Meet the Team

Gabriella Ambrosi

President and Co-Owner
LinkedIn Profile
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. Gabriella is very involved in the community and has served on several boards, including the Petaluma Health Care District, Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Petaluma Senior Advisory Committee. In her free time, Gabriella enjoys cooking, gardening, and revisiting classic Italian literature through audiobooks.

Stanton C. Lawson

CEO and Co-Owner
LinkedIn Profile
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 Vasquez

HR Director
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 Vogel

Care Manager- Lake and Mendocino Counties
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.

Jen Fisher

Care Manager- Sonoma County

Jen Fisher is a Sonoma County native whose passion for caring for seniors began at an early age. Some of her fondest childhood memories are of spending time with her grandmother, listening to Big Band music and hearing stories about days gone by. As her grandmother grew older, Jen naturally found herself stepping into a caregiving role—an experience that would ultimately shape both her career and her lifelong commitment to seniors.

Fittingly, Jen’s first paying job was as a caregiver. In 2005, she became a Certified Nursing Assistant and went on to work as a traveling CNA throughout Northern California, gaining valuable experience caring for people with a wide range of needs.

Jen’s journey with Sequoia Senior Solutions began in 2008 when she joined the company as a caregiver. In 2011, she graduated with Dean’s Honors as a Medical Assistant. Although she considered taking her career in a different direction, Jen realized that her true passion remained in senior care and chose to continue growing with Sequoia. Through hard work, dedication, and a genuine love for the people she served, she was promoted to Care Manager in 2015.

In 2017, Jen made the decision to step away from Sequoia to focus on another important role—being a mom. After adopting another child, she devoted the next several years to raising her family of six. Seven years later, when the time was right to return to work, Jen was thrilled to come home to Sequoia Senior Solutions and continue the work that had always meant so much to her.

Throughout her life, Jen has been committed to helping seniors not only remain safe and independent in their homes, but also stay connected to their communities. Her passion for service has extended into community outreach as well. Through her work with the American Red Cross, Jen has served as a CPR and First Aid instructor and has volunteered her time to provide classes, including free training opportunities for youth and seniors.

Outside of work, Jen has enjoyed one particularly sweet hobby—beekeeping. These days, she loves spending time with her husband and their dogs, camping and enjoying vacations together. Most of all, she looks forward to planning the next big holiday or family gathering that brings all of her children back home and together under one roof.

For Jen, caring for others has never simply been a career, it has remained a meaningful part of who she is.

Amber Hale

Accounts Receivable Specialist

Amber is a dedicated and detail-oriented professional with experience in healthcare administration, accounts receivable, customer service, and business management. She brings strong organizational skills, a passion for helping others, and a commitment to providing accurate and dependable support.

Amber’s background includes veterinary healthcare administration, managing her own licensed family daycare, and completing her Medical Billing and Coding Certificate through Penn Foster. She enjoys continuing to learn and grow while contributing to a positive and efficient team environment.

Outside of work, Amber enjoys drawing, photography, exploring the outdoors, hiking, traveling, camping, reading, and spending time with her family and pets.

Derrick Dennard

Payroll Administrator
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.

Beth Van Heuklom

Client Engagement Specialist

Beth is the Client Engagement Specialist at Sequoia Senior Solutions, where she enjoys connecting with individuals and families to help them navigate senior care with compassion and confidence. She is dedicated to providing a welcoming experience, answering questions, and ensuring every client feels heard and supported from their very first interaction.

Outside of work, Beth enjoys hiking, getting lost in a good book, and spending quality time with friends. She’s also a proud cat mom to two cats who keep life entertaining at home.

Giovanna Pena

Scheduler
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.