Media Releases
Festival Napa Valley has elected four new members to its Board of Directors: Kathleen McIntosh, David L. Taub, Bill Urbach, and Jane Fujishige Yada.
“Festival Napa Valley is fortunate to have built an exceptional board of vintners, business leaders, and philanthropists who share a deep commitment to enriching our community through the arts,” said Festival Board Chairman Steven Stull. “We are delighted to welcome Kathleen, David, Bill, and Jane. Their leadership, expertise, and dedication will help strengthen our programs and expand access to inspiring artistic and educational experiences in Napa Valley and beyond.”
New Board Members
Kathleen McIntosh has supported Festival Napa Valley since 2014 alongside her husband, Michael Covarrubias. An active philanthropist for more than three decades, she has held business development and account management roles in real estate, working with clients and projects associated with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, and Pacific Marketing Associates. Most recently, she served as director of national accounts for a global event management company. McIntosh is a member of the Leaders Circle at SFJAZZ and supports organizations including the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association.
David L. Taub is a partner at McDermott Will & Schulte LLP in New York City, where he leads the firm’s Financial Institutions Advisory Practice, and teaches blockchain and cryptocurrency in the Master of Laws program at Cornell Tech. A founding board member of the Foundation for Global Arts, he helped expand the Russian National Orchestra’s U.S. presence and supported its role as Festival Napa Valley's founding orchestra. His arts involvement reflects a commitment to advancing international understanding through cultural exchange. Taub also serves on the board of trustees of The New York Foundling, which supports individuals and families through services, advocacy, and opportunities.
Bill Urbach is a retired business executive who grew up in the Bay Area, graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and later attended an executive education program at Harvard Business School. He began his career in the material handling and construction machinery industry, eventually owning and operating multiple dealerships across five western states. After retiring and moving to Carmel in 2001, Urbach became active in community service and nonprofit leadership. His board service has included the Carmel Bach Festival, The Carmel Foundation, and Monterey County SPCA, reflecting his commitment to the arts and community.
Jane Fujishige Yada grew up on her family’s produce farm in Anaheim. After selling the farm to The Walt Disney Company in 1988, the family continued farming in Orange, Ventura, and Santa Clara counties and helped establish California Berry Cultivars. Yada later co-managed the family’s real estate portfolio through Harbor Field Holdings, spanning agricultural, residential, industrial, office, and hospitality properties. Her philanthropy encompasses arts, health, and community organizations, including Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Pacific Symphony, CHOC, City of Hope, A3M, Hoag Hospital, and Second Harvest Food Bank.