Lisa Nelson, President
Lisa Nelson is a founding member of Alchemist. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan and a Master of Science in Community Development from UC Davis. She is currently the Director of Finance for Sacramento Mutual Housing Association. Her community development interests include affordable housing, community ownership, city parks and greenspace, and organizational development. She also enjoys playing the piano and painting in her free time. Lisa enjoys working with Alchemist because she cares deeply about the future of urbanization in Sacramento.
Wendy Carter, Executive Director
Wendy Carter is also founding member of Alchemist. She is nearing the completion of her Master in Community Development from UC Davis and completed her undergraduate education at Cornell University. Her interest in Sacramento Development was sparked by moving from Boston to the Alkali Flat neighborhood for graduate school. She began attending community outreach meetings and decided that there was a need for a group that could bring the resources of UC Davis to the Sacramento community. Wendy's leadership as a founder, board member and current Executive Director is a strong foundation for the future of the organization.
Jessica Roberts Pearson, Secretary
Jessica Pearson serves as Policy Advisor for the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). In this position, Jessica advises the Director on a variety of water and energy policy matters, including flood management, climate change and environmental stewardship. In 2002 her lifelong interest in public service crystallized when she spent a year as an Americorps Volunteer in East Palo Alto. This experience motivated Jessica to get her M.S. in Community Development at U.C. Davis. Afterwards, Jessica was accepted into the Capital Fellows Program in Sacramento where she worked on natural resources policy at the California Resources Agency. Her overlapping policy and service interests include sustainable development, planning and energy and water resources. She is an avid gardener and happily tends her plot at the Fremont Community Garden.
Bernadette Austin, Treasurer
Bernadette Austin works at the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency in the development and financing of affordable housing for the City and County of Sacramento. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Sacramento ENRICHES and volunteers with Wonder, Inc. and the West Sacramento Youth Resource Coalition. Bernadette has a passion for public/private/nonprofit partnerships, community economic development, youth development, and community health. She holds a certificate as an Economic Development Finance Professional from the National Development Council, a Bachelor of Science in Community Health from St. Mary's College of California, and a Master of Science in Community Development from U.C. Davis.
John Bozeman
John M. Bozeman holds a bachelors degree in Community and Regional Development at U.C. Davis and currently works for the California State Senate. His interests include urban development, local and state politics and increasing community involvement in Sacramento. In working with Alchemist, John hopes to improve the lives of those who live and work in the city.
Chris Aguirre
Chris has been managing outreach projects and fundraising at Valley Vision since 2006 after completing his master’s degree in Community Development from U.C. Davis. His fields of study were economic development, affordable housing, community participation, and nonprofit organizations. Chris previously completed his B.A. in Ethnic Studies from Sacramento State University. He worked previously as a firefighter and squad boss for the US Forest Service, a graphic arts assistant, a guest teacher and a financial services associate for E*Trade Financial. Chris also completed internships with the Senate Office of Research and the California Legislature’s Select Committee on Economic Development. Chris is a native Sacramentan and grew up in Orangevale.
Steve Rosen
Steve Rosen works as a land use planner. He has a degree in City and Regional Planning. He lives somewhat close to the Alkali Flat neighborhood and was a customer at that farm stand before becoming a Director.
Melissa Guajardo
Melissa Guajardo has over 10 years of public health experience working in issues such as HIV, Obesity, Breast Cancer Early Detection and Prevention, and most recently Community Food Security. Melissa received her Masters in Public Health at Boston University in 2000 with an emphasis in Social and Behavioral Sciences. She is most proud of working with small communities to increase local production and distribution of fresh produce with the Del Paso Heights Community Farms and Farmers' Market project. Melissa was one of the founding steering committee members of the California Food and Justice Coalition. She has lived and worked in Sacramento since February 2000. Currently Melissa works with the California Center for Civic Participation, supporting youth voice in community change and policy advocacy.
Mary Helen Doherty
Mary Helen Doherty has a unique combination of experience with public service agencies, community based services and volunteer organizations in the health and social welfare field. She holds a Masters in Public Administration from California State University, Sacramento, and recently acquired a certificate in Fund Raising Management from Indiana University Center on Philanthropy. She moved to Sacramento in the Fall of 2005 and has been making connections with a variety of community projects, as well as working as a resource development consultant for non-profit organizations. She comes from a long line of Irish farmers in Northern Illinois.
Staff and General Contact List
Are you interested in coming to a board meeting or becoming a member? Our board meetings are open to the public. Contact info@alchemistcdc.org for our next meeting day, time and location. You can learn more about being a board member by reviewing our bylaws and board member agreement.