Christine Ault Consultant

Christine has been a contributor to Valley Vision since 2012. She was the chief manager of Sacramento’s breakthrough Next Economy strategy—the 6-county public-private prosperity agenda designed to shift the region’s economic trajectory out of the 2008 recession. Christine later served as Valley Vision’s strategic communications advisor between 2015-2018, and continues to support us today on special projects. […]

Isa Avanceña Project Associate

Isa joined Valley Vision in 2019. She is a Project Associate 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 also took and […]

Caitlin Blockus Project Associate

Caitlin joined Valley Vision in 2021 as Project Associate, supporting the 21st Century Workforce Impact Area. Professional Experience During her undergraduate career, Caitlin served as an intern in UC Riverside’s Office of Sustainability, working alongside the university to track and improve the usage of green energy. During her senior year of college, Caitlin worked as […]

David Espinoza Project Leader

David joined Valley Vision in 2020 as Project Leader of Innovation & Infrastructure to support efforts of the Connected Capital Area Broadband Consortium (CCABC) to reduce the Digital Divide in the Capital Region and to work collaboratively with partners and internet ecosystem stakeholders in broadband, technology and innovation projects for the benefit of residents, communities, businesses and community […]

Jesse Flores Project Associate

Jesse joined Valley Vision in 2020 as a Project Associate, focusing on the organization’s 21st Century Workforce and Clean Economy impact areas. He helps in advancing various workforce development partnerships, such as the Strong Workforce Program and Future of Work. Simultaneously, Jesse supports the long-standing Cleaner Air Partnership and state-funded Sacramento Neighborhoods Activating on Air […]

Natalie Garcia Project Associate

Natalie joined Valley Vision in April 2021. She is a Project Associate supporting the Innovation & Infrastructure and 21st Century Workforce Impact Areas. Prior to joining Valley Vision, she worked with the San Joaquin Community Data Co-Op working on a variety of data research reports. Assisting with Assembly Bill 109 Recidivism Studies from 2015 to 2020 […]

Renee John Project Leader

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 perspective college students […]

Grace Kaufman Project Manager

Grace started as Project Manager at Valley Vision in 2020. She works in the Clean Economy, Healthy Communities, and Food and Ag impact areas by supporting the Listos California Emergency Preparedness Campaign, Community Air Grant, and We Are Farm to Fork. Professional Experience For over 5 years, Grace has worked in the climate and energy […]

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 […]

Alan Lange Director of Production

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 […]