Too many employees get stuck doing tedious tasks on legacy systems that can impact job satisfaction and the bottom line. This is why Todd Michaud launched HuLoop Automation, a Sacramento-based AI-powered solution to transform the way work gets done.

Sandy Smoley was once ubiquitous in local and state government, in the arts, in charity, in civic beautification and ultimately, as an in-demand public affairs and health care consultant for The Smoley Group. We check in with the local icon to see what she’s up to now.

Before starting her shoe company Birdies, Marisa Sharkey described herself as risk averse. Eight years in, her bold moves have paid off. 

Cathilea Robinett is CEO of e.Republic, a Folsom-based media and research company focused on state and local government and education. She drives the company’s mission to improve government and education through strategy, stability, growth and expansion.

As superintendent and CEO of Gateway Community Charters, Dr. Cindy Petersen has grown Gateway Community Charters from a single school in 2003 to nine today, which serve over 5,000 children and employ 700 staff. 

Risa Omega is president and general manager of ABC10, currently the most-awarded newsroom in the Capital Region. 

A 31-year veteran of the California Association for Highway Patrolmen, Carrie Lane has risen through the ranks to become CEO. 

Lakhwinder Kaur started out as a teller, and was quickly promoted to a personal banker. From there, it was a long, steady climb to her current role with Five Star Bank, where she oversees the Sacramento Valley market with an emphasis on community involvement and outreach.

As tribal administrator of the United Auburn Indian Community, Becky Johnson provides recommendations and implements decisions relating to programs such as the tribal school, social services, and cultural and historic preservation.

Bonnie Ferreira helms the Mountain Valley Chapter of the American Leadership Forum, a cohort from all walks of life, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and industries that represents multiple counties to explore challenges facing the region, connect with one another and develop their leadership skills.

Regina Cuellar is chairwoman of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, a Placerville-based federally recognized tribe — one of 109 in California. 

As chief growth officer of PRIDE Industries, Leah Burdick connects people with disabilities with resources and ultimately jobs. 

Optimized Foods, a Davis-based food tech startup, has created a new kind of caviar that is sustainable, nutritious and, most notably, fish-free.

Using Internet-of-Things devices and sensors, the Sacramento-based startup analyzes real-time plant data to monitor the health and performance of crops and water soil saturation.

Marcy Friedman is one of the greater Sacramento region’s best-known and most personally beloved philanthropists, as well as a genuine influencer.

For athletes, consistency can lead to greatness. Performance data can help get them there. The sports technology startup Core Impact offers a targeted solution through its patent-pending wearable technology.

It takes about five years for a cocoa tree to grow and start producing cocoa beans. But Alan Perlstein, who spent the last 20 years in cellular agriculture and pharmaceuticals, had an idea: Why not bypass the tree and just grow the bean?

Gregg Lukenbill has a lifelong, nearly unconditional love for the city he helped build. Get to know the former Sacramento Kings owner and his new project to revive a legendary bar.

EV Life was created to help make the cost of an electric vehicle equal to or less than a car that runs on gas. The startup’s founder and co-CEO explains how his business works with potential EV buyers in three phases.

Vivek Ranadivé sometimes draws the ire of fans and media criticism for perceived meddling in his team, which hasn’t made the playoffs in 16 years. But there’s another side to his story, his work as a leader of one of the highest-valued businesses in the area and the potential impact he continues to have on Sacramento.

The Zuckerman family started a farming empire on a Stockton island. Over 100 years later, they’ve branched out to several new businesses but have stayed true to the crops that started it all. 

The Sobon family, owners of Sobon Estate and Shenandoah Vineyards, are continuing a 166-year legacy of winemaking in Amador County. Their land has been a vineyard since 1856, making it one of the oldest in the state.

Now in its fourth generation of family ownership, Vacaville-based dried fruit company Mariani Packing Co. focuses on healthy living — not just for its consumers, but also for its employees. 

Founded in 1914, Elliott Homes has successfully weathered the cyclical building market to emerge as an industry leader.

ACES Waste Services’ roots are in San Francisco, where the co-owners’ ancestor started a waste collection company called the Scavengers Protective Association. Today, the Amador County-based company gives back to the community.

With her Davis-based startup, CEO Liz Tang wants to remedy the problem of people with medical conditions not having immediate access to the medical devices that may save their lives.

Over the past 30 years, Randall Selland has opened multiple restaurants of different styles, all with an inclusive, folksy flair. 

VestLife, founded by a special needs attorney, enables parents of children with developmental disabilities to organize, manage and instantly access their child’s key disability information via one secure web app.

Breast milk has antibiotic-like health benefits? It sure does. Matrubials, a startup out of UC Davis, is developing products that use breast milk components to treat bacterial infections.  

With Vite Ramen, co-founder and CEO Tim Zheng set out to create a nutritious instant food product. He also manufactured it ethically and designed the recipe to be faithful to classic Japanese ramen styles.