Jessica Lara Project Manager

Jessica joined Valley Vision in 2022 as a Project Manager, supporting the Listos California Emergency Preparedness campaign. Prior to joining Valley Vision, Jessica worked in early childhood education as an administrator in her hometown of Stockton, California.  Professional Experience Jessica began working in the nonprofit sector as a teenage volunteer supporting local  organizations with outreach, […]

ThienVinh Nguyen Director of Clean Air & Climate Impact Area

ThienVinh (pronounced tin-vin) joined Valley Vision in 2026, as Director of the Clean Air & Climate impact area. ThienVinh is inspired to advance Valley Vision’s mission to improve the quality of life for all in the region by finding collective solutions to equity, economic, and environmental challenges. Growing up as an immigrant in South Sacramento […]

Angelina Olweny Project Coordinator

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 […]

Chloe Pan Project Manager

Chloe joined Valley Vision in 2025 as a Project Manager supporting the organization’s Leadership and Civic Engagement impact area. She manages Valley Vision’s regional public opinion polling work, supports internal impact measurement, and collaborates with partners on implementing regional economic development strategies.   Professional Experience Prior to joining Valley Vision, Chloe spent six years working with […]

Adrian Rehn Director of Communications

Adrian joined Valley Vision in 2014 as an Intern, and has staffed projects across Valley Vision’s diverse impact areas, from broadband to food systems to air quality. Since 2025, he has led strategy and implementation of Valley Vision’s communications activities, including earned media, events, impact tracking, reports, and digital media platforms. Professional Experience Before joining […]

Kathy Saechou Project Manager

Kathy’s ethnicity is Mien-American, and her family’s history is deeply rooted in Northern Laos. She was born and raised here in Oak Park, Sacramento, and her family, background and community are the core reasons why she chose an educational and career path in planning. Community is a very important aspect in Kathy’s life and is […]

Evan Schmidt CEO

Evan Schmidt joined Valley Vision in 2014 and became CEO on July 1, 2020. Evan has a long record of success developing community inspired solutions across Valley Vision’s many initiatives – including leading Valley Vision’s research, such as regional polling and future of work; supporting Valley Vision’s impact areas advancing prosperity, equity, and sustainability; and […]

Laurel Smith Project Coordinator

Laurel joined Valley Vision in August 2022, and serves as Project Coordinator for the Healthy Communities and Clean Air & Climate project portfolios. She has over 7 years of experience working in nonprofit settings dedicated to improving healthy communities in the Sacramento Region. Professional Experience Laurel, a local of the Sacramento region, began her career […]