April 2018 | sunflowerhill.org
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April 27, 2018 
Edie Nehls Hired as Executive Director for Sunflower Hill!
Edie Nehls, a nonprofit executive with more than 24 years of experience providing leadership,  strategic planning, development and fiscal stability to a myriad of community based  organizations has joined Sunflower Hill as its new Executive Director.

A recent transplant to Livermore, Nehls comes to Sunflower Hill from the National Ag Science  Center in Modesto. As deputy director, she managed fundraising and marketing efforts as well  as overseeing the organization's financial administration. Prior to this position, Nehls served as
Advancement Director and Hospitality & Events Manager for the Museum of Contemporary Art  San Diego. While at the Museum in San Diego she had the opportunity to work on two  capital campaigns. The first completed in 2007 with the opening of a new museum and  administration facility in downtown San Diego, here she worked closely with the Deputy Director,  general contractor, vendors and city agencies. The second capital campaign, during her tenure  as Advancement Director, gave her the opportunity to work closely with the CEO to garner  support for the renovation of the La Jolla flagship facility.

"Edie Nehls excels at helping organizations grow in strategic and meaningful ways," said Susan
Houghton, president of the board of directors for Sunflower Hill. "Throughout her career she
has championed innovative ideas for institutional change, successfully built and led  departments across various business units and developed new revenue streams to improve the  fiscal stability and growth of organizations. We're excited to have her join the Sunflower Hill  team and to help take our organization to the next level."

Nehls holds a BA in Theatre from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio and a Business
Management Certificate from the University of California, San Diego. In her new role as
Executive Director, she will lead the implementation of Sunflower Hill's residential communities
as well as manage the day-to-day operations of Sunflower Hill Gardens and Stable Café, two
vocational opportunities for individuals with special needs.

Several new community leaders also joined the Sunflower Hill board and advisory group this year.
To learn more about them click here for board members and here for advisors.  

Sunflower Hill, a Pleasanton-based nonprofit organization was started by local parents and
community leaders concerned about the long-term housing options for individuals with special
needs. Two affordable residential communities are now in development. In 2017, Sunflower
Hill Gardens at Hagemann Ranch in Livermore provided more than 14,000 pounds of produce to
agencies serving low income individuals. Sunflower Hill Gardens and Stable Café in Pleasanton
offer important vocational and social skills training to individuals with special needs.
For more information on Sunflower Hill, visit www.sunflowerhill.org.

Moonlight in the Vines on July 28!
Our annual gala,  Moonlight in the Vines,  is on  Saturday, July 28, from  5:30-10:30 p.m.

This year's exciting event will be at  Wente Vineyards  in Livermore! We are currently looking for live and silent auction items for the big event. If you have anything you would like to donate, please email TanyaLudden@sunflowerhill.org.

To see all the info on sponsorships and to purchase tickets, please go to our website
See you on July 28!!

Sunflower Hill Gardens Welcomes New Lead Teacher, Becca!
For Rebecca Langstaff, spending time with children has always been a source of great joy. Professionally, this is evidenced in her Early Childhood Education degree with Special Education Approval and 10+ years classroom teaching experience in both Livermore and Pleasanton schools. 

Though quite possibly, her latest adventure as mom to three boys - ages 8, 6 & 4 - has provided the greatest opportunity to foster a sense of curiosity and joy for learning. Rebecca is eager to bring experience and passion for interactive learning to her role as Sunflower Hill Garden Teacher. She looks forward to further developing curriculum and helping to create a learning program that enhances the hands-on work of the outdoor garden experience. 

A fun fact about Rebecca is that she LOVES musicals and singing/acting. She starred in musicals throughout high school, and now regularly leads music/performs in drama at Crosswinds Church. Listen carefully the next time you visit Sunflower Hill and you will no doubt hear her singing or leading dramatic actions in our classroom!

We are thrilled that Rebecca has joined our SFH Gardens Team!

Our Newest Story - Laura Droppo's Transition Class 

Our newest addition in our series of "stories" comes from Laura Droppo, Transition Teacher at Dublin Unified School District. Laura tells us about herself, her transition class, and why they love coming to Sunflower Hill Gardens. 

You can read Laura's story here.
Sunflower Hill's New Administrative Assistant

We are very excited to welcome Sarah Renton as our new Administrative Assistant for Sunflower Hill! Though she has lived in the Bay Area for the past twenty-five years, Sarah Renton grew up in Central Valley, surrounded by agriculture. Therefore, it's an appropriate and familiar experience to now be at Sunflower Hill, with its garden.
 
Sarah moved to San Francisco to attend San Francisco State where she received her degree in Technical and Professional Writing and a minor in Dance. She enjoyed many years there involved in various performing arts. She holds a firm belief that anyone and everyone should dance!
 
Sarah's first two jobs were on Treasure Island, first as an accounting assistant for the television show, "Nash Bridges." She then worked at Job Corps, also on Treasure Island, for many years. As an admin there for a charter high school, Sarah worked with students who were determined to complete their high school diploma. It was fulfilling and motivating to be a part of the success of young adults. She is now excited and honored to continue her journey at Sunflower Hill.
Visit Tri-Valley Presents Sunflower Hill with a BIG Check!

BIG THANKS to 
Visit Tri-Valley, California
for choosing Sunflower Hill for their Spread Cheer with Beer Campaign over the holidays! 

They presented us with a BIG check for $2,000 earlier this month!! 

And thank you to all of YOU who braved the fabulous breweries on the Tri-Valley Beer Trail. It's a tough job, but someone had to do it.
Sunflower Hill | | info@sunflowerhill.org | Phone 925.231.6003
P.O. Box 11436 Pleasanton, CA 94588