Meet the Team

Gabriella, a native of Italy, has dedicated her life to caring for others, beginning as a senior care provider as a teenager and eventually working as an RN in the ER and ICU departments. After moving to the U.S., she received her B.A. in Biological Sciences from Rutgers University and then pursued a career in marketing back in Europe, working as a marketing manager for Baxter Healthcare. Prior to starting Sequoia Senior Solutions with her husband in 2003, she earned a master’s degree in marketing from Golden Gate University. Gabriella most enjoys meeting with families who are beginning their search for home care, conducting home assessments, and helping potential clients and their families feel relaxed and relieved. She is a mother to three boys and lives with her husband Stanton Lawson in Petaluma, where she also serves on the board of the Petaluma Health Care District. In her free time, Gabriella enjoys cooking, gardening, and revisiting classic Italian literature through audiobooks.

Stan grew up near the beach right here in northern California. He holds a B.A. in Business Economics and Italian Literature and spent the early part of his career in international finance positions before returning to the U.S. to take on the management of his family’s resort in Dillion Beach. He eventually returned to finance and worked in that capacity until 2003, when his wife Gabriella introduced him to the growing field of senior care. Together they co-founded Sequoia Senior Solutions and Stan quickly realized how rewarding it was to do something that matters every day, especially in the community he grew up in. He most enjoys interacting with a variety of different people each day – from co-workers and caregivers to clients and their families. He is a father of three living with his wife in Petaluma, and in his free time, he enjoys all things motorcycle and returning to the beach with his family.

Carlos has  lived in Sonoma County for most of his life and much of his background has been in helping others.  Carlos received his degree of Business Administration of Science at Sonoma State University in 2021 and decided to pursue a career as the HR Coordinator at Sequoia Senior Solutions in August of 2021. Carlos says,  “It’s been a great journey helping caregivers and clients. I have learned a lot from this business, and I am very proud to be part of an amazing team that cares about helping others. A little more about me is that I live a pretty active life. I enjoy traveling a lot and have been to some amazing places. I also enjoy playing baseball and doing gymnastics.”

Erik learned early in life to be caregiver from his mother, who was a Registered Nurse in Marin County. He attended College of Marin, studying Business Administration and Hotel Management, and he’s had a varied career path that led him to working with cancer and AIDS patients in Sonoma County. Erik started with Sequoia Senior Solutions in 2016 as a Certified Care Aid and worked with a large variety of clients. When the Lakeport office needed an Office Coordinator, Erik stepped up to help and assisted two Care Managers in their duties. When the Care Manager position became available Erik eagerly stepped into the role. Erik thoroughly enjoys his role as Care Manager, as he thrives on helping our caregivers and clients. Erik loves his time off with his wife as they explore Lake and Mendocino Counties on their road adventures.

Bio coming soon.

Chris is a Buffalo native but has called Petaluma home for more than 30 years. She joined Sequoia Senior Solutions as a bookkeeper in 2011 after having trained extensively in accounting, both at the collegiate level and with the American Management Association. Chris has a heart for caregiving, serving as a hospice volunteer for six years and helping out family members in need of personal care assistance. In addition to working at Sequoia Senior Solutions, she has also been a client – bringing in a caregiver to help her father who suffers from Alzheimer’s. Chris most enjoys talking with clients and their families and especially appreciates the wisdom seniors have to share. In her free time, she likes to garden, read, and spend time with friends. She also loves anything tie-dye!

Derrick was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and is a graduate of Santa Monica College. He moved to Sonoma County in 2009 and is currently pursuing a certificate in Bookkeeping with Santa Rosa Junior College.

After moving his mother from Minnesota to California, Derrick and his sister have been taking care of her since 2021. This move has brought about an understanding of the quality of care that is needed in our advanced years.

Ariana grew up in Sonoma County and has a background in hospitality, event coordination, and marketing. After high school, she moved to Germany and completed a vocational program in hotel management, where she developed her love for working with people and creating meaningful experiences.

In 2024, Ariana transitioned into the home care field and found herself drawn to the creative side of outreach, including social media and content writing. She enjoys being part of a mission-driven team and values the opportunity to support families as they navigate care for their loved ones. Outside of work, Ariana loves staying active, traveling, and spending time with her two dogs, a Labradoodle and a Pitbull mix.

Originally from El Paso, TX, Giovanna brings a strong background in scheduling and home care, along with a deep passion for helping others. With three years of experience coordinating care, she has played a key role in ensuring clients receive the support they need while fostering positive relationships with caregivers.

Her journey began through volunteering in her local community and church, where she discovered her love for service. She’s excited to continue growing professionally in her current role, developing her leadership skills, and making a meaningful impact.

Outside of work, Giovanna enjoys staying active—whether it’s working out, biking, or swimming in the summer. She also loves cooking, spending time with family, and playing with her puppy. She’s passionate about goal-setting and personal growth and always enjoys a great conversation about future dreams and aspirations.