Meet Our Board

Leanna Alcayaga, born and raised in Napa, has dedicated the past 20 years to teaching in the Napa Valley Unified School District, where she fosters a love for learning in her elementary students. A proud mother of two and happily married, Leanna brings her passion for youth development to the Ag4Youth board, where she has served for the past seven years. In her free time, she enjoys going for walks and spending time with family, especially during visits to the beautiful Hawaiian islands.

Suzanne Amaral grew up in Sonoma County, actively participating in 4-H and FFA programs that ignited her lifelong passion for agriculture. A graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Suzanne holds a degree and teaching credential in Agricultural Education, equipping her to inspire the next generation. With a deep commitment to youth mentorship and agricultural advocacy, she currently serves as the 4-H Program Coordinator for Napa County, where she continues to support and empower young people within the agriculture community.

Gina Massolo discovered Ag4Youth when Paul Tarap approached the Napa Valley Horsemen’s Association in search of a new home for the program. Immediately drawn to its mission, Gina eagerly joined the A4Y board, where she now uses her experience from Bell Products to lead grant writing efforts and coordinate the quarterly newsletter.

Growing up in Yountville as a “horse-crazy” kid with limited means, Gina understands the value of community support and the powerful impact of agriculture. She believes that the lessons and rewards of working with animals and livestock are essential for young people, helping them build resilience and pride in their efforts. Passionate about preserving Napa Valley’s agricultural roots, Gina takes pride in supporting a program that keeps this heritage alive for future generations.

Morgan Tageson VrMeer, born and raised in the Bay Area, brings her extensive wine industry experience and passion for agriculture to the Ag4Youth board, where she’s served since 2022. With a degree in Wine & Viticulture from Cal Poly and an MBA in Executive Management, Morgan is also the Sales and Marketing Manager for Opus One Winery, where she’s honed her expertise over the past decade.

Family is at the heart of Morgan’s world, revolving around her young son Brooks, her husband Corey, a firefighter for SFFD, and their two beloved doodles, Ellie and Blue. Her ideal weekend kicks off with a CrossFit session, followed by a downtown walk with the family for a hot matcha, and ends with friends on the back patio, enjoying a good glass of Cabernet Sauvignon. Morgan loves contributing to Ag4Youth, a program she believes instills invaluable lessons in Napa’s next generation. She looks forward to the evolution of the program, continued support from the community, and more incredible success stories from Ag4Youth graduates.

Susan Mitchell joined Ag4Youth’s Board of Directors in 2022, bringing her enthusiasm and dedication to raising awareness and funds for this impactful community program. Originally from Del Mar, San Diego, Susan relocated to Napa in 1998, where she now lives with her husband, two sons, and their dog, Eddie. She works as the Facility Manager at Opus One Winery, blending her professional expertise with her passion for supporting Napa’s agricultural heritage.

Outside of work and her board duties, Susan enjoys cooking, exploring Napa’s wines, listening to music, and spending time in her yard tending to plants and flowers. Walking Eddie is a daily highlight, as she loves connecting with the beauty of Napa’s landscapes. Proud to be part of Ag4Youth, Susan is committed to empowering local youth through the values of agriculture and community.

Paul Irwin is a founding board member of Ag4Youth and is dedicated to nurturing young people’s connection to agriculture. A longtime advocate for junior livestock, Paul has mentored 4-H and FFA exhibitors across Solano County for over 30 years, sharing his extensive knowledge and passion for animal husbandry. Since 2006, he has also been a committed show cattle breeder.
With more than 40 years at Bell Products, Inc. in Napa, where he is a partner, Paul’s dedication extends beyond his professional life. A proud father of three daughters and grandfather to six, he’s committed to helping the next generation gain the skills and values that agriculture instills.

Rebecca Laird first joined Ag4Youth as a mentor family member. Her daughter, Jillian, grew up in the program from the age of nine until she was nineteen. During those early years at the ranch, Rebecca witnessed shy, unsure children become confident speakers and leaders and lonely kids become surrounded by great friends. Watching this firsthand had a profound impact on her, and she joined the board as its Treasurer in 2017.

Her daughter wasn’t the only family member to catch the livestock bug. She, her husband Chris, and Jillian started with a herd of dairy goats, and with Paul Tarap and his wife Ailene’s guidance, started a small herd of Simmental cattle and a few horses. When not managing her family’s custom crush winery, Laird Family Estate, she can usually be found scouting for antiques or spending time at one of Sonoma’s county’s many beaches.

As an Ag4Youth board member, Laura Hinton brings with her a love of agriculture and a great deal of experience within the beef industry. Laura grew up showing cattle and helped organize and run livestock shows throughout the state. She graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, with a B.S. in Agricultural Business and a minor in Agriculture Communications. Laura has over 21 years of experience promoting beef with grocery retailers and food service operators through her ten years at the California Beef Council, followed by 14 years at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, where she currently serves as Senior Director, Channel Marketing.

Laura is the Valley Ranchers 4-H Club Co-Leader, and her daughter is an Ag4Youth member. She is also actively involved with her daughter’s school’s Family Faculty Club, where she serves as President. Laura resides in Napa with her husband, Jay, and daughter, Amy.

Pete Richmond is the founder of Silverado Farming Company, providing agricultural labor for wineries in Napa and Sonoma Counties. Founded in 2001, Silverado Farming Company oversees vineyard management for Napa’s top Cabernet Estates. The company donates one percent of its gross revenues each year through its foundation, 1% for the Community, directing the money to underfunded grassroots nonprofits who focus on farm worker issues and at-risk youth. He is active in a myriad of community organizations including Napa Valley Farm Worker Education Foundation, Napa Valley Grape Growers, and Ag4Youth.