2020 Leadership Council

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Joe Hernandez

Joe Hernandez, 2020 Chair

Director of Client Relations, Premier Healthcare Services
A Southern California native, UC Davis and Sac State graduate, and passionate community leader, Joe Hernandez first came to Sacramento to pursue a Master of Business Administration from Sacramento State University in 2013. During that time, up until his graduation, it was hard not to fall in love with Sacramento. The region was going through a revitalization which could be seen and felt all around. The increasing number of local restaurants, cool bars, street activations, outdoor concerts and movies, improved amenities and infrastructure crafted a unique and enticing welcome. He wanted to be involved. He wanted to give back. He wanted to be a part of something bigger than himself. Metro EDGE was the perfect outlet to channel this new-found…
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Liza Trujillo Kirkland

Liza Trujillo Kirkland, 2020 Vice Chair

Manager of Community Health & Outreach, Dignity Health
Born and raised in Oceanside, CA to/by immigrant parents, I am inspired by a deep-seated passion for helping others. My sense of self-efficacy is highest when I can apply my experiential knowledge and skill set in a way that serves my community and the greater good. I live in Southside Park with my amazing husband, Spencer and our two crazy, but adorable pugs, Che and Rocco.
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Ravindar Singh

Ravindar Singh, 2020 2nd Vice Chair

Community Engagement Coordinator, WellSpace Health
Ravindar Singh is a community liaison who’s earned his Bachelors of Science degree from The University of Phoenix in Health Care Management, and an undergrad in Business Management. Mr. Singh currently is in the process of completing his MBA, and is set to graduate in December 2020. Mr. Singh has worked for WellSpace Health, where he built and managed the company’s community outreach engagement and public relations department. Mr. Singh moved on to work for Physicians for a Healthy California where he managed five core programs related to physician diversity, and oversaw all social media platforms for the organization. Mr. Singh is currently working with Capital Region Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to create his own LLC focused on community…
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Anne Descalzo

Anne Descalzo, 2020 Immediate Past Chair

Community Banking Manager, SAFE Credit Union
Anne Descalzo maintains a co-existing love for motherhood and her career! She is wife to her loving husband, John, and mother to two energetic children: Owen and Hazel and AVP of Community Banking to her team at SAFE Credit Union. Anne resides in the foothills, and in her precious free time enjoys the tranquility of being outdoors - hiking, listening to podcasts, and working on her fixer upper home. Her passion lies in sharing the value of financial wellness and serving her community. In her current role, she provides strategic oversight of SAFE’s extensive community involvement, the [email protected] Work program - which combats financial distraction and provides wellness benefits to employees around the region, and Financial Education programs for adults…
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Evan Harris

Evan Harris

Communications Committee Chair

Senior Account Executive
Edelman
Evan is a Senior Account Executive at Edelman Public Relations in Sacramento. He previously served as a communications director and legislative assistant in the California State Assembly and is a graduate of the University of Oregon (Go Ducks!). Outside of the office, you can find him and his…
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Gina McLaughlin

Gina McLaughlin

Communications Committee Co-Chair

Content Specialist
VSP Global
Joining Metro EDGE in October 2017 is one of the best things I’ve ever done for my professional and personal development. Since I became an EDGEr, I’ve served on the Emerge Summit Committee and the Communications Committee, both of which have given me valuable experience to add to…
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Jenn Fuss

Jenn Fuss

Engage Committee Chair

Community Relations & Outreach Director
Clipped In Races
I’m a Sacramento native through and through, having left town only to obtain my business degree with a concentration in entrepreneurship from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. I loved growing up in Sacramento, and always planned to build my adult life here. I like to describe Sacramento as…
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Justin Stein

Justin Stein

Engage Committee Co-Chair

Assistant Project Manager
Teichert
Justin is an Assistant Project Manager at Teichert Materials in Sacramento. At Teichert he focuses on land use permitting and the CEQA process. As a Sacramento native, Justin has a passion and understanding for the region. He enjoys the feeling of living in a mid-sized metropolitan city that…
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Kelly Brown

Kelly Brown

Give Committee Chair

Business Planning Analyst
SMUD
I am a Sacramento area native who loves this region and wants to continue to see it thrive. I have a professional track record of success in corporate, start-up, and nonprofit companies. I am a proud double Aggie alum with an undergraduate degree in Managerial Economics and a…
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Alexandra Ackert-Smith

Alexandra Ackert-Smith

Give Committee Co-Chair

Member Engagement Associate
Capital Public Radio
Alex works in fundraising and development for Sacramento’s NPR station, CapRadio. In addition to honing the station's new member acquisition strategy, she enjoys exploring ways to enhance public radio membership offerings via digital platforms and experiential benefits. Alex has a knack for dismantling the blind spots that impede organizational…
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Felicia Reyes

Felicia Reyes

Develop Committee Chair

Design Professional
Architectural Nexus
I’m a Sacramento native, with strong roots in the region. I spent 5 years in Savannah, Georgia where I graduated with a Bachelors in Fine Arts and a Master of Architecture from Savannah College of Art and Design. As a Design Professional at Architectural Nexus, it is my…
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Alexa Dimengo

Alexa Dimengo

Develop Committee Co-Chair

Learning and Development Speciailst
Tesco Controls, Inc.
Alexa is passionate about helping others grow, she enjoys training and developing others to reach their full potential. She moved to Sacramento a year and a half ago from Nashville, TN and you can find her exploring the city and local events, attending workout classes, camping, hiking, or…
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Mariana Corona Sabeniano

Mariana Corona Sabeniano

Empower Committee Chair

Chief of Staff
California State Assembly
I grew up in a small town, Arbuckle, California. I earned my BA from Sacramento State and a Masters of Science in Law from McGeorge School of Law. I currently live in Natomas with my husband and our dogs.
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Giuliano Kornberg

Giuliano Kornberg

Empower Committee Co-Chair

Chief Development Officer
Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera
Giuliano Kornberg is the current Chief Development Officer for the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera, where he works with the Board of Directors and Executive Staff to create and implement the fundraising strategy of the organization. Giuliano helps oversee major donor cultivation and stewardship, coordinates direct mail, tele-funding, and…
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Kara Johnson

Kara Johnson

Sponsorship Committee Chair

Community Engagement Coordinator
SAFE Credit Union
As a Southern California transplant, Kara Johnson has enjoyed using her role as a Community Engagement Coordinator with SAFE Credit Union to form relationships within Sacramento. Actively seeking out new opportunities to interact with nonprofits and volunteer organizations, she has been an active EDGE member since moving to…
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Tashina Brito

Tashina Brito

EMERGE Summit Chair

Community Relations Manager
Capital Public Radio
A first-generation Sacramentan, Tashina previously served as the Marketing and Events Manager at the Sacramento Midtown Business Association (MBA). Charged with promoting programs to enhance the economic and cultural well-being of Midtown, she coordinated with businesses to leverage citywide marketing campaigns and co-managed the founding of the Midtown…
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Joaquin Razo

Joaquin Razo

EMERGE Summit Co-chair

Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer
St. Helena Chamber of Commerce
Joaquin serves as the Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer for the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce in the Napa Valley. Working with a dynamic team, the St. Helena Chamber - a not for profit, serves over 300 member-businesses ranging from large international winery brands to small local…
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James Richie

James Richie

Ambassador Chair

Senior Credit & Debit Card Product Manager
SAFE Credit Union
James recently moved to Folsom from Davis and started working with SAFE Credit Union. Among his work in the community, he served with the Woodland and Davis Chambers of Commerce, started two nonprofit organizations, and delivered financial education workshops to local schools. In his free time, James is…
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Anna Fontus

Anna Fontus

Community Engagement Liaison

Policy Manager
Capitol Impact
Anna joined Metro EDGE in 2015 because she was seeking a place to connect with the amazing organizations, movements, and most importantly, community that Sacramento has to offer.  After 4 years of leading policy initiatives for a coalition of educators, researchers, employers and community organizations, she realized the…
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