2025 Ambassadors

Kellie is the first person to take on the position of Program Manager for the Truckee Cultural District administered by Nevada County Arts Council. She has lived in Truckee for 19 years and worked in the Reno/Tahoe region non-profit sector for 24 years. Non-profit administration is her passion with a focus in creative visioning, strategic planning, community collaboration and fundraising. Kellie has helped achieve next level goals for Nevada Arts Council, Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation, KidZone Museum, North Tahoe Arts and Contractors Association of Truckee Tahoe. She feels most professionally aligned when she is utilizing her Master of Arts in arts administration from Golden Gate University, San Francisco. She is committed to a high level of community leadership and investment through her work serving on the board of the Truckee Chamber of Commerce and on committees for Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation and Tahoe Truckee Unified School District. When not in the office, Kellie is living her best life doing day to day with local firefighter husband Jeff and on the slopes with their U19 Sugar Bowl Freeride skiers Henry and Lily. 

Shaina Evoniuk is a classically trained violinist with a dynamic career spanning classical to pop and everything in between. She cultivated her early musical foundation through rigorous training and vibrant performance opportunities, earning a Bachelors Degree in Violin Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Today, Shaina is a highly sought-after performer and collaborator, recognized for her versatility and artistry both on stage and in the studio.

Shaina’s career reflects her passion for exploring a wide range of musical genres and outfits. She regularly travels around the globe to perform, both as a soloist and with touring artists. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, she is an in-demand contractor, hiring and leading ensembles as large as full symphonies for touring artists like ODESZA, Smokey Robinson, TroyBoi and others. Shaina is also known for creating and presenting bespoke ensembles and custom musical experiences for brands, companies, and luxury events. Shaina is the founder of Eclecta Strings, leads Jazz Mafia's string section, the Sounds Elevated string unit, and the genre-defying chamber ensemble Cosa Nostra Strings.

Shaina’s recording credits include contributions to some of the music industry's most celebrated works. Her violin graces Leon Bridges’ GRAMMY-winning song Bet Ain’t Worth the Hand, Lizzo’s GRAMMY-winning album Cuz I Love You, and Alphabet Rockers’ GRAMMY-nominated album The Love. She performed and arranged strings for Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello’s rendition of The Christmas Song and the acoustic version of Mendes’ hit Wonder. In 2018, she released her critically acclaimed debut solo album, Hitwoman Honey, followed by three albums with Cosa Nostra Strings in 2020.

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Shaina has had the great joy, honor, and privilege of knowing the Hamilton family for over a decade. She has learned so much about how to live well from Jeff, that he's truly a part of her every day. She is so grateful for the opportunity to have a small part in carrying on his enormous legacy.

Pati has lived in Truckee for over 35 years. Now retired, Pati maintained her Estate Planning law practice here in Truckee throughout that time. Pati has advised, formed and/or been a member of the board of too many non-profit organizations to list here.  And she has volunteered on numerous committees and projects within our region. She believes that community involvement is essential to helping a small community thrive. Pati is a self described “Mountain Person” and enjoys the numerous opportunities that life in the mountains has to offer. Everything from the solitude of a mountain top, the sound of wind through the trees, breathing the clean air and more.  She raised her two children here to afford them that life.  She particularly enjoys Nordic skiing, stand up paddle boarding, and hiking - especially with her dog, Henry.

Matt is a second-generation roofing contractor born and raised in the Truckee Tahoe area.  After finishing college with a degree in Business Economics Matt moved back to Truckee to succeed his father at the helm of the family business.  Matt learned early on the value of working in the trades.  The hands-on skills required to construct a working component of a structure provided a source of income and confidence.  Matt hopes to inspire a younger generation to consider a career in the trades to meet the inexhaustible demand now and in the future.

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Jonathan completed his undergraduate and graduate studies at UCSB, then attended medical school in Chicago, and completed a 4 year residency through the UCSF-Fresno Emergency Medicine program. He has been a Truckee resident since 1991, and initially was part time at Tahoe Forest Hospital while full time at Renown, but 10 years ago switched to solely Tahoe Forest. In addition to working in the Emergency Department, he has had administrative roles including department chair and Chief of Staff for the hospital.

He was a member of the Tahoe Nordic Search and Rescue team for 10 years, and has been a Board member for the Sierra Avalanche Center for the last 12 years. He has been devoted to his bride and children, and has had many adventures with them. In addition, his free time is spent outdoors; backcountry and nordic skiing in the winter, and all types of cycling (road/gravel/mountain biking) and hiking in the warmer seasons.

Jeff and Jonathan met in the mid 90’s building his house, and crossed paths frequently road cycling. He will tell you that while Jeff was a very sweet man, once he was on the bike his (HIGHLY) competitive nature was exposed!

Jeff was my dear friend and business partner.  It is my honor and pleasure to be a part of his legacy.