Isa Avanceña Manager of Research and Policy

Isa joined Valley Vision in 2019. She serves as Manager of Research and Policy supporting the Board of Directors; the Innovation & Infrastructure and Leadership & Civic Engagement impact areas; as well as Valley Vision’s research and policy work. Prior to joining Valley Vision, she earned her Juris Doctor degree in the Philippines, where she […]

Caitlin Blockus Project Manager

Caitlin Blockus began her career at Valley Vision in 2021 as a Project Associate in the Workforce Development Impact Area. She soon worked her way up to a Project Manager position and serves as Coalition Manager for the Capital Region Coalition for Digital Inclusion (CRCDI). Caitlin’s passion for digital inclusion was sparked by her previous […]

Yzabelle Dela Cruz Project Manager

Yzabelle joined Valley Vision in 2022 as a Project Manager, supporting the 21st Century Workforce Impact Area. She previously worked as a Project Associate from 2018-2020 supporting Public Opinion Polling, Broadband & Digital Equity, and 21st Century Workforce initiatives. Professional Experience Over the past five years, Yzabelle has worked in the nonprofit sector coordinating food […]

Navreet Hundal Project Associate

Navreet joined Valley Vision in July 2022 as a Project Associate supporting the Innovation and Infrastructure and Healthy Communities impact areas. Raised in California’s Central Valley, Navreet’s firsthand experiences taught her the importance of centering community voices in regional decision making, in order to create equitable change. Professional Experience With a broad academic focus, Navreet’s […]

Renee John Director of Workforce Development

Renee joined Valley Vision in March of 2020 to support efforts in the 21st Century Workforce Impact Area. Prior to Valley Vision, Renee led workforce development projects for ten years as a director with a community based nonprofit. Her work has included Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act projects, administering community block grants, youth employment, refugee […]

Brittnii Johnson Executive Associate

Brittnii joined Valley Vision in June of 2021 as an Executive Associate supporting the CEO, Evan Schmidt and office staff administratively.  Professional Experience Brittnii comes with a diverse set of skills and experience.  Her first career was in early childhood education working with children in a preschool setting. She has also assisted prospective college students […]

Grace Kaufman Project Manager

Grace started as Project Manager at Valley Vision in 2020. She works in the Food and Ag and Clean Economy impact areas by managing the Yolo Food Hub project, the Coordinated Rural Opportunities Program, and the Zero Emission Hydrogen Locomotive Project. At Valley Vision, Grace has supported the 2021 Sacramento Region Food System Action Plan, […]

Trish Kelly Managing Director

Trish joined Valley Vision in 2014 as managing director after several years as a consultant to the organization. She oversees Valley Vision’s food and ag economy, 21st century workforce, and broadband strategies.  Professional Experience Trish’s vast regional and statewide networks greatly contribute to the growth and vitality of the region. An effective grant writer, Trish helped […]

Priya Kumar Communications Manager

Priya joined Valley Vision in 2022 as the Communications Project Manager, supporting the Listos California Emergency Preparedness Campaign as well as Valley Vision’s communication efforts.  Professional Experience Priya started her nonprofit career at the Sacramento Children’s Museum in 2014 where she began her journey in learning nonprofit communications and marketing. Since then, she’s worked at […]

Alan Lange Managing Director

I want the Sacramento region to be a place of proactive planning. Let’s address the upstream challenges so that we don’t spend the next several decades living with the consequences.

Kari MacDonald Senior Director of Business Operations

Kari started at Valley Vision in 2020. She manages the business and finance operations of the organization, including ensuring organizational productivity and efficiency, implementing strategies, and optimizing organizational performance. Professional Experience Before joining Valley Vision, Kari worked in nonprofit, for-profit and governmental organizations, which exposed her to multiple perspectives and approaches to community issues. She […]

Angelina Olweny Project Associate

Angelina joined Valley Vision in 2021 as a Project Associate in the 21st Century Workforce Impact Area. She previously served as an AmeriCorps VISTA in the Sacramento Promise Zone, a Federal place-based initiative that seeks to address inequities in the most distressed areas in urban and rural areas across the nation. Professional Experience Angelina promoted […]