One of Napa Valley’s best known civic and business leaders, Dorothy Lind-Salmon was the first woman president of the Napa Rotary Club. She was also fundraising chair for Napa Valley’s Flood Management Plan, which led to implementation of a $2 million restoration plan. Co-founder and vice president of Event-In-A-Box, an entertainment venue management and community development venture, she has also been an instrumental force in diverse organizations, from the Napa Valley Opera House to the Napa Valley Economic Development Corporation to Friends of the River. When not busy as an executive consultant, this adoring grandmother of two girls (Grace, age 4, and Arden, age 18 mos., pictured at left) enjoys boating on the Napa River and basking in the pleasure of knowing that her two grown sons are “strong, kind and able to weather difficulties in life with a sense of humor and compassion.”
Are you allergic to anything?
Negativity. I have to work hard to overcome the negative in others, taking up valuable time that could be spent on positive solutions.
What do you like to do on a rainy Sunday?
Read, snuggle and watch old movies.
If a famous person from history could return to life and be elected mayor of Napa, who would you want that person to be?
King Solomon, who seemed to be able to cut to the chase in making obvious, community-wide decisions that are easy for everyone to understand!
What’s something a senior consultant should never do?
Take on the sole responsibility for the organization’s ultimate decisions.
What was your most fulfilling professional experience?
The success of Napa Valley’s Flood Control Project.
Most embarrassing?
The Expo Project’s demise due to partisan politics.
Are you good at sports?
When I spent time at it, I was an OK golfer.
What’s something you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t had the chance to do yet?
Spend more time with my grandchildren.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
To get better at running at medium speed instead of full steam ahead and fast.
What was the most transformative moment of your childhood?
Being beaten up by a group of four boys and learning to stand up for myself and find my own power.
What’s the riskiest thing you’ve ever done?
When I left financial security behind to risk doing what my heart wanted.
If you had the power to change one thing about our country for the better, what would you change?
I would try to instill a sense of compassion for differences, encourage honest debate rather than condemnation for other points of view, and change blame into responsibility.
What song always makes you feel nostalgic?
“My Wild Irish Rose” because it reminds me of my grandmother.
What compliment did you recently receive that you really savored?
My granddaughter told me I was beautiful.
Do you have a nickname?
1-800 Dorothy or Auntie Dorothy in Napa.
What have you done in your life that required the most courage?
To keep going when things looked the darkest and realize that the journey through difficulty is a gift that makes you stronger, more humble and better able to really do your best life work.
Which living person do you most admire and why?
My husband, John, and my friend Lauren Ackerman because they are smart, tenacious, kind and strong.
Do you have a favorite drive near your home?
Driving up the Silverado Trail any time of the year.
If 2006 were destined to be a year like no other in terms of your achievement, fulfillment and contentment, what do you envision happening to make it so?
I would be working less hours, enjoying life more, and mentoring the next generation of local leaders to step up to the plate with enthusiasm and confidence.
