Beyond the Boardroom Eli Weinzveg, executive director of CTE Foundation
By Rosie Padilla
What are your responsibilities as head of the CTE Foundation? Much of my time is spent connecting with local business leaders, education partners and government officials to advance our work at the foundation. This includes advocacy, strategic conversations, planning and outreach. I meet regularly with our team to plan, coordinate and strategize how we can continue to elevate local industries and create dynamic opportunities for students across Sonoma County. What do you do outside of work? My daily life is always interesting and full. I’m the dad of 14-year-old eighth grade twins who are very active. My daughter plays multiple sports, and my son is on the school robotics team, so in addition to my full workday, I’m also a taxi driver, chef and educational consultant for my kids. Tell us about your work in education prior CTEF. I began my career as a history teacher in the Roseland School District, later becoming an assistant principal before transitioning to the nonprofit sector with [education equity nonprofit] 10,000 Degrees as a regional manager, and now to CTE Foundation. Working directly with students and families early in my career gave me a deep understanding of their needs, as well as an appreciation for the creativity and innovation of young people. Seeing firsthand the gaps in our education system helps me navigate conversations with educators and My career has been dedicated to supporting students who are furthest from opportunity in achieving the futures they dream of. Working for the CTE Foundation feels like the culmination of that work. No matter what path we take, whether we pursue higher education or not, all of us will build a career in some form. Preparing students meaningfully for that future not only promotes economic mobility but also strengthens Sonoma County as a place to live and work. What should our readers know about the Path to Purpose? Path to Purpose is a countywide internship program for high school juniors and seniors designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience. The program provides students with a structured, supported opportunity to explore professional work environments in industries that align with their interests, skills and future goals. As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? school leaders with empathy and understanding. What’s meant most to you in working with CTE? Career Technical Education Foundation Sonoma County is dedicated to providing students with career training to better prepare them for life after high school. CTE programs provide young people the opportunity to envision a future that doesn’t necessarily include a pursuit of higher education. Eli Weinzveg, executive director of CTEF, explains that in order to maintain the success of the foundation, the team utilizes its association with the Economic Development Collaborative, the Sonoma County Office of Education, chambers of commerce, local government, employers and more. Established in 2017 and based in Santa Rosa, CTEF serves as connector between students and employers. “One of the most exciting aspects of this work is watching young people discover careers they didn’t even know existed and begin to envision their place in Sonoma County’s future workforce,” says Weinzveg. The CTE Foundation’s ultimate goal is to transform education to equitably prepare Sonoma County students, reshaping perceptions of readiness and ensure access to high- quality pathways that align passion, skills and career aspirations. To find out more about the foundation, visit ctesonomacounty.org .
When I was growing up, I wanted to be a criminal profiler for the FBI. I’ve always been fascinated by human behavior and thought working with law enforcement to solve crimes would be thrilling. I even started college as a criminal justice major. But over time, I realized I wanted to help people before they ever enter the criminal justice system. What would you really like to learn to do? I’d love to learn how to play guitar and to speak Spanish fluently. Favorite thing to do on the weekends? I love sports and live music, so watching my kids compete or going to live sporting events or concerts are some of my favorite ways to unwind. I also really enjoy cooking and spending time with friends, two things that always make for a great weekend.
66 NorthBaybiz
November 2025
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