![Lorie Symon is the president of Aerometals. (Photo by Terence Duffy)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0321_wil_symon_terenceduffy_lead.jpg?1615414680)
Women in Leadership: Lorie Symon
Our annual salute to extraordinary women who are shaping our future
Lorie Symon is the president of the El Dorado Hills-based aerospace manufacturer Aerometals, which specializes in prolonging the lives of older aircraft for companies like Boeing.
![Lydia Ramirez is senior vice president and chief operations officer at Five Star Bank. (Photo by Terence Duffy)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0321_wil_ramirez_terenceduffy_lead.jpg?1615231446)
Women in Leadership: Lydia Ramirez
Our annual salute to extraordinary women who are shaping our future
Lydia Ramirez, senior vice president and chief operations officer at Five Star Bank, is the Sacramento region’s highest-ranking Latina in the banking field.
![Mary Paasch is principal engineer and vice president at Stantec. (Photo by Terence Duffy)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0321_wil_paasch_terenceduffy_lead.jpg?1615231193)
Women in Leadership: Mary Paasch
Our annual salute to extraordinary women who are shaping our future
The Capital Region depends on water resources engineers like Mary Paasch, principal engineer and vice president of Stantec.
![Tahira Cunningham, chief of staff for Alluma, says nonprofits she’s worked with use fellowship and internship programs to promote growth for women and people of color. (Photo by Fred Greaves)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0321_workplace_fredgreaves_lead.jpg?1615230630)
Room at the Top
Many nonprofits in the Capital Region are headed by women
Statistics and personal stories suggest that, overall, women may find more growth opportunities at nonprofits, and as a result, many more are opting for this route.
![Carol J. Ornelas is CEO of Stockton-based Visionary Home Builders of California. (Photo by Terence Duffy)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0321_wil_ornelas_terenceduffy_lead.jpg?1615227723)
Women in Leadership: Carol J. Ornelas
Our annual salute to extraordinary women who are shaping our future
Carol J. Ornelas is CEO of Stockton-based Visionary Home Builders of California, a nonprofit that develops low-income housing and owns 26 affordable apartment properties.
![Elizabeth-Rose Mandalou is a partner and cofounder of the restaurant group WM Restaurants. (Photo by Terence Duffy)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0321_wil_mandalou_terence-duffy_lead.jpg?1614891985)
Women in Leadership: Elizabeth-Rose Mandalou
Our annual salute to extraordinary women who are shaping our future
Elizabeth-Rose Mandalou is a partner and cofounder of the restaurant group WM Restaurants and holds the title of Advanced Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers.
![LaKenya Jordan is the executive director of the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls. (Photo by Terence Duffy)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0321_wil_jordan_terence-duffy_lead_0.jpg?1614796214)
Women in Leadership: LaKenya Jordan
Our annual salute to extraordinary women who are shaping our future
LaKenya Jordan is the executive director of the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, a state government office that focuses on initiatives and programs that promote and establish equity for women and girls statewide.
![Cassie Gilson is president and managing partner of Axiom Advisors. (Photo by Terence Duffy)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0321_wil_gilson_terence-duffy_lead.jpg?1614627769)
Women in Leadership: Cassie Gilson
Our annual salute to extraordinary women who are shaping our future
Cassie Gilson is president and managing partner of Axiom Advisors, making her one of the only women who are managing partners at the top lobbying firms in Sacramento.
![Dr. Diana Farmer is chair of the department of surgery at UC Davis Health. (Photo by Terence Duffy)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0321_wil_farmer_terence-duffy_lead.jpg?1614614532)
Women in Leadership: Dr. Diana Farmer
Our annual salute to extraordinary women who are shaping our future
Dr. Diana Farmer, chair of the department of surgery at UC Davis Health, is the world’s first woman fetal surgeon.
![Melissa Brown is the director of legal clinics and a professor of lawyering skills at McGeorge School of Law. (Photo by Terence Duffy)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0321_wil_brown_terence-duffy_lead_0.jpg?1614614474)
Women in Leadership: Melissa Brown
Our annual salute to extraordinary women who are shaping our future
Melissa Brown has been a professor at McGeorge School of Law since 2008 and director of its legal clinics since 2013.