Vanessa Labi is a writer who specializes in arts and culture. She earned her English degree from UCLA. She shares cultural commentary, essays and recommendations in her newsletter, The Vessel. See her work at Vanessa-Labi.com. On Instagram @Vanessa.Labi.

Courtney McKinney is a writer and communications manager in Sacramento. Her writing has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Salon and the Huffington Post, among others. Courtney graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Yale University in 2011. Courtney once worked at A24 Films in New York — the company that released Lady Bird the same year she moved to Sacramento.

Lisa Montanaro is a productivity consultant, success coach, business strategist, speaker and author who helps people live successful and passionate lives, and enjoy productive and profitable businesses and careers. Lisa is the author of several books, including The Ultimate Life Organizer and DECIDE to be Organized.

Jennifer Montgomery has served as a Placer County Supervisor since 2008. Raised in Redwood City and Palo Alto, Montgomery earned her bachelor’s degree from Mills College and then studied horticulture at Sierra College.

Tracy Jackson is the executive vice president chief human resources officer for SAFE Credit Union. She’s been married since 1997, and is mother of three daughters — or four, counting her current exchange student from Brazil. 

Rob Lapsley was named president of the California Business Roundtable in 2011, a nonpartisan organization consisting of the senior executives of the state’s major companies. Previously, he served as VP and state political director for CalChamber; president of RCL Consultants and VP for Arnel Development, one of the largest private real estate companies in Southern California. Lapsley served in the U.S. State Department during the Iraq War and as chief of staff to former Secretary of State Bill Jones, serving as undersecretary of state from 1995 to 2001. Lapsley served in the California Assembly from 1987-2002 and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Shoka is the former associate editor for Comstock’s magazine and a journalist, copy editor and photojournalist who specializes in covering arts, culture, animal rights and sustainability.

Stacey Shelnut-Hendrick is director of education at the Crocker Art Museum, a department that serves more than 60,000 people annually through programs like Art Ark, a museum on wheels; programs for babies and toddlers; studio art classes; and Block by Block. Stacey was named 2017 Museum Educator of the Year by the National Art Education Association. 

Blair Anthony Robertson is a freelance writer who previously worked at The Sacramento Bee in multiple roles over 18 years, including feature writer, restaurant critic and craft beer columnist. He also worked at the Detroit Free Press and at the Charlotte Observer. These days, he is a dog lover, fitness enthusiast, avid cook and devoted vegan.

Tom Couzens is the former executive editor of Comstock’s. Inspired by The Washington Post’s coverage of Watergate, he joined the newspaper staff at his high school, where one of his duties was writing editorials. A graduate of the University of Maryland’s College of Journalism, he has worked for five newspapers, including The Sacramento Bee. Before joining Comstock’s, his first non-daily journalism job, his most recent position was News Editor for The Bee. On Twitter @tomcouzens.