Name: Gina McLaughlin

Employer/position: Content Specialist at VSP Global

Role on the committee: Communications Lead

What’s your relationship to Metro EDGE/Emerge Summit? I’ve been an active member of Metro EDGE since June 2018. In addition to serving on the Emerge committee, I also serve on the Metro EDGE Communications committee as the Blog Channel Owner.

What do you love about Sacramento? Too many things to count! But if I have to narrow it down, I’d say the restaurant scene. So many amazing restaurants and bars have opened in Sacramento over the years, and we even have cool events like the Farm-to-Fork Festival and the Tower Bridge Dinner. Sacramento has become a foodie’s paradise!

Why would you recommend the Emerge Summit? I attended my first Emerge Summit in 2018 and it changed my professional life for the better. I will never forget how inspired I felt by some of the keynote speakers and breakout session leads. Emerge Summit lit a fire under me that is still burning strong today. I’m so excited to be part of the planning process for 2019!

How have you made your mark on Sacramento? I participate in a lot of community events and will fundraise for ones with causes that mean a lot to me. I’ve fundraised for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks, as well as the Sacramento SPCA’s Doggy Dash. I love to give back whenever and however I can!

One thing that people would be surprised to know about you? I used to swing dance in college. Yes, I’ve done an aerial!