Women Who Move Sacramento 2023

They’re providing health and wellness, selling real estate, and running restaurants, shops, salons and other lucrative businesses.

Women working in Sacramento are creating all kinds of opportunities for themselves and others.

We’re pleased to present this special section showcasing successful female professionals in a variety of fields. Meet some of the women who move our community.

Kellie DeMarco spent 20 years in broadcast journalism, nearly half of that time as the 3-time Emmy award-winning news anchor at KCRA 3, before launching her own business, Kellie DeMarco Communications in January 2020. DeMarco now helps businesses and non-profits with all of their media needs—on-camera training, media placement, video production, social media, makeup and image consulting.

“My time on television really prepared me for this chapter in my life. It takes much more than a press release to get attention in today’s world. My clients need someone who knows how to navigate the media landscape and get their stories told more effectively. It’s been a dream come true to help them grow.”

You’ll also find DeMarco on stage emceeing events, filling in on KFBK News Radio, and hosting local and national TV shows. “Kellie brings a level of professionalism, class, and fun to our show and we’ve seen incredible results, “ says Dan Ahmad, President of Peak Financial Freedom Group. “She has a way of connecting with us and our audience that is unmatched.”

DeMarco is now offering courses, group programs and one-on-one training to help you look, sound, and feel your best in front of an audience. From companies like Five Star Bank and New York Life to non-profits like Saint John’s, Girl Scouts, and St. Vincent de Paul, Kellie is grateful to work with people who are truly making a difference in our community.

Jennifer Shaw is the founder of Shaw Law Group, PC and a 2019 recipient of the Sacramento Business Journal’s “Women Who Mean Business” award. Employers throughout the country rely on Jennifer and her team for their workplace law needs.

A well-respected expert in employment law for almost 30 years, Jennifer advises leaders on a broad range of employment law issues. Jennifer’s practical guidance covers subjects such as wage-hour compliance, anti-discrimination and harassment policies and procedures, reasonable accommodation/leave of absence issues, and hiring/separation processes. She is a trusted advisor to in-house counsel, HR professionals, and leadership across a broad spectrum of public sector and private sector employers.

Jennifer also has considerable expertise conducting neutral investigations. Other attorneys and employers frequently engage her to assist with challenging and high-profile matters. Jennifer also teaches HR professionals how to conduct effective investigations.

Widely recognized for developing and conducting innovative, effective training for executives, management and non-supervisory employees, Jennifer uses case studies, audience participation, and storytelling to bring employment law to life. Through private, on-site sessions, open public sessions, and webinars, she trains thousands of people each year. She also trains and coaches senior executives on an individual basis.

Jennifer is a regular contributor to the Daily Recorder and other publications, is often quoted in print media, and appears frequently on radio and television as a subject matter expert. Her weekly podcast, “Workplace Wake-Up,” is a “must do” for hundreds of employers.

An active member of the Society for Human Resource Management and the Legal and Legislative Group of the Sacramento Area Human Resources Association, Jennifer often delivers keynote addresses at their conferences.

Jennifer is the founder of 100+ Women Who Care Sacramento Valley, a local giving circle, and active in many legal pro bono activities.

Jennifer Shaw

Founder Shaw Law Group, PC

425 University Avenue, Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95825 (916) 640-2240 • (916) 640-2241 (Fax) shawlawgroup.com

Problems with heartburn, indigestion, and swallowing can greatly affect our daily quality of life. Dr. Lisa Brown is a general thoracic surgeon—and Sacramento Magazine Top Doc—who specializes in treating these complex problems when caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), diaphragm hernias, achalasia, and other non-cancerous diseases of the esophagus. Her expertise allows for a minimally invasive surgical approach and an in-depth understanding of the disease processes from diagnosis to surgical repair. She also has a master of advanced study degree in clinical research, and closely studies data from UC Davis and hospitals nationwide to help improve pain management and the overall surgery patient experience. Dr. Brown is highly rated by patients for her thorough listening, informative explanations, and her caring, reassuring manner.

Lisa M. Brown, M.D., M.A.S., FACS

Associate Professor, General Thoracic Surgery

UC Davis Health General Thoracic Surgery

Info: (916) 734-5994

Appointments: (916) 734-5959 health.ucdavis.edu/surgery/specialties/ thoracic

Since 2003, Spine & Nerve Diagnostic Center has been providing care to the Sacramento community and beyond. Dr. Ethelynda Tolentino, a team member since 2007, is double board certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and in Pain Medicine. She is a Physiatrist with experience in Pain Management and Musculoskeletal Disorders. Dr. Natalya Shtutman, who joined the team in 2015, is a Physiatrist who is Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She has extensive experience in Pain Management and Musculoskeletal Disorders. The most recent female doctor to join our team is Dr. Julie Hastings who joined in 2021. Dr. Hastings is board-certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician with a special interest in Interventional Spine.

Please visit our website at www.spinenerve. com to learn more about our practice

Spine & Nerve Diagnostic Center

Elk Grove: (916) 478-0112

Folsom: (916) 306-1112

Roseville (916) 772-5325

Sacramento: (916) 419-9900

Granite Bay: (916) 461-9004 spinenerve.com

The women faculty physicians of UC Davis Health’s Department of Emergency Medicine play a uniquely central role in helping UC Davis Health to deliver and advance lifesaving care across our region and a major portion of California.

Women make up more than 40 percent of the emergency department faculty at UC Davis Health, versus 27 percent nationwide. And their medical and leadership skills help UC Davis to provide state-of-the-art emergency departments, the only level I trauma center for both

adult and pediatric emergencies in inland Northern California, and an accredited geriatric emergency department to serve our seniors.

Meanwhile, their extraordinary breadth of expertise in key fields such as medical research, health technology, and diversity and equity advance solutions for some of society’s most pressing health challenges.

This group of resilient, progressive and strong physicians is advancing health care in our shared community.

Sarina Paulson has over 15 years experience in the retail and personal care industry. In 2020, just four months before the start of the global pandemic, she became the owner of Willo Salons. Working side by side with her team, Willo Salons has become Northern California’s premier Aveda Salon. In addition, Willo Salons is the largest Aveda account in Northern California, winning Best of Sacramento in 2021 & 2022, along with adding a 4th location in Elk Grove this last year.

“We are laser focused on providing the highest level of service for each guest, with each visit. We understand that our guests have many choices when choosing a hair salon. Our focus is on the points of difference we offer, from the continued education we provide our stylists, to the scalp and hand massages we offer our guests during their time with us. We offer our guests a sense of renewal when they are in the salon.”

Sarina is passionate about investing in her team, customer service, and developing future leaders in the region. “Sense of community is so important. Giving back to the areas we serve is our responsibility. As an Aveda salon it is our mission to give back to the communities we serve. I am honored to be a board member of Impact100 Greater Sacramento working side by side with amazing women equally focused on serving our nonprofit community.”

Willo Salons is now offering alternative hair solutions for those experiencing hair loss, extensions, along with haircut and color services. “I would like to thank our amazing team at Willo Salons. I am proud to be working alongside our talented professionals. Thank you, Sacramento, for your support. We look forward to serving you soon.”

Living by the mantra ‘Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe,’ Melissa Allman has surrounded herself with a remarkable team. A mix of seasoned agents, administrative staff and interns, each member of MegaBliss Real Estate brings with them a set of unique talents and skills. They are all united by one goal: providing mega real estate service and a blissful experience to everyone they serve.

Melissa started the company in 2017, after selling her family home and purchasing another. “I remembered how stressful it can be, not knowing where you’re going to move or what happens next,” she explains. Having had her real estate license since 2003, previously worked as an appraiser and property manager, Melissa knew she could make an impact on the real estate world by becoming an agent full-time. Her passion

for creating genuine connections formed the foundation of her business, and success quickly followed.

MegaBliss is not just a name, it’s a feeling. The team’s positivity, expertise and love for what they do is apparent to every buyer and seller. Melissa explains, “Buying and selling real estate is a big commitment, we are going to be in a relationship while we go through this process, so working with a team that you vibe with, who communicates, keeps it transparent and positive, and has your back is key to a MegaBlissful experience.” Serving the greater Sacramento region, their knowledge about this city’s real estate market is unparalleled.

For more information about Melissa Allman, please call 916-949-6929 or email melissa@megablissre.com

Tanya is a top producing REALTOR® of 15 years with Lyon Real Estate. She has a positive mindset and is committed to providing high-touch, superior service. Tanya has represented hundreds of buyers and sellers and has a passion for helping others that sets her apart. She is active in multiple local charities. Learn how Tanya can help you realize your real estate dreams at TCurry@GoLyon.com

Wild Flower Design Group is a 3rd generation family business founded in 1986 by Brie’s mother, Carolyn. After growing up alongside her mother in the business, Brie then embarked on a career of her own in the hotel business working at Tacoma Dome, the Delta King Riverboat and Prince Charles where she honed her skills in business, sales, catering, hospitality, customer service and events. In 2015 Brie bought the family business and subsequently grew revenue by 300%.

Today, Brie’s Wild Flowers Design Group produces about 400 events a year and continues to grow with a design studio, a myriad of designers, independent contractors, family helpers.

Brie’s knack for interpreting a client’s vision coupled with exacting attention to detail results in events of a lifetime. Every detail is scrutinized and prepared, along with back-up plans, leaving no room for error because you only get one shot to be perfect.

Angelica Whaley grew up on the Sacramento Delta in Courtland, CA. She attended Saint Francis High School and continued on to Saint Mary’s College in Moraga. She studied Music: Vocal Performance, graduating as a classically trained opera singer. While she very much enjoyed the opportunities afforded during her time spent there, she decided that she was going to move back to Sacramento to take on the project of revitalizing and revamping her parents’ industrial property on the Delta. Channeling her entrepreneurial spirit and her parents’ years of running successful small businesses, The Willow Ballroom and Event Center was launched in the quaint town of Hood, on the Sacramento River.

The Willow Ballroom is a unique and urban warehouse space that exudes

character, originality, and old-world charm— adorned with 20+ eclectic chandeliers, bistro lighting, and gorgeous unique furnishings (designed by Angelica’s mom, Donis of Porta Bella Interior Design) The Willow Ballroom’s opening has helped revitalize and drive commerce to Hood and throughout the Sacramento Delta. It was just voted “Sacramento’s Best Wedding Venue” by Sacramento Magazine.

Angelica recently became a licensed realtor working under her powerhouse aunt, Kim Pacini-Hauch of RE/MAX Gold, Sacramento Magazine’s Women Who Mean Business 2015 honoree. Angelica’s passion for the arts, commitment to her clients and community, combined with her vibrant eclectic personality certainly makes her a woman on the move.

Christine grew up in Sacramento and has an abundance of knowledge of the city and surrounding areas—its neighborhoods, schools and organizations.

Christine has been a licensed real estate agent since 2007. In 2018

Christine joined forces with longtime Sacramento broker, Jerry Bringham, to form Bringham|Dariotis, combining 50+ years of real estate experience. Whether representing buyers or sellers, their goal is to provide the utmost client satisfaction through experience, service and results.

When not selling real estate, Christine enjoys family time with her husband, son, and three dogs; church and community volunteer work; travel; cooking and interior design.

NickSadekSIR.com

Marlene von Friederichs-Fitzwater

is the founder of Joshua’s House Volunteer Hospice, California’s first facility dedicated to caring for homeless, terminally ill people. The facility will provide free end-of-life comfort care for up to twenty patients. Joshua’s House is named after Ms. Friederichs-Fitzwater’s grandson, a homeless person himself, who passed away on the streets in Omaha, NE. The facility’s staff will offer comfort care–including meals, clothing, and therapy–at no cost to the care recipient. Local health system partners will provide quality hospice care.

Please take a moment to learn about ways in which you can provide funding to help terminally ill homeless people in our community. Personal and corporate donation information can be found at www. joshuashousehospice.org

Tri Counties Bank offers strategic products and services designed to improve the financial success of people and businesses throughout California. “Helping our local communities grow and thrive is very important to us, and the Sacramento region is one of our top priorities at Tri Counties Bank,” says Bindu Jaduram, Senior Vice President and Regional Manager for the Sacramento Valley region.

The difference lies within the superior level of service that Tri Counties Bank provides for their customers, something they call Service With Solutions®. “We’re able to make quick decisions because we truly are local. That’s not always the case with larger financial institutions. For example, when a business needs access to funds, they need a local partner that can be nimble and react quickly,” says Janelle Hopps, Senior Vice President and Commercial Lending Division Manager.

The executive management team at Tri Counties Bank has committed to hiring diverse, local talent. That commitment is shown through their hiring and promoting of women throughout the organization. “We invest in our people. Our employees make all of the difference, and I’m proud to lead a team of amazing people who truly care about their local communities,” says Gretchen Hritz, Senior Vice President and Commercial Lending Division Manager.

Established in 1975 and with assets of nearly $10 billion, Tri Counties Bank has headquarters in Roseville and Chico, plus seven locations in the Sacramento area.

“positivity is contagious.” Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, no other agent more perfectly combines local market knowledge, negotiation skills, and savvy

I’ve had the pleasure of serving wonderful clients throughout California in my real estate career. Every client is important to me, and I strive to provide excellent service and attention to every client. During a life-changing transaction, the little details matter the most. I aim to be the source of information and professional advice for customers unsure of what steps are necessary. Let me help you achieve your goals.

I am fluent in French and Portuguese.