ensure a high-quality experience and an opportunity for individuals to ask questions and to build a professional network.

Program topics provide a better understanding of Sonoma County, opportunities and resources for local vineyard employees and their families, and leadership training.  Experts present to these leadership classes. Topics include Sonoma County Agriculture, Vineyard & Winery Business, Sustainability, Financial Literacy, Education, Human Resources, Compliance, Disaster Preparedness, Health & Wellness, Communications, Media Training, and other topics as relevant. 

Participant stipends are available to help offset the cost of paying employees while they attend the sessions. 

If you have any questions about the application process, stipends, class structure, or anything else, please reach out to Madelyn Parsons at madelyn@scggf.org.

The Leadership Academy class concludes every year with a graduation ceremony that honors each student’s achievement. Graduating students are able to bring their friends and family to attend the graduation.

The impact of the Academy, according to our participants:

  • Gustavo Rico, Seghesio Family Vineyards. “My favorite day of the Leadership Academy was Human Resources and Compliance Day because I learned the importance of respect and a good working environment for my colleagues.”
  • Ricardo Corona, Munselle Vineyards. “I feel more prepared as a leader within my company because of the knowledge and resources I learned about while in the Leadership Academy.”
  • Juan Alcantara, Skipstone. “I learned how to become a better leader and the importance of respect at the workplace.”
  • Helmer Cruz, Tri-Valley Vineyard Management. “I enjoyed connecting and building relationships with people from different companies within Sonoma County and that having respect for people will always benefit you professionally and personally.”
  • Felipe Hernandez, Atlas Vineyard Management. “My favorite day of the Leadership Academy class was being able to attend the Latinos in the Workplace Conference at the Flamingo Hotel in Santa Rosa. I realized how important and valued my work is in Sonoma County.”
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