This story is part of our March 2026 issue. To read the print version, click here.

The future economy of the Capital Region will not be built by accident. It will be built because people choose to lead boldly, to see possibilities where others see risk and to take chances when the stakes feel uncomfortably high. The courage to build the future for lasting generations doesn’t always come easy: “Without risk, there’s no reward.”

Every transformative moment in our nation’s history, and even in our own California state capital, has required someone to step up and have the courage to lead boldly. Courage is something I deeply admire in leaders, and I aim to instill these values in my own life, work and leadership. After living in 10 different states, embracing diverse cultures and continually pushing myself to grow in work and leadership, what once felt like the impossible ultimately paid off — proving that resilience, adaptability and courage are always worth it in the long run. Even in the early days of my career, moving by myself with one suitcase and a moving box, traveling state by state, thousands of miles every time for a new job was nerve-wracking. But ultimately, I had the courage to be bold.

Bold leadership is not reckless. Vision is not daydreaming. Real leadership is the discipline of imagining a future that does not yet exist and then doing the hard, unpopular work of rallying a community behind you — defying the odds when people cast doubt.

Visionaries who refuse to think small and not let anyone stand in the way are the ones who create lasting change. We need more defiant and fearless leaders in the Capital Region and to not let age, gender or inequities define us. As a female leader, it’s important to me to always support other women because I did not always have the same support. Mentorship creates pathways where there were once barriers, helping women see themselves in positions of influence, equipping them with the confidence and the skill sets needed to succeed. Currently, I have a predominantly women-led team, and I take that responsibility seriously as I mentor them into the future.

When I first arrived in the Sacramento region, I was often the only female in the room. I got the opportunity of a lifetime, which sparked my passion for economic development and community, when I worked at the Greater Sacramento Economic Council in a predominantly male industry. I was fortunate enough to have a mentor who brought me into rooms as a female leader, where others would not have made the same decision. This is why I always make a point to do the same for other women.

The power of risk is how big ideas reshape economies. And one opportunity where I said “yes” is now going to forever change Sacramento State and the region’s economy. There were many days I doubted being so bold and days when I wanted to throw in the towel. The one thing that kept me going was having the courage to change a community and economy, even if it’s something that has never been done before. The voices of my parents, repeatedly in my ear, telling me at a young age, “Michelle, life is hard and difficult, but you must have the courage to fight and go out into the world and do it. Take the road less traveled.” If not for my family, the countless business and community leaders in my corner and the champions behind the scenes, the outcome may have been completely different.

The development project on Capitol Mall, arguably the largest of its kind in an urban core nationwide, is a multi-billion-dollar endeavor. This is a first for Sacramento, up to 5 million square feet of mixed-use development focused on training the next generation of leaders.

Universities are the backbone of our economy, providing the workforce engine of our future and driving industry forward. What better location is there in which to educate and inspire than right next to the state Capitol of the fourth-largest economy in the world? In college, I gained invaluable hands-on experience and the opportunity to become a news anchor on our local PBS station five days a week, immersing myself in every facet of journalism. Without that chance, I would never have begun my career as a news anchor at just 21 years of age. I want the same opportunity for our students.

Thanks to a private sector industry partner, Meta, providing $50 million in catalyst funding towards the downtown project, we can now move forward. This university development is a true public and private partnership. Thanks to the Department of General Services, the state’s real estate arm, we are working towards transforming Capitol Mall with a university focus. This project will take strong leadership and community rallying together, no matter the obstacles.

I deeply believe that the Capital Region’s future economy will be built by people willing to take chances, people who understand that progress demands change and that vision only matters if we are brave enough to pursue it. We are fortunate to have a forward-thinking university president, my own boss, Dr. Luke Wood. He has been the leader who let me take those risks and chances, along with countless business and elected leaders who encouraged me.

To the Capital Region: Dream bigger, be bolder and take courageous action because that’s what it takes to change a city, region, state and economy. Build what others won’t. Take the leap that changes everything because when big bets pay off, you have changed the future. It’s what our community deserves, and it’s what we need to be successful for lasting generations.

If we want a future defined by opportunity, resilience and shared prosperity, we must be willing to bet on ourselves.

Michelle Willard is chief of external relations and interim senior associate vice president for university communications at Sacramento State, where she leads government relations, economic development, marketing and communications. She was a Comstock’s 2024 Women in Leadership honoree.

–

Stay up to date on business in the Capital Region: Subscribe to the Comstock’s newsletter today.