Good evening, Mayor and Councilmembers,

My name is Christina Lee, and I’m honored to share a few words this evening in recognition of a truly remarkable public servant — Jennifer Kansanback.

When I first arrived in Napa County nearly a decade ago, Jennifer was the very first person I met in the communications and public information space. She didn’t just welcome me — she took me under her wing. She had established and was leading what became the most collaborative, thoughtful, and effective group of public information officers I’ve ever encountered in any county I’ve worked in. While the group has since evolved under new leadership, the foundation Jen established set the bar high — one that many of us continue to reflect on with deep respect and appreciation. Jennifer wasn’t just a communications manager — she was a connector, a leader, and above all, a mentor.

For the past 19 years, Jennifer has exemplified the very best of public service. The role of a government communicator is one of the most misunderstood and underappreciated in public life. It requires not just skill, but resilience, empathy, and courage. You’re expected to be the guardian of truth and transparency — while navigating competing narratives, political pressures, and crisis after crisis. You’re the voice behind the curtain, the steady hand during emergencies, the advisor to leadership, and the mentor to the next generation of communicators. And often, you are asked to be both the valiant knight and the one who falls on the sword.

Jennifer has done all of this with integrity, grace, and unmatched professionalism. She has been a constant — a north star — in moments of uncertainty. She has served this city, and this county, with humility and heart. And she has left a lasting legacy not only through her work, but through the relationships she has built and the people she has uplifted along the way.

Jennifer, thank you for showing us what it means to lead with compassion, to communicate with clarity, and to serve selflessly. Congratulations on your well-earned retirement. You have more than earned this next chapter, and your impact will be felt long after your final day.

With deep appreciation,
Christina Lee