The Ernest Bates Foundation Announces the Appointment of Vanessa Robledo as Its New President

The Ernest Bates Foundation announced Vanessa Robledo as their new President today. Robledo is a successful wine industry executive with a strong background in civic leadership and service.

Dr. Bates, Founder of the Foundation stated, “Vanessa’s entrepreneurial experiences in the wine industry and her background bring unique context to the Foundation. We look forward to her perspectives and expertise as we continue to advance the Foundation’s goals.”

Robledo is currently the President and Managing Partner of Black Coyote, a premium winery in the Napa Valley. During her tenure at Black Coyote, she has increased sales, distribution and wine club membership in addition to raising awareness of the brand. Prior to Black Coyote, Vanessa worked her way up to become President of her family’s Sonoma winery, Robledo Family Winery. She is a fourth generation grape grower who began working in her family vineyard at age eight with her eight siblings. As President, Robledo increased her family’s wine production from 100 cases in 1997 to a thriving 20,000 in 2007.

She has received much recognition as an important member of the Latino community. Latina Style magazine named her Latina Entrepreneur of the Year in 2008. The North Bay Business Journal named her one of 2007’s Leading Young Professionals and in 2006 she was awarded the Latino Business Leadership Award given to the most influential Hispanic leader in the Bay Area. In addition, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors honored her as the first district recipient of the Woman of Color Humanitarian Award in 2005.

In accepting her appointment, Robledo said, “Understanding the challenges firsthand of the Latino community, I am excited to lead the Ernest Bates Foundation to help make positive, lasting changes in my community as well as the African-American community.”

About the Ernest Bates Foundation

The Ernest Bates Foundation is a private family foundation created in 2004 by Ernest A. Bates, MD, one of the first board certified African-American neurosurgeons in the U.S. and CEO of American Shared Hospital Services. The Foundation primarily provides grants to nonprofit organizations who focus on healthcare and those who are working to break the cycle of under-education of the African-American and Latino communities. The Foundation focuses on Northern California but has also made national and international grants.

Contacts

Ernest Bates Foundation
Sarah Brewster, 415-788-5300
Secretary
sarah@ashs.com

From: www.businesswire.com

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