Virginia Hensen appointed chief executive officer of First

Virginia Hensen appointed chief executive officer of First Growth Children and Family
Charities, Inc., d/b/a Classic Wines Auction, Inc.
Q: What is First Growth Children and Family Charities?
A: First Growth Children and Family Charities was formed two years ago as a non-profit
corporation that oversees fundraising activities, with the Classic Wines Auction (CWA) being
its primary d/b/a subsidiary. CWA hosts an annual gala auction each spring, as well as
winemaker dinners and related activities. Over the past 27 years the CWA has raised nearly
$24 million for local charities.
Q: How will the new position of chief executive officer help the CWA expand its support
of charities that serve children and families in our community?
A: The CWA is one of the largest and most successful wine auctions in the country. We want
to continue to enhance our position as a leading fundraiser for local children and families. As
with any successful business, strategic growth is key. As CEO, Virginia will work to expand
our relationships with key constituencies, enhance our position in the local regional and
national communities, and create a long-term vision to keep the organization vital and
progressive. In short, she will be developing and implementing a long-range plan while the
CWA continues to raise funds annually for its charity partners.
Q: What skills and experience does Virginia bring to this position?
A: Virginia’s background is a mix of philanthropic, corporate relations, and fiscal management.
Throughout her career she has approached challenges strategically. That means looking
beyond the borders of a business or non-profit to see how they can grow, what partnerships
they can build, and how they can continually improve what they do, while at the same time
enhancing the core organization. She has done this for one of the world’s most successful
corporations, as well as a local charity serving youth and children.
As the director of public affairs and executive director of the NIKE P.L.A.Y. Foundation, she
directed annual cash and in-kind contributions of $10 million to non-profit agencies globally.
She also came into contact with a variety of different constituencies – volunteers, employees,
corporate donors and business partners. All of these constituents are key stakeholders of the
CWA. Virginia also spent five years as the executive director of a local youth development
agency that serves 10,000 young people, nearly tripling the organization’s operating budget
and leading a successful $3 million capital gifts campaign.
Q: Are there staff changes planned for the CWA?
A: No. The CWA events will continue to be under the leadership of executive director Heather
Martin and assistant director Kristy Wilson. The auction is a year-round endeavor, and
planning is already underway for our 2011 events. Beginning September 27 th Virginia will
focus her time on meeting board members, charity partners, supporters and sponsors, and
developing a strategic plan for the future.

Q: The CWA is obviously a successful event. How will the addition of Virginia enhance
the organization?
A: Virginia’s primary role as CEO will be to build on what we have done well over the past 27
years and set a course for our organization into the future. This will mean expanding and
strengthening our local support, developing new strategic partnerships, and envisioning what
our fundraising events look like in the decades to come. Our goal is to continue to produce a
very successful annual auction that benefits local charities while at the same time becoming a
premier wine and food event with a national and international audience.