Los Gatos leaders reflect on 2025 and look ahead to 2026
Los Gatos leaders from government, business, service groups, the faith community, schools, foundations and volunteers shared their accomplishments for 2025 and goals for the new year.
Jennifer Lin, executive director of the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce, says that in 2025, “the Chamber elevated Taste of Los Gatos into a premier regional food and wine street festival with family-friendly features. In 2026, our focus is to strengthen the local economy and harness the energy of Super Bowl and FIFA visitors. We want to engage residents and introduce new audiences to the range of experiences that make Los Gatos a distinctive destination.” www.losgatoschamber.com
Tom Picraux, president of the Los Gatos Thrives Foundation, says, “Our key accomplishment in 2025 was the successful launch of our campaign to create a new Los Gatos Community Center for all ages. Our goal for 2026 is to secure the site and launch a fundraising campaign.” www.losgatosthrives.com
Sandy Decker, Chair of the Los Gatos Thrives Foundation, adds, “Looking back at 50 years of holidays in Los Gatos still gives me such a grateful glow to be a part of a community that never stops trying to improve.”
“The Kiwanis hosted a successful Fiesta de Artes (aka Los Gatos Art and Wine Festival) at Los Gatos Civic Center,” says Los Gatos Kiwanis President Rusty Rinehart “We just hosted the third annual Christmas Holiday Market. We have exciting events planned for 2026, including the annual Turn-around Scholarship Lunch in May and, of course, the Fiesta de Artes and Christmas Holiday Market and the Hippity-Hop Easter Egg Hunt at Oak Meadow Park.” www.lgkiwanisgives.com
Nancy Pearson, co-chair Los Gatos Art & Wine Festival, says, “2025 broke all records at our festival, providing more funds to give for local scholarships, help for local families in need, funds for our youth leadership clubs and more funding for pediatric trauma units. 2026 marks the 30th year for our LG Art & Wine Festival. Save the dates: Sept. 26-27.” www.losgatosfiesta.com
Los Gatos High School Student Body President Sophia Krish says, “In 2025, I’m proud of founding Santa Clara County’s first-ever Behavioral Health Youth Task Force, working to represent over 50 high schools in the county. I’m excited to increase participation of new high schools by 25% in 2026.”
Jonathan Knowles, board chair of the Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Foundation, says, “Building on increased community engagement, the police foundation will drive new public safety innovations to sustain and strengthen the exceptional safety our community enjoys.” www.lgmspolicefoundation.org
Tim Lundell has served as a leader and volunteer for numerous Los Gatos organizations. As a Los Gatos Morning Rotary member for 22 years, he is committed to the club’s charter of supporting music and arts in Los Gatos and says, “I volunteer for the annual summertime Jazz on the Plazz and at Gallery 24. This is a wonderful art gallery from which sales revenue supports community causes through the Los Gatos Morning Rotary Charitable Foundation.”
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