Team Bios
Administration
Lenila Batali
Executive Director
Lenila Batali is the Founder of D’Vine Path. She holds a degree in Architecture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo which she received in 1990. For the past 30 years she has practiced in the areas of architecture and landscape architecture. She is the owner of Designs by Lenila - an online design stationery company in business since 2003. In 2013, Lenila became a Certified Special Needs Family Life Coach. Lenila was the Founder and Director of Support Group for families with special needs for Jeremiah's Ranch. As a mother of someone with Autism, Lenila has been able to use her personal and professional experience to create an organization that serves those with disabilities. For the past four years she has served as an instructor for individuals with disabilities by teaching them in the areas of micro business, art and dance she has also helped developed a Batali Ranch Hands-On Work Program for adults with disabilities. She sits on both the Autism Professional Advisory Council for Mainly Mozart and the Fallbrook HS Workability1 Advisory Board. Lenila and her husband, Brent have two daughters, Tiana (26) who lives with autism and Serena, (23). They reside in Fallbrook, CA.
Canece Huber
Operations Director
Canece comes to D'Vine Path with an extensive background in management. For 13 years, Canece served REINS Therapeutic Horse Center as their Business Development Director, where she enhanced her skills in animal husbandry and working with adults and children on the spectrum.
Program
Serena Batali
Cordon and LEAFF Program Director
"Growing up with an autistic sister, the world of autism is my second home. I strongly believe in empowering these individuals to be the best they can be, and am proud to encourage my students to improve on themselves with everything they do. This is a special population with unbelievable talents and loving hearts, and with genuine encouragement,I know they can live the life of their dreams." - Serena Batali
Serena obtained a degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in Communications with a minor in Child Development and is certified as an Independent Facilitator for the Self-Determination Program. She lives in Fallbrook, CA.
Dr. Tom Olmstead
Trellis Track Viticulture and Enology Director
Tom secured his undergraduate degree in Arts from Augustana College, SD and his Ph. D. in Synthetic Organic Chemistry from The Pennsylvania State University. He currently teaches as an Organic Chemistry Professor at Grossmont College, San Diego. Tom lives in San Diego county and in his free time, when not traveling, manages his home estate vineyard. He began as a volunteer at D'Vine Path in 2018 and fell in love with the students and D'Vine Path's mission that he is now a core member of the DVP family.
Dianna Branche
Culinary Arts Director
Knowledge and hardworking with a hands-on style and a good grasp of marketing, Dianna brings over 20 years of experience in the food industry as owner and operator of successful restaurants and bakeries. Dianna is a Fallbrook native and is active with the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce collaborating with the hospitality industry.
Sandi Anderson
D'Vine Path Art Studios Director
Sandi Anderson has 2 adult sons on the autism spectrum. Advocating tirelessly for 30 years to help them reach their potential, she has amassed an arsenal of teaching skills. Using a myriad of teaching strategies is a lifestyle for her and has become the foundation of creative endeavors to meet her sons’ needs as well as those around them.
Ms. Anderson created “Arts In Motion,” an adult day program sourced and provided through the San Diego Regional Center to teach life, social, academic and business skills to her son, Joel. Together they have established a micro enterprise supporting Joel’s painting, animation and speaking schedule: Joel’s Vision Arts. As an international public speaker, Ms. Anderson is best known as an encourager of other parents with special needs children. For the past 15 years, she has been a key volunteer with Autism Tree Project Foundation, coordinating their Football Mentor Program with University of San Diego by working directly with the university, players and families. It is her greatest joy to share hope to other families all over the world.
Sandi & her husband Jeff are happy Fallbrook residents and have lived in our community for the past 22 years.
Jacob Cain
Facilitator
When Jacob came to D'Vine Path as a volunteer during its first year of operation, he had experience helping learning disabled students in the CREW (Creating Relationships with Every Warrior) Club at Fallbrook High School. He is currently a lifeguard, teaching swim lessons to children and people with special needs and is studying psychology and neuroscience. It is his genuine desire to help and passion in creating an enjoyable learning environment that landed him the Resource Counselor position at D'Vine Path.
Jesus Hernandez
Facilitator
Jesus is a native of Vista, California with a passion for helping others find their passion. He comes to D'Vine Path with a background in assisting individuals with learning disabilities reach their full potential. Being a former Academic Advisor at Long Beach Unified School District, his motivational presentations have been heard at middle schools in North San Diego County. He studied School Counseling at Cal State Long Beach and obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, with an emphasis in Educational Psychology.
Kayleen Trento
Facilitator
Kayleen comes to D'Vine Path with a lifetime of experience working with her learning disabled brother. She is an EMT and is currently attending nursing school to further her education in the healthcare industry.
Christal Gaines-Emory
Art and Media Coordinator
Christal graduated from Fallbrook High School with honors, where she was elected as Chapter Reporter for the Fallbrook FFA Chapter. She was the Co-Vice President of the CREW - Creating Relationships with Every Warrior - Club and completed her community service hours working in special education classrooms. American Sign Language was her second language choice in high school and she is already utilizing it by teaching a weekly ASL class to D'Vine Path students and staff. She currently interns at The Village News, Fallbrook's local newspaper, and also attends California State University Long Beach where she majors in Journalism.
Jennie Parker
Culinary Facilitator
Jennie has been a baker for over 20 years and has experience catering events such as parties, weddings, galas, and more. She has been volunteering with D'Vine Path for over three years, sharing her culinary expertise with our students through teaching baking, cooking and pastry decorating classes.
Michelle Compton
Horticulture
Michelle is our resident expert-garden who specializes in horticulture and botany. Growing up in Fallbrook, Michelle has been gardening and landscaping her property for years and is known as our "plant fairy!"
Kelly McKelvey
Program of Sales Director
Kelly served as Major Market's Flower Director for 25 years before joining the D'Vine Path Family. She specializes in floral arrangements, sales and marketing.
Board of Directors
Dr. Randy Anderson
Board President
Retired Vice President and Dean Of Student Services with a demonstrated history of working in higher education. Skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Academic Advising, Curriculum Development, Public Speaking, and Distance Learning. Strong professional with a Master's Degree from the University of Utah and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) focused in Higher Education/Leadership from Argosy University. randy_a33@hotmail.com
Naomi Monthei
Secretary
Fallbrook, CA native, San Diego State University Liberal Arts graduate, with deep roots in the agricultural community, Naomi Monthei is a mother of two teen-aged children; one of them, who's life is impacted by developmental delay. Naomi has been fortunate to work in both the High School and Elementary school Districts in Human Resources and Administrative capacities for over 15 years. Recently, she received her Level 2 Award Certificate from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET). Naomi's connection and background in Special Education, Human Resources Management, and wine study appreciation make her a perfect fit on the D'vine Path Advisory Board.
Brent Batali
Board Member (non-voting)
Brent grew up on a large family farm in Yakima, Washington, where his family grew and processed spearmint for Wrigley’s and concord grapes for Welch’s. He graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and became a produce broker. He currently owns a company that distributes conventional and organic produce throughout the United States. After being inspired by Lenila's vision for D'Vine Path, together Brent and Lenila planted a vineyard at Batali Ranch for the purpose of providing a place for special needs people to learn new skills and socialize with peers. He enjoys working with the students and getting back to the hands-on part of farming and wine making.