Meet Our Board Members

When Elece Hempel retired as executive director of Petaluma People Services Center, she decided she would only commit her time to projects she truly believed in. Within minutes, she joined the board of Petaluma Voice and is our chair. Elece is a visionary trailblazer whose background in community organizing, public policy and urban planning helped to expand PPSC into the Petaluma force that it is today. Her ability to strengthen, lead and grow transcends institutions – this influencer has 18 grandkids! Elece’s commitment to building a resilient community is aligned with Petaluma Voice’s mission to provide locals with the trustworthy news they deserve to make informed decisions and inspire people to get involved.

Holly Wick is now retired from running Athletic Soles, the store she opened in 2006 in downtown Petaluma. But she has not slowed down one bit. The health and fitness expert continues to compete around the world in Ironmans and World Championships. When she’s not teaching spin classes or training for races, she’s running around with at least one of her five grandkids. A black belt in judo, she is not one to mess with – even cancer couldn’t take her down. As someone who is not afraid to speak her mind, she believes in Petaluma Voice’s mission of using your voice to make change happen. Holly is a powerhouse who raised four daughters and brings her energy, focus and business savvy to Petaluma Voice as our board treasurer.

Sara Dooley Henning juggles a dynamic career teaching business and entrepreneurship at Santa Rosa Junior College and as a consultant, working with mission-driven organizations to keep them on track. This graduate of UCLA Law School has principles rooted in service and connection – values she learned in the Peace Corps. Sara serves on Petaluma Voice's board because she believes local news helps people stay connected, pay attention, and show up. Her experience with other nonprofits and boards shape her as a leader and an engaged Petaluman. When she’s not teaching or strategizing, she’s shuttling her kids around town and keeping them on track. With two bold and spirited daughters, this is no small task but luckily, they have Sara to lead them by example. 

Jennifer Sawhney is a co-founder of Petaluma Voice. Jennifer’s journey to journalism took her on several paths including restaurant work, painting, and poetry. Following a degree in global studies from UCLA, this adventurer eventually followed that path to Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. Jennifer began her award-winning career covering stories in Mexico and Milwaukee, before coming home to Sonoma County where she was born and raised. As a reporter for The Press Democrat and Petaluma Argus-Courier, her work has been recognized with several awards from the California News Publishers Association. Jennifer looks forward to uplifting more Petaluma voices and to show the world the beautiful, the ugly, and the quirky about her hometown. Forever an east sider, she’s just “Jenny from the block” around here.

Crissy Pascual is a co-founder of Petaluma Voice. She has over 30 years of journalism experience – please don’t do the math! – working as a staff photographer for large metropolitan daily newspapers from coast to coast. Most recently, she was at the Petaluma Argus-Courier where she was consistently recognized for her award-winning work. Crissy moved to Petaluma after the birth of her twins and is proud to be raising them here, a place where she can teach them the importance of giving back to the community. After decades behind a camera, refining her skills and with so much still to learn, Crissy found her voice. Her goal for Petaluma Voice is the same as it is for her daughters -- to empower, inform and, occasionally, entertain.