Name: Janette Cruz

Employer/position: Sr. Enterprise Performance Coordinator, SMUD

Role on the committee: Emerge Summit Chair

Janette Cruz is Senior Enterprise Performance Coordinator for SMUD. In her current role, she and her team manage how enterprise metrics and project performance are presented to Board and Executive Leadership. She brings structure to chaos, enabling candid and collaborative engagement; and is excited to manage Emerge Committee logistics.

Read more

Employer/position: Project Manager Assistant, Clutch

Role on the committee: Co-Chair

Ashleigh worked in the non-profit industry providing quality leadership and social and emotional (SEL) training for youth in grades 7th – 12th before joining the fantastic team at Clutch – a client-centric certified women-owned small business focusing on connecting organizations to the resources they dream about! Ashleigh has experience in event management, volunteer recruitment & training, curriculum & team building, project management, leadership & SEL training, and mental health education. She graduated from California State University, Sacramento, in 2022 with a BA in Communications and a Minor in LGBTQ Studies. Shortly after graduation, Ashleigh began graduate school at Smith College in Northampton, MA studying Clinical Social Work. She is passionate about advocacy, social welfare policy, social justice, and eradicating racism one system at a time. 

Name: Madison Burton

Employer/Position: Administrative Assistant, California State Association of Counties

Role on the committee: Logistics Lead

Madison recently joined the California State Association of Counties as an Administrative Assistant and works closely with the Executive Team on administrative, meeting planning, and fiscal needs of the organization. Before becoming a part of CSAC, she worked at the California Restaurant Association as the Legislative Coordinator and was responsible for planning their Lobby Day, which allowed members to speak with their elected officials. She is a Sacramento native who loves exploring all that the Sacramento-Metro area has to offer. Madison is excited to join Metro EDGE and help build an amazing event that will embolden others to take charge of their futures.

Name: Amanda Sanchez

Employer/position: Executive Director, Capitol Creative Alliance

Role on the committee: Website Lead

Amanda Sanchez is the Executive Director of Capitol Creative Alliance, a local nonprofit that is committed to making our creative community more inclusive, equitable and supportive for all. She served as the Experience Lead for the Emerge Summit last year and is excited to return as the Communications Lead for the 2021 event!

Read more

Name: Ren Kaur

Employer/position: Project Manager for Support Services Administration, Kaiser Permanente

Role on the committee: Ticket Sales

Ren is a Project Manager with Kaiser Permanente. She has extensive experience and proven ability to develop and successfully implement clear and effective communication strategies and tactics in the Support Services Administration Department. She is looking forward to reuniting with the Metro EDGE and building her network with like-minded individuals.

Read More

Name: Kristi Maryman

Employer/position: Senior Manager, Corporate Relations & Events at Sacramento SPCA

Role on the committee: Experience Lead

Kristi is a seasoned strategic partnership development and fundraising professional with a passion for helping animals and their people in her current role as the Senior Manager of Corporate Relations and Events for the Sacramento SPCA. She has experience in developing and executing special events to raise revenue for charitable organizations as well as conference and meeting planning for a multitude of public health sectors. Kristi holds a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and a Nutrition and Foods degree from California State University, Sacramento. Kristi joined MetroEdge to become more connected to Sacramento young professionals and this is her first year on the Emerge Summit planning team.

Name: Jenny Mensch

Employer/Position: Community Programs Manager, Safety Center

Role on Committee: Scholarships & Give

Jenny Mensch is the Community Programs Manager for Safety Center. Her team uses outreach, school-based programs, and the unique miniature city, Safetyville USA, to train and empower Safety Superheroes of all ages who can evaluate risk and take action to make our community a safer place. Jenny is excited to join the Emerge Committee to expand our scholarship program and help other young professionals gain access to the personal and professional benefits the Emerge Summit can provide.

Name: Kelly Brown

Employer/Position: Sr. Financial Analyst, Intel

Role on Committee: Partnerships Lead

Kelly is a Sacramento native who is passionate about the region. She earned both of her degrees from UC Davis (go Aggies!) and has a track record of success at large corporate, small start-up, and local not-for-profit companies. Kelly’s passion is acting as a catalyst for change and improvement. She has been a member of Metro Edge since 2017 and previously served 2 terms as Chair of the Give Committee (’20 and ’21). She is also on the Leadership Council for Inspire Giving (’21 and ’22). Kelly is excited about supporting the Emerge Summit for 2022 as the Community Partnerships Lead! 

Name: Cali Wies

Employer / Position: Founder, Locker 226

Role on Committee: Breakouts Co-Lead

Calgary is the Breakouts Co-Lead for the 2022 Emerge Summit. Calgary is also the Founder and Executive Director of the charity organization Locker 226, which she started when she was 17. She is experienced in volunteer outreach and coordination, non-profit administration, public relations, fundraising procedures, and project management. Calgary is passionate about supporting her community through her time, talent, and treasure and cares deeply about human connection and philanthropy. She graduated from Front Range Community College in December 2021 and is currently building an event planning business. Calgary joined Metro Edge to expand her professional and social horizons and gain new experiences as an emerging professional, and she feels the 2022 Emerge Summit Committee is the perfect place to start!

Name: Michael Valania

Employer/Position: Self-Employed

Role on Committee: Experience Co-Lead

Michael is a recovering strategy consultant turned entrepreneur. Always dreaming of ways to create the future, his current projects include the low-alcohol, natural wine brand, Wild Rejoice Wine Company, and an e-commerce platform spotlighting the winemakers and artisans of the Sierra Foothills. He has a BBA from Georgia State University, an MPP from the University of Southern California, and trained in the Second City satire writing program, all of which give him credentials to overanalyze everything and make old and/or obscure pop culture references. Michael is supported by his wife, toddler, beagle, and turtle in all adventures, including building the experiences for Emerge 2022 attendees to be inspired to create their own futures.