Rachel Leibrock is a Northern California-based journalism educator, writer and editor who covers arts and culture, food and current events. She worked for nine years at the Sacramento Bee, where she wrote about pop culture and music, and more than a decade at the Sacramento News & Review, including several years as editor-in-chief. Her work has also appeared in Bust magazine, Diablo Magazine and the San Francisco Chronicle. She graduated from Sacramento State with a degrees in journalism and mass communication. She also has an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Mills College. She teaches journalism at American River College and is working on a memoir. More at www.rachel-leibrock.com.
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Young Professionals: Blake Johnson
Meet the rising stars who are leading the Capital Region from the heart
Blake Johnson, 37, once told himself he wouldn’t follow his mother’s career path. She’d been an educator — both a teacher and a principal— and while he respected her work, he wouldn’t pursue the same trajectory. He eventually changed his mind, setting off on a course that ultimately led him to his current role as chief strategy officer at Child Action.
Women in Leadership 2025: Yvonne Pire
Our annual salute to the women who lead the Capital Region
“Between working in high-pressure work environments and raising kids, by the time I was 40 I was just physically, emotionally and mentally feeling like I was exhausted and falling apart,” Pire says. “At that point, I went through a life-changing timeframe.” That’s when she envisioned The Rising Zone, a Rocklin-based event and co-working wellness center.
Conscious Conception
Technology advancements in IVF may help those trying for a family
Increasingly, more people are choosing IVF as the route to parenthood, but the process remains expensive and time-consuming. Over the years, however, improvements in technology have helped and even streamlined treatments. And researchers aren’t done.
Young Professionals: Jacob Gutierrez-Montoya
Meet the emerging leaders who envision a bright future for the Capital Region
Jacob Gutierrez-Montoya founded Sacramento Contemporary Dance Theatre, whose mission is to translate the work of local nonprofits into art.
Women in Leadership: Cheyanne Anquoe
Our annual salute to women at the top of their field
Cheyanne Anquoe is chief operating officer at Arnold Law Firm, one of the top personal injury law firms in the Capital Region.
Young Professionals: Ananda Rochita
Meet the 10 young professionals who are rocking it in their careers and community
Ananda Rochita’s first language was Indonesian; by the time she started kindergarten, however, she also spoke English — thanks to time spent in front of the television watching the news. Years later when it came time to decide on an area of study, perhaps unsurprisingly, she chose journalism.
How the Pandemic Changed Work-Life Balance
Lockdown made many women rethink how they spend their time
COVID has permanently changed priorities at the office and at home, and sparked thorny questions and conversations about the modern work-life balance.
On the Fast Track: Jayden Sangha
Meet 13 young professionals who are on the fast track, bringing new ideas and innovations to the Capital Region
Jayden Sangha is approaching his role as
assistant chief financial officer of the City of
Stockton from a community perspective, applying
everything he’s learned in his previous positions in both private
and public sectors.
Women in Leadership: Lora Anguay
Our annual salute to extraordinary women breaking barriers and rising to the top
Lora Anguay’s commitment to her work as SMUD’s chief zero carbon officer comes from her natural alignment with the company’s mission and community-centric values.
Sports, Arts and Entertainment Reemerge in the Capital Region
The regional business of entertainment, arts and sports is reemerging with new structures and outlooks in place.
Comstock’s Talks: Film Production in the Capital Region Thrives
PODCAST: Movies, sitcoms, commercials and more are still filming in the Capital Region, thanks to the work of local film commissioners.
Film Production in the Capital Region Thrives Despite a Year of Uncertainty
Movies, sitcoms, commercials and more are still filming in the
Capital Region, thanks to the work of local film
commissioners.
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.
Comstock’s Talks: Neighborly by Design
PODCAST: Cohousing communities are growing in popularity across the Capital Region.
Comstock’s Talks: Neighborly by Design
PODCAST: Cohousing communities are neighborhoods where physical spaces, outdoors and indoors, give residents a place to interact outside of their private homes. These communities are growing in popularity across the Capital Region.
Neighborly by Design
Cohousing communities are growing in popularity across the Capital Region
Cohousing is a noteworthy trend as homebuyers seek options that
invest in sustainability and personal
connections.
Finding a New Vegan Vision
Food entrepreneurs on the verge of opening brick-and-mortar locations retool their businesses — and find silver linings
Many Sacramento entrepreneurs, when forced to consider what it
means to launch a business during a time of crisis, realized
there could be plant-based opportunities.