Shannon Kuleto is a big believer in digging in to understand the fundamentals — what's at the heart of how and where things grow. Kuleto partners with private, public, and non-profit clients to shine a light on what's at the heart of their mission, their vision. Understanding the importance of a strong foundation empowers her clients to set a clear direction for all their strategic plans and communications.
BACKGROUND:
Kuleto’s resourceful and perceptive approach to problem-solving grew organically from her diverse experience. First as an educator and researcher, then as a California restaurateur and vintner and — throughout her career, as a communications specialist and strategic thinker — Kuleto’s far-ranging curiosity always guides her. She cultivates a dynamic array of interests across many disciplines. This knowledge helps Kuleto anticipate challenges, balance theory with real-life common sense — not to mention making her a killer trivia team member!
FROM APPALACHIANS TO APPELLATIONS
Kuleto’s Atlanta-based productivity support services to Pat Kuleto’s San Francisco restaurant design/management group led Kuleto to Napa Valley in 1993. Here she continued with Pat in restaurant ventures, developing Sage Canyon Ranch vineyards, and founding Kuleto Estate Winery as she expanded her consulting network.
Beyond the wine and hospitality world, Kuleto’s keen interests in both history and the future — especially the intersection of culture, environment, and economics —have brought her loyal clients and leadership with a range of boards and projects eager for her communications and campaign-execution skills. These include the NPO Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition, the County of Napa, the St Helena Choral Society, and her latest collaborative venture, Napa Valley ROOTS.
EDUCATION:
Known for her vision, integrity — and a knack for asking the right questions — Kuleto’s education includes business management at Georgia Tech, a practicum in restaurant development in Europe, graduate studies in history — then teaching — at Georgia State. In California, Kuleto continued with a variety of wine/viticultural studies (Court of Master Sommeliers, Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, UC Davis). She is deeply rooted in her Napa Valley community, and has worked pro bono on several boards including St Helena Star editorial board, St Helena Choral Society, St Helena Historical Society, and Napa County Historical Society.