Board of Directors
Become a Board Member
Our board positions are voluntary and consist of a diverse group of local business owners, entrepreneurs and a variety of industry professionals. Each board member is required to lead or serve on a committee and attend monthly board meetings.
For more information about serving on the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce board of directors, please contact us.
Executive Team
About Thomas
Thomas Kane is currently Senior Vice President, Director of Marketing, Digital and Product Management at Tri Counties Bank and is based at the bank’s offices in Roseville, California. With $9.9 billion in assets, Tri Counties Bank is Northern California’s leading community bank, with about 80 branches and loan offices throughout the state. Mr. Kane manages teams responsible for marketing communications, public relations, community engagement, marketing research and digital marketing, and product management.
Prior to joining Tri Counties Bank in 2014, Mr. Kane held various product management and marketing positions at Brink’s, Inc, and was also an entrepreneur operating three neighborhood bookstores in Texas. He earned an MBA from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas and a BA in Communication Arts (Rhetoric) and English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
He is also a member of the Board of Communication Arts Partners (CAPs), a departmental alumni group at the University of Wisconsin, and serves on the Board of Wind Youth Services, a non-profit organization serving homeless and at-risk youth in the Sacramento area.
Mr. Kane lives in the Sacramento area with his partner of 26 years, Emmanuel Relevo.
Thomas Kane
(He/Him/His)
Rainbow Chamber Chair
Senior Vice President
Director of Marketing, Digital and Product Management
Tri Counties Bank
About Devin
Devin Strecker is certified as a Leader in Place Management (LPM) by the International Downtown Association (IDA). He serves as executive director of the River District, a property-based improvement district (PBID) on the northern rim of downtown Sacramento.
A 2022 graduate of the IDA’s Emerging Leader Fellowship, Strecker has over two decades of experience in the place management industry, previously serving as Vice President/Interim Executive Director for the Hollywood Partnership. He is a board member of the California Downtown Association (CDA), the LGBTQ+ representative on Sacramento District Attorney Thien Ho’s Community Relations Council, as well as a volunteer Entertainment Lead with the Sacramento Pride Festival.
He has been a speaker at the IDA+CDA Place Matters Conference, completed the City of Sacramento’s Planning Academy (2024), and twice served as a candidate for the American Cancer Society’s Real Men Wear Pink campaign. A graduate of Fort Hays State University, Strecker grew up on a farm near Hays, Kansas.
Devin Strecker, LPM
(He/Him/His)
Rainbow Chamber Vice Chair
Executive Director, The River District
About Jay
Born and raised in the Midwest, I have lived in many cities before finding a place that feels like home—Sacramento.
Having lived here for five years, I have developed a strong bond with our community and am honored to contribute to its growth and success.
I have been a professional in the insurance industry for eight years, where I get to express my passion for helping people.
I enjoy spending my free time volunteering and being of service, as well as indulging in my nerdy interests and spending time with my fur babies.
Jay Stewart
(He/Him/His)
Secretary
Claims Adjuster – Large Loss Fire
About Samuel
Samuel N. Jones has been an active member of the Sacramento LGBTQ+ community since moving to the city in 2011 to begin his career at Sacramento State. Passionate about advocacy, philanthropy, and community engagement, he has dedicated himself to supporting local initiatives and fostering inclusive spaces for businesses and individuals alike.
Samuel’s commitment to the Sacramento community is reflected in his involvement with numerous events, including Sacramento Pride, Boas and Bow Ties, Drag Queen Bingo, and Rainbow Chamber Monthly Mixers. He has also played a key role in supporting scholars and local organizations through charitable live auctions and fundraising efforts.
As the Associate Vice President for Campus Life at Sacramento State, Samuel champions student engagement and success across University Housing Services, Associated Students, Inc., and The Union WELL, Inc. His dedication extends beyond his professional role, as he contributes annually to Sac State’s Advancement Office to ensure students have access to scholarships, housing, and food security resources. Additionally, he is a proud donor to Sac State’s Power of 1,000 Hornets and the President’s Circle, further demonstrating his commitment to student success.
In the summer of 2025, Samuel will expand his advocacy and community impact by launching his talk show, The Brew with S. Napoleon, on Access Sacramento—a platform designed to highlight important conversations and celebrate diverse voices in the region.
As Chair of the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce, Samuel remains dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ and allied businesses, fostering economic opportunities, and ensuring that inclusivity remains at the core of Sacramento’s thriving business community.
Samuel N. Jones
(He/Him/His)
Treasurer
Associate Vice President for Campus Life
Division of Student Affairs
Board Members
About Charlene’s
With more than 35 years of experience in hospitality and sales, Char brings a legacy of leadership, creativity, and inclusion to the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce Board. As a former executive leader, her celebrated career was built on promoting a culture of wellness, purpose, and belonging.
In 2024, she was honored with the SHA Recognition Award for Excellence and Commitment, reflection of her executive leadership, decades-long impact on client experience, and reputation as a trusted mentor and team builder. During her tenure with Hilton, recognized globally as a Best Workplace, Char championed diversity and inclusion both internally and in the broader community.
Now recently retired, she looks forward to supporting the LGBTQ+ community and contributing her experience and heart to the RCC Board.
Charlene Davis
(She/Her/Hers)
Board Member
About Peter
Peter Nurenberg Jr is a resilient and accomplished individual who has triumphed over numerous challenges throughout his life journey. As a gay deaf male, American Sign Language is his first language, and he learned to speak later in life to fully engage with the hearing world. Peter’s career path began later than some, but his growth and learning have been exceptional.
Currently specializing in Payroll and Benefits within Human Resources, Peter brings a wealth of experience across diverse industries, including fast food, hospitality, retail, and construction. His career journey reflects his versatility and willingness to take on new challenges.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Peter is deeply involved in his community. He serves as the Chairman for Placer Pride and as a board member for the Placer LGBTQ+ Center, demonstrating his commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ rights and support services locally.
Peter is also a dedicated volunteer, contributing his time to organizations such as the Sacramento/Placer food banks, Habitat for Humanity, Wildlife Rescue Center, and UC Davis Children’s Hospital. His passion for helping others extends to his love for the outdoors, where he enjoys traveling, hiking, kayaking, and exploring new places with his dogs. Peter also has a fondness for wine, food, and discovering new culinary experiences.
As an extrovert with a zest for life, Peter Nurenberg Jr continues to embrace new opportunities to learn, grow, and make a positive impact in both his professional career and his community involvement.
Peter Nurenberg Jr
(He/Him/His)
Board Member
About Phil
Sharon Stone Smith is the first Executive Director of the Sacramento Children’s Museum which celebrates their 15th Anniversary this year.
Sharon received her Master’s degree in Non-Profit Administration from Case Western Reserve University and her JD from the University Of San Diego School Of Law.
Sharon began her career in the nonprofit sector with a position at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston and has more recently served as the Associate Director at the Ocean Park Community Center and an Advocate at the California Association for the Education of Young Children. She also is a Past-President of the Fairytale Town Board of Directors and Sacramento Association of Museums Advisory Board.
Sharon Stone Smith
(She/Her/Hers)
Board Member
Executive Director, Sacramento Children’s Museum
About Aaron
After years of working alongside and supporting many different communities, Aaron felt a strong pull to invest that same energy and care into his own LGBTQ+ community here at home in Sacramento. Joining the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce allows him to show up locally, build meaningful connections, and support a business community that reflects my values and lived experience. Aaron brings experience in nonprofit governance, reporting, community outreach, volunteer engagement, and fundraising. He holds a B.A. in Intercultural Communications from CSU, Sacramento, and has lived and worked in Venezuela, Zimbabwe, and Peru, where he founded Under One Sun, an NGO focused on improving access to clean water and sanitation for Afro‑Peruvian communities. In the U.S., his work includes grants administration for health and housing projects serving farm laborers, as well as training individuals with impairments on adaptive telecommunications technology. Aaron currently serves as Western Regional Manager for Wish of a Lifetime, a nonprofit that grants wishes to older adults and elevates their stories to shift how society values aging.
Aaron Stillwell
(He/Him/His)
Board Member
Field Manager – Wish of a Lifetime from AARP
Executive Director & Staff
About Fred
Fred is the founder and Publisher of Outword Media Marketing and Events Inc. Now in its 26th year, Outword Magazine is an award-winning LGBT publication and publishes on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month, providing news and entertainment for the LGBT community, as well as image consulting, logo design, fundraising, and alternative distribution channels to its clients.
Fred is one of the original founding members of the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce and the Rainbow Chamber Foundation and has served several terms as President on each board.
He has worked with many community organizations, doing special events and fundraisers including PFLAG, Davis Pride, SIGLFF, and Sac LGBT Wedding Expo, helping to raise awareness for LGBT issues and to bring in necessary funding. Fred and his team also created Sacramento Drag Queen Bingo, which to date, has raised over $350,000 for local charities and is now managed by the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce.
Fred has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Communications, with an emphasis in Marketing and Business Management, from San Francisco State University.
Fred Palmer
(He/Him/His)
Executive Director
About Julie
Born and raised in Sacramento, I have dedicated the last 13 years to raising two amazing kids with my Husband of 9 years. Life took a wonderful turn when I met Fred Palmer, and in 2023, I embarked on a new journey by joining Outword Magazine part-time. I’m passionate about working with the LGBTQ+ community and excited to contribute to its growth through my role at the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber.
I cherish the little things in life, from enjoying a glass of champagne, paddle boarding, exploring hiking trails with my dog, and relaxing on the beach with a good book. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities to connect with and support the community through my work and look forward to continuing this fulfilling journey.
Julie Ebe
(She/Her/Hers)
Membership & Marketing
About Sara
Sara Hanson is a marketing and communications professional with a deep-rooted passion for the performing arts and nonprofit sector. She currently serves as a part-time Media Buyer for Broadway Sacramento, where she continues to support strategic campaigns drawing on more than a decade of leadership in marketing and public relations with the organization.
In addition to her work in the arts, Sara is a part-time support staff member with the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce, where she contributes to advancing the Chamber’s mission and strengthening connections within the region’s LGBTQ+ business community.
With nearly thirty years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Sara values the enduring partnerships she has cultivated throughout her career. Her professional journey began in 1996 on the PR team at Tower Records’ corporate headquarters, followed by her role as Public Relations Specialist for Sierra Forever Families, where she deepened her connection to Sacramento’s LGBTQ+ community.
Sara has been an active leader with the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce since 2021, including past service on the Board of Directors and as Board Chair. She also chaired the Chamber’s signature fundraising event, Boas & Bow Ties, beginning in 2022.
Sara Hanson
(She/Her/Hers)
Staff
Associate Director of Marketing, Broadway Sacramento