![Betty Yee is the second woman in California’s history to serve as state controller. (Photo by Terence Duffy)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/0321_wil_yee_terence-duffy_lead.jpg?1615486994)
Women in Leadership: Betty Yee
Our annual salute to extraordinary women who are shaping our future
Betty Yee is the second woman in California’s history to serve as state controller.
![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.
![(Shutterstock photo)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/shutterstock_1629882094.jpg?1614991833)
Changing the Skyline
How the National Association of Women in Construction is attracting women to a historically male-dominated field
Women make up less than 10 percent of workers in the construction industry. NAWIC sees opportunities in that gap.
![Betty Yee is California state controller. Cassie Gilson is president and managing partner of Axiom Advisors. Elizabeth-Rose Mandalou is an advanced sommelier and co-owner of Allora restaurant and WM Catering and Events in Sacramento. (Photo by Terence Duffy, photo illustration by Carly Cornejo)](https://www.comstocksmag.com/sites/main/files/imagecache/tile/main-images/wil2021-podcast-graphic1500x795.jpg?1615221318)
Comstock’s Talks: Women in Leadership Roundtable
PODCAST: Listen in on our conversation with three of our 2021 Women in Leadership honorees on the ways women are shaping the future of the Capital Region.
![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.