Executive Insight Program
Wednesday, June 26, 2024 - 5:30 to 8:00 pm
Cafeteria 15L
116 15th Street Sacramento, CA 95814
Welcome to Executive Insight! This event provides young professionals with the unique opportunity to get facetime with local leaders, ask questions, and walk away with tangible advice to help you excel in your career. Whether you're seeking guidance on navigating the corporate ladder, entrepreneurial advice, or industry-specific insights, our speakers have the expertise to guide you towards success.
There will be 10 tables arranged around the space for speakers to occupy for the duration of the event. Young professionals will migrate from table to table to have small group sessions with the speakers for 5 rounds of 12 minutes to share career advice, professional development tips and answer questions.
Meet the Speakers
Amber Lovett- Chief Resource Development & Marketing Director, United Way
An employee with United Way California Capital Region (UWCCR) for more than 23 years, Amber Lovett currently serves as the organization’s Chief Resource Development & Marketing Officer to help kids excel in school, invest in families and strengthen schools so that all can thrive in the Capital Region.
Amber’s oversight of the fundraising team has resulted in more than $7 million in annual revenue and in the past year, she was instrumental in launching a bold goal to raise $3 million by 2025 to help 10,000 local children excel in school as part of the organization’s 100th Anniversary celebrated in April 2024. Under Amber’s leadership, funding raised has already expanded program participation to more than 2,300 children within the key education programs offered by UWCCR.
A proud Sac State alum, Amber has spent her career dedicated to community impact and her strategic leadership have made her an invaluable asset not only to UWCCR, but to the Greater Sacramento region. Recently, Amber was recognized by the Sacramento Business Journal as a C-Suite Award winner. Amber lives in the Sacramento area with her husband Dustin and two daughters Paige and Grace.
Anne Descalzo- Co-Founder, Clutch
Anne Descalzo is co-founder and owner of Clutch, an award-winning women-owned culture focused business management consulting services company. She is also co-founder of the Rancho Cordova coworking and event space called Frequency Coworking and Events and fund partner of MinervaVerse, an inclusive startup community that seeks to elevate under-invested founders with funding, resources, and connections they need to successfully grow a business. Her recent leadership accolades include 2024 Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Business, 2024 Women Who Mean Business by the Sacramento Business Journal, 2023 #1 Fastest Growing Business by the Sacramento Business Journal, 2023 Enterprising Woman of the Year by Enterprising Women Magazine, and with her cofounder, Rachel Zillner they were named on the 2023 Entreprenista 100 list and 2023 Entrepreneurs of the Year by Folsom Chamber of Commerce. Anne serves her community as a board member of the California Chamber of Commerce and the Folsom Tourism and Economic Development Corporation and is the past Program Chair of Metro Edge (2019).
Chief Kathy Lester- Chief of Police, Sacramento Police Department
Chief Kathy Lester joined the Sacramento Police Department in 1994 as a dispatcher, became a community service officer in 1995, and a sworn police officer in 1996. She has worked Patrol, Traffic, Recruiting, Internal Affairs, Criminal Intelligence, as an Executive Lieutenant, and oversaw police services for the Sacramento City Unified School District. She has led the Contracts Services Division, Personnel and Fiscal Division, the Downtown Patrol Command, and the Division of Outreach and Engagement. As a Deputy Chief, she has also led the Office of Specialized Services and the Office of Operations.
Kathy enlisted in the Army at 17. She attended the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA where she became fluent in Russian, and served as a military interpreter, combat medic and range master. She has received multiple awards and recognitions including the Army Lifesaving Medal and a Unit Citation for her contributions to support the opening of the Golden One Center.
Kathy has been an instructor in Crowd Control, First Aid, Community Relations, Gender Awareness, and Implicit Bias. She is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisor Leadership Institute, the Senior Management Institute for Police, the POST Management Course, the Advanced POST Instructor Course and the Police Executive Leadership Institute. She is also adjunct faculty for the Los Rios Community College District.
Kathy earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at CSU, Sacramento in Government and International Relations and a Master of Science Degree from Mississippi State University in Geosciences. She has been a Cub Scout leader and served as a volunteer for SacPAL, the Buddy Werner Youth Ski League and serves on the board of the Sacramento Police Foundation.
As the 46th Chief of Police for the City of Sacramento, she launched a Violent Crime Reduction Strategy which led to a reduction of 30% fewer shooting victims in the first year, incorporated the Office of Violence Prevention into the Police Department which funds and supports numerous Community Based Organizations, and adopted innovative strategies such as the “Gun Buy Back” event which resulted in the forfeiture of over 400 firearms. As a Bureau of Justice Assistance Public Safety Partnership grantee, SPD is currently focusing on new technology, improved crime analysis, and best practices to address the root causes of violent crime. Additional initiatives include improved service delivery through employee customer service training, community-based surveys and feedback, robust transparency efforts to share data and metrics, collaborative approaches to addressing homelessness, and internal employee development and engagement.
She also serves on the Metro Chamber of Commerce Cap to Cap Public Safety Committee, as the co-chair of the Major Cities Chiefs Association Legislative Committee, as a board member for the Salvation Army and as a board member for the Sacramento Family Justice Center.
Kathy joined SPD because of its reputation for community-based policing. She is proud to serve the great people of the Sacramento community. She is married with three children and loves to cook, garden, and fly fish.
Karen Carmazzi- Owner, Carmazzi Caramel Corn
Karen Carmazzi moved to Sacramento for college where she attended S.C.C. and then transferred to Sac State. She was an All-American softball player and graduated with a Business Degree. Karen has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and even when raising three kids, she started two of her own businesses. Celebrations Etc, where she invented the Wedding Wheel and then, Let It Go USA, which sold branded apparel and merchandise. She then worked in sales for 20 years before starting the business with her son.
Carmazzi Caramel Corn started with a Food Cottage license right out of her home kitchen. From 2018-2023 all the caramel corn operations were out of her house. She won the Sac Republic’s 2021 Kickstarter program for woman-owned small businesses, which helped propel the business towards their first location. She and her son opened the shop in 2023 in the Arden Town Center near the Fair Oaks and Watt. Karen and the team then went on to make the Top 4 of the “Coolest Thing Made in CA” competition put on by the CMTA.
Karen strives to provide the best possible customer service and believes that every customer is a critical part of your team. She also incorporated her vision by ensuring the facility will always be peanut and tree nut free to help those with severe allergies. “We promise to always use quality ingredients that are soy, peanut and tree nut, gluten, and high fructose free.”
Paul Carmazzi Jr.- Owner, Carmazzi Caramel Corn
Paul Carmazzi Jr. was born and raised in Sacramento. In 2014, he got his Agricultural Business degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and has been in the food industry since. From corporate agribusiness to mom-and-pop restaurants, Paul has worked and managed a wide array of food businesses. He has grown to have an expansive knowledge of food systems in which he specializes in production, operations, and safety.
In December of 2018, Paul and his mom teamed up to start Carmazzi Caramel Corn. They opened their first location in July 2023, where all the caramel corn is manufactured and distributed. The popcorn is sold in over 75 locations from Lake Tahoe, Santa Cruz, the Bay Area, and all greater Sacramento. Noticeably, Carmazzi Caramel Corn can be found in all the Nugget Markets and Sacramento International Airport.
Paul has a passion for the Farm to Fork movement and strives to use real ingredients that are locally sourced. He focuses on developing a business that can provide fun, prosperous, career opportunities. He hopes to grow to be a leader in the Sacramento region and have Carmazzi Caramel Corn become a local staple.
Ernesto Delgado- Restaurateur
As long as I can remember, I wanted to be a Restaurateur. My name is Sr. Ernesto Delgado. I’m the creator and founder of Tequila Museo Mayahuel and La Cosecha Sacramento, both in Downtown Sacramento and Mesa Mercado in Carmichael. I also own Sal’s Tacos in West Sacramento, and recently opened Octopus Peru in Downtown Sacramento and Octopus Baja in Midtown. My newest restaurant, Oaxaca, in Oak Park, will open soon.
My love of design and the art of my culture is nearly as powerful as my passion for food. After completing my design degree at CSU Sacramento, my journey began. My first attempt at opening my own restaurant was unsuccessful. Failure made me more determined – even obsessed – with the desire to create my dreams.
I sincerely believe that every roadblock in business brings an opportunity for success, and through my mistakes I realized the depth of my own determination. I believe that integrity and character matter – and that who we are is the legacy we create.
For an entrepreneur, continued learning is essential. In 2017, I completed the Small Business Association’s ‘Emerging Leaders’ program; an intensive seven-month program designed to help entrepreneurs grow as leaders. In the fall of 2018, I attended the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa – a challenging two years commuting from Sacramento to Napa while still operating my restaurants. In 2021, I attended the UCLA School of Business Price Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation after receiving a scholarship, and in 2022 I completed the Stanford University Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative Business Scaling Program.
I’ve served as Vice President and board member of the California Restaurant Association and am a board member of the West Sacramento Chamber of Commerce.
My current passion is to bring a sense of community to Cesar Chavez Plaza through a series of family-friendly events that encourage visitors as well as residents to enjoy the beautiful heart of Downtown Sacramento. Our plaza can be a shining example of progressive change; a place for people to meet and spend the day – much like the beautiful Plazas in Mexico. Through events such as free movie nights, fitness days, festivals, night markets and more, they can learn about my beautiful culture through art, music, dance, and food. This revitalization, still in progress, will encourage other business owners to lease property near the Plaza, bringing an increase in revenue to the area through tourism and local attractions.
The future is bright and exciting – and with the help of so many others, I embrace the challenges as well as the opportunities!
Kenneth Johnson- CEO, KJ2 Productions
Kenneth Johnston, CEO of KJ 2 Productions, is an accomplished writer, director, and producer with a background in television and film production. Armed with a BA from Xavier University and an MFA from Chapman University, Kenneth's journey in the industry spans over fifteen years, during which he has propelled KJ 2Productions to become one of the leading media production companies in the region.
Kenneth's dedication to his craft has taken him to more than eighty-five countries across six continents, where he has covered an array of projects. While his focus lies in producing educational documentaries, his overarching vision is to create content that instills positivity and optimism about the world we inhabit. This drive has led him to write and produce several award winning speculative projects.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Kenneth is deeply committed to serving as a positive influence in his community. He holds board positions in various organizations, including Cap Public Radio,City Year Sacramento, and The Cameron Champ Foundation,among others. Additionally, he has been recognized for his philanthropic efforts, receiving California Senate and Assembly Resolutions for his company's work in West Africa and Haiti. Furthermore, KJ 2 Productions was honored as the SacramentoBlack Chamber’s Small Business of the Year in 2021, and was acknowledged as one of Sacramento Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs of The Year in 2022.In his leisure time, Kenneth indulges in golf, pickle-ball, and traveling. He is also member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the 100 Black Men of Sacramento.
Lisa Wrightsman-Managing Director, Sacramento Chapter of Street Soccer USA
Lisa earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with a concentration in Digital Video from California State University, Sacramento. She was a member of the University's NCAA Division I Women's Soccer team and currently holds multiple program records as well as recognition as a member of the All-Decade team. Today her passion for soccer is seen in her social entrepreneurship initiatives with Street Soccer USA; a nationwide non-profit that uses soccer to break the cycle of homelessness and domestic abuse.
In 2010, Lisa established the Sacramento Chapter of Street Soccer USA and has since grown and developed it to the largest chapter in the country. In 2020 she led the funding efforts and build of a new Street Soccer USA Park in the broadway district. Most recently, Lisa and her Street Soccer USA team is responsible for Sacramento being the City awarded to host the Homeless World Cup 2023 in Sacramento and at Sacramento State.
This month Leadership Sacramento has chosen SSUSA as the non-profit to dedicate their class project to, and will be working to build a new SSUSA Park on the campus of Capital College and Career Academy.
Lisa and the SSUSA team were also in and a part of the inspiration for the new film released on Netflix called The Beautiful Game, which is inspired by the Homeless World Cup.
Lydia Ramirez- Senior Vice President, Chief Operations Officer and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Five Star Bank
Lydia Ramirez is the Senior Vice President, Chief Operations Officer and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer of Five Star Bank. Lydia brings over 18 years of experience in senior level banking. She is well-versed in strategic operational process and sales management with an emphasis on customer experience. Lydia is responsible for Branch Administration, Central Operations, Treasury Operations, Wire Operations, Client and Diversity Experience. Prior to this, Lydia was Vice President, Multi-Branch Manager, for MUFG Union Bank. As a branch manager, Lydia provided leadership towards the achievement of growth and profitability that were in line with the company vision and values.
In 2020, she was recognized among the Sacramento Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. She was recognized by Comstock’s Magazine among their Women in Leadership 2021 cohort. In 2022, she was recognized among the Sacramento Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business. In 2023, named among the inaugural Latino Change Makers cohort by the Sacramento Bee. In addition, she was recognized by the National Association of Women Business Owners, Sacramento Valley Chapter, with the 2024 Executive Woman award. She is a graduate of Leadership Sacramento, class of 2021. Lastly, Lydia is a senior fellow with the American Leadership Forum, Mountain Valley chapter, class XXVI.
Lydia graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. She graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a Master of Business Administration. She is also a proud graduate of CBA Executive Banking School at Furman University. Lydia has engaged the community as a Board member of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce, and the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. Lydia also acts in an advisory role to the College of Business at Sacramento State University the College of Business at Sacramento State University and to Creciente (formally Nueva Epoca), a Latinx leadership program.
A native to San Jose, CA, Lydia moved to the Sacramento area in 1998. She now lives in North Natomas with her two sons, Jordan and Cristian.
Maren Conrad- CEO, The Jaquelyn
Maren Conrad is the visionary leader and the driving force of The Jacquelyn, a Social Benefit Private Social Club in Sacramento, CA. She has been instrumental in shaping the club’s identity and mission. Conrad is an accomplished artist, forward thinker, and community builder and is focused on delivering an innovative social club atmosphere where members can become the best version of themselves. She is dedicated to using her passion for art as a vehicle to create spaces for expression, creativity, joy, and value. The Jacquelyn pays homage to a longtime friend of Maren’s and more importantly brings people together for social connection during a time when it’s needed more than ever. Maren is an accomplished muralist and artist. Her larger-than-life canvases of steel, brick, and stucco become the destinations that define a city. Her murals become the place where toddlers go to wish, where dandies go to peacock, and where cars appear toy-sized against the background of giants. Each work may be a part of a developer’s project, or painted on a wall that someone has purchased, yet they are owned by no single person, not even their creator.
Shirley Kwan Smith- Principal, SKS Consulting and VP Enterprise Communications, Golden 1
With nearly 25 years in marketing, communications, community affairs, and business operations, Shirley has contributed as an employee and as a small business owner to the success of non-profits, private-sector organizations, and government agencies large and small. She joined Golden 1 Credit Union in 2021 and has since built an enterprise communications team that connects employees to purpose, engages them in the achievement of the Credit Union’s goals, and generates excitement for the social and community impact they make for the members and the communities they serve.
Though born in another country, Shirley is deeply rooted in Sacramento and lovingly describes this city as the town that raised her. A local fangirl through and through, she is committed to giving back – volunteering with many organizations in the region including KVIE Public Television, River City Food Bank, and the Sacramento Metro Chamber for which she will be serving as Chair of the 2025 Study Mission program. Fun fact: she was a founding staff member of Metro EDGE and managed the Leadership Sacramento program when she served as the Director of Community Development for the Metro Chamber. She will tell you that being asked to be a guest for a Metro EDGE program feels like a full circle moment, and she is honored to join us for Executive Insight.
Questions to ask Executives:
- Are there any skills or experiences that have been instrumental in your career?
- What is one decision you wish you didn’t make in your career? Why?
- What does great leadership look like to you? What are some of the attributes a great leader needs today?
- What is one thing you are proud of in your career? Why?
- What’s the most important risk you took and why?
- How do you continue to grow and develop as a leader?
- How do you ensure work-life balance?
- Who do you look up to for inspiration and mentorship?
- What role do you believe mentorship plays in leadership development?
Make sure to bring business cards and to mingle with folks before and after the program!
