From pageant queens to Army veterans, these women lead their own way

March is Women in Leadership month at Comstock’s magazine! Our annual showcase of some of the region’s most prominent women in business and nonprofits also features stories on women-led startups, female equestrians and urban design that builds community. Read it now on your computer, phone or tablet.

As you can imagine, selecting our Women in Leadership is no easy feat. This year, we had about 100 nominations from readers like you, representing many of the Capital Region’s best and brightest.

In our effort to showcase a range of industries and timely stories, we had to make difficult decisions — ultimately passing over some truly impressive candidates. That means if you or your nominee weren’t featured this year, we encourage you to submit again in 2027.

In the meantime, nomination season is already underway for our 2026 Young Professionals issue, coming this July. A Young Professional profile introduced readers to Camille Zapata, the “Zillennial” behind Gov. Gavin Newsom’s satirical social media strategy — one of our most-read stories last year.

The deadline is April 15, so now is the time to nominate an emerging leader in the Capital Region, age 40 or younger.

– Dakota Morlan, managing editor

This week’s featured Women in Leadership: Dr. Jennifer Nuovo Is Expanding Access to Care for California’s Most Vulnerable Patients

Inspired by the doctor who cared for her as a child, Dr. Jennifer Nuovo has built a 40-year career improving health outcomes for patients across California.

Sheri Peifer Is Building Communities Where Aging Comes With Purpose

Leading Northern California’s largest nonprofit senior living provider, Sheri Peifer is helping reshape how communities support older adults.

Meghan Phillips Is Helping Sacramento Tell Its Food Story

From the Tower Bridge Dinner to Food Frontier, Meghan Phillips works to connect the region’s farms, chefs and food leaders.

Kennedy Hill-Garcia Is Opening Doors for the Next Generation of Students

Kennedy Hill-Garcia has mentored hundreds of students while building programs designed to support future leaders.

Recommendations From Our Staff

Judy: I always enjoy taking in a performance by the Sacramento Contemporary Dance Theatre. Led by former Comstock’s Young Professional Jacob Gutierrez-Montoya, its most recent performance was “Lifted,” which put a spotlight on human trafficking. The dancing was lyrical and elegant, yet haunting at the same time.

Jennifer: I listen to so many podcasts that finding an episode I somehow missed when it came out is kind of like finding an extra french fry at the bottom of the bag. Yesterday, that happened with an episode of the excellent “Radiolab” that came out Jan. 20: “Song of the Cerebellum.” We (including both regular shmoes like me and actual scientists) know so little about the human brain that every new detail that comes out feels a little bit like magic.

Odds and Ends

Nominate an emerging leader in the Capital Region, age 40 or under. The deadline is April 15.

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