Meet Lenila Batali: Executive Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lenila Batali and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lenila, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I think life takes you on journeys that you weren’t planning on. I was a designer and watercolor artist enjoying a successful business. But because we have had to raise a daughter with autism, life started taking me to a different direction. Being very active in our daughter’s high school life, I was asked to be on the Workability Program as the artist work experience component of their program. Since 2013 I have enjoyed working with our special population and teaching them design/artistry. In 2017, we planted a vineyard and started our non-profit organization, D’Vine Path. We are dedicated to creating a safe and dynamic community providing life and vocational skills in agriculture, hospitality and the arts. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I hold a degree in Architecture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo which I received in 1990. For the past 30 years I have practiced in the areas of architecture and landscape architecture. I am the owner of Designs by Lenila – an online design stationery company in business since 2003. Because I had a child with special needs, I became a Certified Special Needs Family Life Coach in 2013. I was the Founder and Director of Support Group for families with special needs for Jeremiah’s Ranch in 2012. For the past four years I have served as an instructor for individuals with disabilities by teaching them in the areas of micro business, art and dance she has also helped developed a Batali Ranch Hands-On Work Program for adults with disabilities. As a mother of someone with Autism, I have been able to use my personal and professional experience to create a unique organization, D’Vine Path, that serves those with disabilities. What sets me apart from others is my successful entrepreneur background, being a parent of a person with a disability and having the ability to think creatively outside the box”. What I am most excited about our program is the love and support that is felt on the ranch by all who attends. Our clients enjoy coming to the ranch everyday to learn something new and to be with their friends. Creating this program was not easy. There are many rules and regulations that one has to follow to start a program for people with disabilities. 2 years of patience, dedication and faith helped us overcome the challenges. What we have learned the last 2 years of operation is that these rules and regulations are there for a purpose. Follow these rules and eventually they will save you! I would like the world to know that we have created a safe place for our special population; a place where they can learn to be the best they can be and be with friends that truly care.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Some of our favorite places to go in Fallbrook: Myrtle Creek Botanical Garden Santa Margarita River Preserve Hike Eats: 127 Social House Grand Tradition Estate and Gardens Smalltown Z Cafe Dominics Deli

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
We wouldn’t be here if not for the financial support of Batali Ranch, Inc.

Website: www.dvinepath.org
Instagram: dvinepathprogram
Facebook: D’Vine Path Program