Dana Morris,
Co-Chairperson

^{My husband and I met at Cal and have been fortunate to raise our three kids (ages 19-25) in the Bay Area. I had been working either full or part time Nestlé Dreyer’s Ice Cream in the marketing department over this same time period, but was fortunate to recently retire from there. With my extra time, I now work at UC Berkeley, Haas in the admissions department.} 

^{Through my kids’ “growing up” years, I had been actively involved in several volunteer and non-profit organizations related to my kids and served on the various executive boards.  As I became an “empty nester”, though, I was looking for an opportunity to contribute to my community in a way that was meaningful to me. I discovered DSCBA through several friends who have special needs kids and rely on their services, and it immediately seemed like the perfect fit.  I am thrilled to now be part of such an amazing organization and hope to use my non-profit and marketing background to contribute further.}

Mike Lin
Co-Chairperson

Steven Pugsley,
Treasurer

Julie Sodestrom,
Secretary

^{My husband, Dirk, and I came to be involved with the DSCBA in 1998 when our third son, Daniel, was born.  With two boys, 8 & 10 yr. old, we were not new to parenting, but we were new to the world of Down syndrome.  I attended the first anniversary meeting of this new organization called The Down Syndrome Connection with a deer-in-the-headlights look.  They soon became our community where we made friends, got advice, got support and reassurances.}

^{I served on the Board in the early 2000’s and have enjoyed seeing the growth and success of the organization since it’s early beginnings. I look forward to seeing the Connection remain strong and be the same source of help and encouragement to many more new families in our future.}

^{I also serve on the Board of The Noll Foundation, which is a charitable foundation that focuses on providing grants to organizations that serve children:  with disabilities, are financially needy or do research into childhood diseases.  The DSCBA has been a long-time recipient of grants from the Noll Foundation.} 

^{Born and raised in Healdsburg, Clay is part of the sixth generation of a grape-growing family. Pioneers from Sweden, they raised Merino sheep for the wool and planted their first vines on land they settled in 1868, an area that now anchors the Rockpile AVA.Clay graduated from Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa, CA and headed off to the University of Oregon to play football and earn a degree. Two degrees and a couple of surgeries later, in 1997 Clay returned to Sonoma County, where he worked at Kenwood Vineyards, and later honed his skills alongside winemakers at Jordan Vineyards and Winery, Taft Street Winery and Dry Creek Vineyard. In 1998 he founded Mauritson Family Winery with the first vintage of Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel. Today, Mauritson Family Winery is one of the most respected wineries in Sonoma County. Clay and his wife, Carrie, live in Healdsburg with their three children: Brady, Davis, and Ella. Their oldest son Brady was diagnosed with Down syndrome in 2010. Clay was a founding board member of the DSANB (Down Syndrome Association North Bay) and started Project Zin, a successful fundraising event for the DSANB. Clay and his wife support a number of nonprofits that focus on making the world a better place for people with disabilities: the National Ability Center, the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, Higher Ground, and the Frankie Lemon School to name a few.Clay has served on numerous nonprofit and industry boards, including: Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley, Rockpile Grape Growers Association, and the American AgCredit Nominating Committee. Clay is currently the President of the Sonoma County Vintners and a board member of the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation.}

Jean Johnstone

^{Jean has been involved with non-profit organizations since volunteering after school at 13 to help 4-6 year-olds with reading and crafts. She continued volunteering at several non-profits over the years while working at both for & non-profit organizations, including 17 years running her own marketing & promotions consulting firm working with the travel, entertainment, and wine industries. And her board affiliations have included organizations to empowered women, individuals with disabilities, and tourism associations.}

^{As Executive Director of the non-profit Xenophon Therapeutic Riding Center, providing equine therapy for children and adults with disabilities, Jean was aware of DSCBA and some of the benefits for the community. She was honored to be invited to join the Board and further impressed by the resources and opportunities for the community to connect, starting from the point of diagnosis.}

^{Not surprising, in her down time Jean enjoys the same industries she has worked with…travel, wine, storytelling, and new experience adventures!}

Frank Benavidez,
Board Finance Committee

Erick Montgomery,
Board Finance Committee

Financial Documents

2021 990

2018 Audit

2017 Audit

2016 Audit

2015 Audit