Voices Behind the
Movement
Renaissance Petaluma is powered by business owners, community leaders, and residents who believe in Petaluma's potential. Meet the people building a new chapter for our historic downtown.
◼︎ Click here to join Renaissance Petaluma and help shape Petaluma's future.
◼︎ Click here to join Renaissance Petaluma and help shape Petaluma's future.
Planting the Seeds of Renaissance Petaluma
This coalition didn't emerge from a boardroom or City Hall — it grew organically from conversations among people who love Petaluma and want to see it thrive.
We're restaurant owners who see potential in our culinary scene, retailers who've invested in downtown's future, hospitality professionals who welcome visitors daily, and residents who care deeply about our community's character and well being.
What unites us? A belief that Petaluma can grow thoughtfully, prosper economically, and preserve authentically — all at once.
Meet the people working to build a new chapter for our historic downtown.
Heidi Kühn, Founder and CEO of Roots for Peace
Heidi Kühn is the Founder and CEO of Roots of Peace, a global nonprofit transforming war-torn lands into thriving agricultural communities across ten countries. Through its renowned Mines to Vines initiative, the organization has removed over 100,000 landmines, planted seven million fruit trees, and restored food security and livelihoods for more than one million farmers and families.
A descendant of Captain John Augustus McNear, an early California pioneer whose family helped build Petaluma’s historic and economic foundations, Heidi continues a legacy of fostering growth and prosperity. The McNear name adorns several of Petaluma’s historic buildings.
Her humanitarian leadership has been recognized worldwide with honors including the inaugural Nobel Earth Ethics Prize (2018), the Mahatma Gandhi SEVA Medal (2019), and the Mother Teresa Memorial Award for Social Justice. She also serves as Chair of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Council, leading plans for the Smithsonian’s 250th anniversary celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Heidi has also served as a reporter and producer for CNN and former CEO of NewsLink International.
Elisa Weber, Proprietor, Della Fattoria
Quality tourism businesses can showcase the things we produce, farm, cook, make and sell in Petaluma. When done right, these are collaborative ventures between visitors and our community—an approach that excites me. Projects led by people who love our area and live here bring authenticity.
Downtown Petaluma has been asking for more foot traffic for decades, and thoughtful hospitality investments can deliver that. I look forward to welcoming visitors who want to see what we're up to in Petaluma and showing them how incredible our area is, while bringing new vitality to a downtown that deserves to thrive.
Elizabeth Howland, Principal, Elizabeth Howland Consulting
“I am passionate about having a vibrant and thriving downtown in Petaluma, and I believe thoughtful hospitality projects contribute to that goal. Both our community members and visitors will benefit from well-executed tourism businesses. The increase to our local tax revenues that hotels, restaurants and bars bring to the City is important for funding local services and infrastructure, benefitting all our community members.”
Willie McDevitt, General Partner, McDevitt Enterprises & Inn Above Tide
“High-quality tourism development benefits all Petalumans by invigorating downtown. When developers have a proven track record of creating hospitality projects that enhance their communities, we all win.”
Robindira Unsworth, Jewelry Designer and proprietress of Robindira Unsworth
“I am grateful to call Petaluma home to my family and business for over 25 years. My goal has always been to create and bring beauty into our community through handcrafted jewelry and the lasting relationships we have built through our store, Robindira Unsworth. We welcome tourism with an exquisite eye and bountiful offerings that focus on highlighting and supporting what is unique and special about our town.
The prospect of visitors enjoying beautiful meals with ingredients from Petaluma farms, wine from our region and work from local artists is exciting. Meaningful hospitality paired with the bounty that Petaluma’s local businesses and community have to offer creates great opportunity for thoughtful growth that will benefit Petaluma for years to come. I am thankful to be part of this sweet town and thrilled to support this exciting new chapter of growth.”
Nancy Leoni, Owner, i Leoni
“Being a Downtown Petaluma business owner for over 20 years has put us in the position give a realistic perspective on what Petaluma is lacking and the opportunity to step up our economy and culture, not only for the growth of our business but to reinvent a positive vibrancy for the citizens and visitors of Petaluma.”
Daniel Castor, Owner, Hall of the Above
“We love Petaluma - the friendly people, the amazing food, the beautiful downtown, and the public energy / sense of community involvement. It seems like the City currently has a unique opportunity to evolve into a contemporary version of its best self. We want to do everything we can to help the City realize its potential as a vibrant, prosperous place for people to live and work.”
Daniel Bleakney Formby, Owner, Jupiter Foods
“I am excited at the potential of supporting businesses that move our town into a more robust destination for visitors and a vibrant place to live.”