Knowing first hand what a dedicated, innovative and passionate ambassador of education Janet has been, it is hard to imagine someone stepping into her shoes and taking the organization on to an even higher level. Educational funding has never been more vital. Yet Janet's well earned retirement move comes with characteristically impeccable timing, as the foundation celebrates its most successful year. All great leaders know to hand the baton at the pivotal moment!
Please join me in wishing Janet a long and happy retirement with plentiful time to explore the world, along with her family and friends who have been so accustomed to her long, devoted hours of strategizing, networking and building extraordinary relationships within the South County's philanthropic and business community, event planning, board meetings, scholarship and grant award presentations and ceremonies and always focused on spreading the word of the imperative work of PEF.
Since taking the helm in 2005, Janet led her staff and Board of Directors in raising $3,907,907 in funds and awarding $2,808,177 in grants and scholarships to local schools, while providing active stewardship of PEF's $3.8 endowment. “I am particularly proud that we achieved this collective success during the recent economic recession,” she said, in her retirement announcement, this week. “We stayed focused on our mission, relentlessly looked forward and boldly grew our impact for our schools.”
The mounting needs of the educational community also required PEF to develop a long-
term strategic policy to sustain this impact by simultaneously growing the organizationʼs
Fund the Future Grant Endowment while expanding the PEF Grant Program. “I have never been more excited about PEF's future," said Janet. "We have created such a solid foundation,
such a dynamic vision, that PEF can and will continue to thrive, well beyond the
contributions of any one individual or group of individuals.”
Her confidence in PEFʼs long-term viability has enabled her to take this next step
without hesitation. Involved with PEF for over 22 years, Janet started as a freelance
graphic artist creating many of the collectable event posters for the foundationʼs well
known community event - The Bash. In late 2005, she accepted the position of
Executive Director to develop the foundationʼs role as an essential partner in addressing
the needs for innovative and sustainable programs in the local schools.
PEF Board President, W. Thom Knudson, says, “the transition does not have a set
timetable. Both Janet and the board are determined to take the time to allow the
foundation to identify the ideal match who will be able to lead us into the future of ever
expanding service to the community.”
“We are so very honored to have worked side-by-
side with Janet during her time with PEF. As friends, we are very excited for her to
celebrate this next stage in her personal life. As her colleagues, we will truly miss
working with her on a day-to-day basis but know she will always be a part of the
organizationʼs legacy in Petaluma.”
Janet and her husband, Petaluma native, Gary Ramatici, have two adult daughters
both currently residing in San Francisco.
Also under the PEF umbrella is Alphabet Soup Thrift Store, currently readying its second store to house furniture and home decor and accessories on Western Avenue, in downtown Petaluma - Alphabet Soup@Home.
PEF supports 13,000 students at Petalumaʼs 37 K-12 public, private and charter schools. Through the generosity of individual donors, business partners, and the benefit of Alphabet Soup Thrift Store, the foundation provides grants and scholarships to create a positive and lasting impact in local schools.
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