Max Duley

Auction & Community Outreach Director, V Foundation Wine Celebration

Bio

From restaurants and wineries to non-profits, Max brings his unique problem- solving, business development and fundraising ideas to fruition through connecting people.

Working in restaurants from the age of 16, from dishwasher to corporate executive chef, gave Max a deep understanding of and love for the culinary industry. Graduating from the Culinary Institute of America was the beginning of a relationship that continues today, over two decades later, with his membership in their Society of Fellows.

His positions as Executive Chef, Director of both Hospitality and Operations, and General Manager at Napa Valley wineries gave him a bird’s-eye view of the wine industry, from hospitality to sales, operations to viticulture.

Co-founding two Internet start-ups, the second of which experienced a successful acquisition by Coupons.com, reaffirmed the importance of dynamic relationships in business.

Bringing his business-oriented mindset to the non-profit sector led to his current position as the Auction and Outreach Director for the V Wine Celebration benefiting the V Foundation for Cancer Research, held in Napa Valley each August. The auction has raised over $55 million for cancer research since his participation began eight years ago.

Max sits on the advisory boards of the California State Council for Developmental Disabilities, the Lincoln Theater in Yountville, and the Harvest Summit, and is a member of the Culinary Institute of America’s Society of Fellows.