About FREE TO BE

Jenean Thom joined Free to Be as Executive Director in April 2017. Jenean has worked with teens for more than 20 years as a high school and junior high vocal music teacher, youth leader, and mentor. Seeing the potential in youth is something that Jenean feels deeply about. She brings a passion for healthy choices and positive self-image for the teens of Sonoma County. Jenean is an energetic, detailed, and enthusiastic leader and is eager to add that to the Free to Be team. She brings with her, experience in program management, teaching, graphic design, communications, and volunteer coordination.

Jenean has been a resident of Santa Rosa since 2007 and in her spare time you can find her on the sports fields cheering on her two sons, riding bikes as a family, and spending time with her husband, Jason.

Sheila has a background in destination leadership and in marketing and public relations in both the private and public sectors. She was instrumental in the success of Sonoma County’s countywide tourism organization. She established the foundations, implemented the leadership process and managed a team that grew and developed from the ground up. As a mother of a teen, she wants kids to know their value and be confident in themselves as individuals. She holds a Mass Communications and Graphic Design degree from New Mexico Highlands University. Sheila enjoys volunteering at school and in the community. She also appreciates live music with her husband, Eric and especially when her son is performing playing the trumpet or keyboard.