EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jamey Gill
Jamey Gill is the Executive Director for Blue Zones Project – Lake County. Jamey is thrilled to support a dynamic team focused on elevating the well-being of our community.
A lifelong resident of Lake County, Jamey started her career at Konocti Unified School District and brings over 25 years of experience in education as a teacher, curriculum specialist, Director of Regional Partnerships for UC San Francisco, and most recently as Program Manager for AVID, a national nonprofit focused on transforming school leadership and culture. In addition, she has experience in marketing/community outreach for a variety of companies including local wine and finance industries, most recently as VP of Marketing for Community First Credit Union.
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PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCATE
Greg Damron
Greg Damron is Blue Zones Project Lake County’s Public Policy Advocate. He brings over twenty-five years of international field experience in the arenas of preventative public health, food security, community development and policy advocacy. Since joining the team in 2022, Greg devotes much of his personal time to developing his property into a regenerative subsistence farm. He is promoting well-being and healing for himself, his family and his friends by creating community around finding purpose with small-scale Ag that promotes natural movement and field-to-fork home-grown healthy nutrition.
My Power 9
Greg’s favorite Power 9® principle is Friends @ 5, which sometimes includes hanging with his pet goats, turkeys and geese. Greg is an avid hiker, seasoned naturalist and citizen scientist. He can often be found on local conservation area trails photographing Lake County’s wealth of botanical treasures. Greg has grown to love Lake County and is passionate about investing his time across our communities to ensure health equity for all.
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ORGANIZATION LEAD
Kelly Yandell
Kelly was born and raised in and Lake County through her early adulthood years. She and her partner, Michael, relocated to Hidden Valley Lake from Folsom a year and a half ago. Until recently, Kelly worked with Blue Shield of CA as a supervisor in their Customer Service department. She brings a background in leadership, training and education to the Blue Zones Project Lake County. As part of her efforts in our community, Kelly will connect directly with worksites, schools, restaurants, and grocery stores to transform the way we work, live and play. “I am beyond excited to be part of such a significant and impactful project as the Blue Zones Project Lake County. I am thankful for the opportunity to give back to a community that significantly invested in me as a younger person and who helped form who I have grown into.”
Kelly loves spending time with her partner, family, and friends. Her favorite activities are participating in half marathons, hiking, and yoga. When not outdoors, she enjoys reading and listening to podcasts.
My Power 9
Currently, Kelly’s favorite Blue Zones Power 9 lifestyle principle is Plant Slant. Kelly enjoys practicing this principle in the kitchen as she explores new whole food, plant-based recipes.
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ENGAGEMENT LEAD
April Strait
April began her journey as a Lake County community member nearly 20 years ago following her parents who had moved to the area several years earlier. She raised her daughter through Lake County Schools and has held a career primarily in the field of education. April has served as a preschool teacher, elementary school librarian, and a quality improvement coach for early childhood educators. April has worked as both the Events and Office Specialist and currently, the Engagement Lead for The Blue Zones Project – Lake County team.
April’s varied career roles have given her a unique perspective on the different communities that inhabit Lake County, each one unique and special, and she is excited to bring the Blue Zones Project to these communities to help make a difference in people’s health and well-being.
When April Is not working to spread the Blue Zones message, you can find her on road trips to the ocean or the redwoods with her two dogs, where they love to explore the trails.
Thrift shopping and antiquing is another favorite past time, hunting for treasures to add to her home or garden. If April she’s not busy with these activities, you may find her relaxing in her garden with a good book where she practices downshifting, her favorite of the Blue Zones Project Power 9® principle.
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ORGANIZATION LEAD
Madeline (Mae) Erceg
Madeline (Mae) Erceg joins Blue Zones Project® – Lake County as the Sr. Events and Office Specialist. Madeline Erceg, known by most as Mae, has lived in the Lake County community for the last eight years. She grew up and moved from the San Jose Metropolitan area with her partner, David Burruss, in order to escape the fast paced (and expensive) big city life. Since moving to Lake County, she’s come to love and appreciate the small-town country life, where Sundays are slow, the community is kind, and the beauty of our surroundings take center stage.
Mae’s previous work experiences stem from a large variety of customer service based positions including her most at the Lake County Chamber of Commerce. Her knowledge of the Lake County community, both past and present, is a great resource she’ll utilize when connecting with community members at future events. She is looking forward to experiencing Lake County from a Blue Zones “live longer, better” standpoint alongside her team members.
My Power 9
Mae has a love for the outdoors and her hobbies include hiking, swimming, fishing, and anything that gets her outside and moving. When not outdoors, she enjoys reading, creating art, and cuddling with her two dogs that are her “children.” Her favorite Blue Zones Power 9® is Purpose. Aligning with her hobbies, Mae’s purpose, or the reason she wakes up in the morning, is to experience all that life has to offer, because every day is a gift.
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