The National Association of Women Business Owners, Sacramento Valley Chapter held the Annual Outstanding Women Leadership Awards on Oct. 19. Established in 1997, the OWL Awards celebrate exemplary women leaders in the business community, and recognize achievements of female entrepreneurs and corporate leaders in entrepreneurial excellence and community leadership.

On Oct. 26 United Way held its 16th Annual Luncheon at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, where 450 Women United members and guests raised more than $75,000 to support United Way’s foster youth program. Guests heard from Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and viewed a fashion show featuring young adults from United Way’s foster program. 

On Sept. 14, The Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 15th anniversary at the Dante Club in Sacramento. Honorees included Steven Walker of Fast Break Tech, Jason Russell of Russell CPAs, Lori Okamoto of SMUD, and nine additional students who received Rainbow Chamber Foundation scholarships. Proceeds of the live and silent auctions benefit the Rainbow Chamber Foundation Scholarship Fund.

On Sept. 9, The American Cancer Society held the 9th Annual Hope Gala at the home of Nancy and Alan Brodovsky honoring cancer survivor Brandi Rhodes and Ralph de Vere White M.D. Emeritus Director, UC Davis Cancer Center. The fundraiser featured a silent auction, a strolling dinner from Elaine Bell Catering and live music.

Breathe California Sacramento Region celebrated its centennial gala on Oct. 21 at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. The event featured a silent auction and special guest speakers Congresswoman Doris Matsui and Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg. Since 1917, Breathe has built a legacy of fighting for clean air, healthy lungs and smoke-free living.

On Aug. 1, the American Leadership Forum – Mountain Valley Chapter, held their“All Access” reception at The Firehouse Restaurant in Old Sacramento, welcoming Gary May, the new chancellor of University of California, Davis. ALF-MVC “All Access” events are designed to connect individuals with the region’s newest leaders. May was previously the engineering dean at Georgia Tech and was appointed as the 7th chancellor of UC Davis, earlier this year.

On Oct. 5, the Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program held a Roast and Toast to honor Doni Blumenstock, co-founder of NELP, at the Sacramento State Alumni Center. The event raised funds to pay tuition costs for the incoming NELP class. NELP is a 10-month professional development program designed to prepare its fellows for effective and ethical leadership.

The 2017 Jessup Gala was held Oct. 1 at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento. The gala raised funds for student scholarships at William Jessup University in Rocklin, the Sacramento region’s only Western Association of Schools and Colleges-accredited, private four-year Christian university.

Photos by Image Outfitters Photography

The 19th annual Race for the Arts was held on Aug. 27h at William Land Park. Race for the Arts is a nonprofit organization that raises funds and awareness, and increases audiences for California nonprofit performing, literary, cultural and visual arts organizations, along with school music, literary, drama and art programs.

On August 29th, Positive Coaching Alliance held the 2017 Jeans and Jerseys Youth Sports Awards at Sacramento State to highlight community members, coaches and athletes throughout the Sacramento region.

Photos courtesy of Positive Coaching Alliance/ Douglas Taylor Photography