Rethink What's Possible
Jill Turner
Why I'm Running for Town Council
Dear friends and neighbors,
After much deliberation, I’ve decided to run for Yountville Town Council. I’m running for one term—not to begin a new career, but to contribute at an important time for our town. A time to rethink what’s possible.
My involvement began on February 17, 2026, when I—and many others—first heard about the Yountville Commons project. What I learned concerned me greatly, and I said so publicly. Those concerns seem to resonate with many other Yountville stakeholders as well.
Initially, I hoped to contribute through an ad hoc committee focused on Yountville Commons. However, the current Town Council has not embraced outside advisory committees, despite the wealth of talent, experience, and expertise among Yountville stakeholders. I came to a simple conclusion: if I want to play a meaningful role in decisions shaping Yountville’s future, I need to be at the Town Council table.
And Yountville Commons is only one reason I’m running.
WHY ME?
I believe my professional experience can bring a useful perspective to the Council, particularly in marketing, market research, business planning, project development, communications, and evaluating opportunities from both a business and consumer perspective.
Just as important, my husband Steve and I have owned a home in Yountville since 1998. We’ve watched the town evolve and change—both for better and worse. That decades-long perspective has given me a deep appreciation for what makes Yountville special, as well as a strong desire to think carefully and proactively about where we go next.
To me, that means genuine stakeholder engagement, transparency, integrity, fiscal responsibility, and a willingness to ask difficult questions before committing the town—and OUR resources—to long-term decisions.
I believe the Town Council should represent the interests OF and WITH the community, not make decisions FOR the community. Stakeholder input should be more than conversations at Town Council meetings; it should inform the decisions themselves.
The decisions facing Yountville today will ripple through time. Some, like Yountville Commons, will shape the town for decades. We have a responsibility to do our best to get them right.
I also recognize that no Council will make everyone happy. It’s therefore important to know a candidate’s priorities. As of now, here are links to mine.
Town of Yountville
Official Candidate Statement
"My husband Steve and I have happily owned a home in Yountville since 1998.
Born in Chicago, I graduated from the University of Denver, attended the University of Strasbourg in France for two years, then earned a graduate degree from Thunderbird School of Global Management near Phoenix.
After starting my career at Colgate-Palmolive in New York in product management, I joined advertising firm Botsford-Ketchum in San Francisco. After an extended trip around the world, I worked for World Savings, becoming Vice President of Marketing. Subsequently, I founded my own consulting company, Rodin & Shelley Associates, where I continue to work in diverse areas of interest and experience: marketing, PR, property management, and investments.
Among my community service activities, I was a long-time member of the Junior League of San Francisco, including Vice President. In Yountville, I have been a Board Member of our Vintage community for six years.
This is a pivotal and exciting time for Yountville. I believe my experience, perspective and skills can contribute meaningfully and add value to our town’s future. I look forward to helping advance the Yountville Commons project; exploring opportunities for the town to thrive; and strengthening engagement among residents, businesses, and veterans.