Melanie Harrison Okoro, PhD, is the Founder, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Principal of Eco-Alpha Environmental and Engineering Services, Inc in Sacramento, California. Dr. Okoro has more than 20 years experience in the natural resource protection, water management and environmental stewardship field. Dr. Okoro’s background and leadership training provide her with an exceptional level of …
Michael B. Scates, MBA-HCM, DPT, has been the Chief Operating Officer since May 2021 for Kaiser Foundation Hospitals/Health Plan in Sacramento where more than 341,177 Kaiser Permanente members are provided local health plan and hospital services at the 287-bed Sacramento Medical Center. Kaiser Permanente insures about one-third of the Greater Sacramento region’s population and has …
Maisha Bahati is the co-founder and CEO of Crystal Nugs, the first black woman-owned licensed cannabis delivery and storefront dispensary retailer in Sacramento, CA. In addition, Crystal Nugs holds the state license for cannabis event organizer. Maisha is also a noted fashion designer who is fusing together fashion and cannabis through her new collection, Bougie …
Chris Flores is the Chief of Staff at Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT). In this position he manages the crucial link between external and internal resources by identifying key issues and concerns and facilitates the development and implementation of key project objectives. Chris also provides oversight and direction to SacRT’s Government Affairs Department. Prior to …
As the Senior Director of Institutional Culture, Climate & Community Engagement, Mr. Dennis is responsible for leading the efforts that will continue to transition UC Davis Health into becoming a fully inclusive and multicultural organization that values and actualizes health equity, diversity, and inclusion, and integrates the Principles of Community across our tri-part mission. Mr. Dennis …
Dr. Davin E. Brown is the Vice President of Student Services at Sacramento City College. She has 20 years of higher education experience and has served in the role of VPSS since July 2019. An unapologetic equity minded leader dedicated to serving historically underrepresented student communities, Dr. Brown has successfully developed and implemented high touch …
Rod Brewer is a Government Relations Advisor in State Public Affairs for Southern California Edison (SCE), where he serves as an in-house lobbyist and supports the State Legislative Affairs team in the development and conveyance of SCE’s external relations, constituent affairs, and business priorities before the State Legislature, the Administration, and related external stakeholders. Prior …
Dr. Adrienne S. Lawson is an academic administrator and educator with more than 30 years of experience. She joined PRIDE Industries in October 2020 as Director for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion; and oversees AA/EEO Compliance. She also is a part-time faculty member at Sacramento State where she is an advisory board member for the Education doctorate …
Johnnise Foster-Downs joins the Board with a broad background in Political and Government Affairs. With over 20 years of Political and Government Affairs experience, Johnnise has held positions in both the public and private sectors. Johnnise currently handles Government Relations for PG&E’s Sacramento-Sierra Division, covering Sacramento, Sutter, and Yuba Counties, and the cities of Davis …
Ms. Ramirez serves as our Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer and Chief DE&I Officer, positions she has held since February 2021. Ms. Ramirez previously served as our Senior Vice President and Director of Operations from 2018 to 2021 and our Senior Vice President and Director of Branch Administration from 2017 to 2018. Ms. …
Brandy Bolden’s career experience spans over 25 years of operational leadership in both the public and private sectors and across the financial, semiconductor, consumer goods and utility industries. She’s currently the Chief Customer Officer at SMUD, the nation’s sixth largest publicly owned utility. Brandy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, …
Chris Thomas is evening anchor at ABC10. You can catch him weeknights at 5p.m., 6 p.m. and at 11 on Late News Tonight. He is an Emmy award-winning journalist who reported from Washington, DC for the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington. He chronicled the unrest in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray …
