Clay Nutting Owner & Operator Canon Restaurant

“My vision is for Sacramento to be a community that supports independent businesses, local artists, and entrepreneurs through policy, intention, and resources.”

Jeff Dorso Senior Vice President & General Counsel Sacramento Kings

Jeff’s leadership in shaping development in Sacramento as well as his action-oriented mindset will help push Valley Vision towards effective and responsive action that supports the prosperity of our region.

Brittnii Johnson Operations & Office Coordinator

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 […]

Gina Lujan Armstrong CEO aka The Hunter & Gatherer Hacker Lab

“Valley Vision is not afraid of being uncomfortable. To create change, we need to have uncomfortable conversations to find the truth and be equitable.”

Erica Taylor Vice President, Communications and Community Relations Golden 1 Credit Union

Erica Taylor is an active civic leader supporting a wide array of community improvement initiatives across the region, her Board role supports Valley Vision’s leadership to advance prosperity, equity, and sustainability.

Gary May Chancellor University of California, Davis

“I see the Sacramento region becoming a role model for the nation, where higher education can help lead the way in generating innovation and job creation in our industries and diverse communities.”

Brian King Chancellor Los Rios Community College District

Brian King serves as Valley Vision’s 2021 board chair and has been a consummate champion for educational attainment, skills development and workforce preparation across the Sacramento region.

Chet Hewitt President & CEO Sierra Health Foundation

Chet Hewitt has been a long-standing Valley Vision board member whose career focus on health disparities, health equity, and the healthy development and well-being of vulnerable youth has inspired much of Valley Vision’s work around regional health needs assessments and equity strategies.

Linda Cutler Founder LBC Strategy, LLC

Linda Cutler serves as an Executive Committee member and actively connects philanthropic giving with concrete strategies to improve the well-being of those in our region.

Grace Kaufman Senior Project Manager

Grace joined Valley Vision in 2020. She works in the Food and Agriculture and Clean Economy impact areas by managing the Yolo Food Hub project, the Coordinated Rural Opportunities Plan (CROP), the USDA Southwest Regional Food Business Center, and the Zero Emission Hydrogen Locomotive Project. At Valley Vision, Grace has supported the 2021 Sacramento Region […]

Renee John Managing Director

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 […]

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 […]