Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce

Rainbow Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors 2011-2012

President - Bonnie Osborn
Member Since 2005
Owner, WriteAway Communication Services

WriteAway Communication Services

Bonnie Osborn is a communications professional and writer with more than 17 years experience as a journalist, public relations practitioner and advocate for LGBT causes. After receiving her Bachelor of Journalism degree from University of Missouri-Columbia in 1994, Bonnie worked as a reporter and editor for weekly and daily newspapers in Missouri and Southern California. In 2000, she entered the public relations field, holding positions at Los Angeles County Public Health and medical research center City of Hope. In 2001, she joined the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, where she served as communications director for three years.

In 2004, Bonnie launched her own company, WriteAway Communications Services, which specializes in strategic marketing and PR, online and social media marketing, media relations and corporate publications. She continues to write for publication, and her work is regularly featured in Outword Magazine. She served for three years as pro bono communications director for the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center, served as co-chair for Sacramento Pride 2008 and as marketing and public relations director for Sacramento Pride 2010. She served as an RCC Board Member at Large for the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 terms and as President for 2010-2011.

Bonnie lives with her partner of 17 years in Sacramento, California, and the couple was legally married in 2008. When not busy at her computer, Bonnie loves to hike, bike, camp and explore the beautiful rivers, mountains and beaches of Northern California.

Vice President - Dr. Darrick Lawson
Member Since 2003
Owner, Healing Touch Chiropractic

Healing Touch Chiropractic

Dr. Darrick Lawson has been a member of the Rainbow Chamber since 2003 and served as Board Member-at-Large for the 2009-2010 term and as co-chair of the Chamber’s new Governmental Affairs Committee. He has been a practicing chiropractor since 1991 and has always had a passion for the greater community. Darrick often donates his services to help others, such as Homeless Connect, Wellspring, CARES, and has a policy not to deny care to anyone regardless of ability or inability to pay. He offers a free examination to all members of the Rainbow Chamber.

Dr. Lawson brings to the Chamber an interesting mix of professional and life experiences. He was the Vice President of the Orangevale Chamber of Commerce, Vice President of the Elmhurst neighborhood association, and President of the Stonewall Democratic Club of Greater Sacramento, which grew to over 500 members while he was president. He is currently a commissioner for the Human Rights / Fair Housing Commission, and Chairs the Board of a new Ecumenical and Inter-Faith Ministry called the Experience which will feature beloved pastor Dr. David Thompson.

Dr. Lawson hopes to help continue the bridge building between the communities of Faith and Politics, to members of the Gay and Lesbian Community. While there are many who have been hurt in the past, Dr. Lawson knows there are avenues to healing that will serve all of us in our quest for greater equality and acceptance.

Treasurer - Stefan Murphy
Member Since 2004
Owner, S Murphy Training and Consulting, and a Financial Advisor

S Murphy Training and Consulting, and a Financial Advisor

Stefan has been in the Financial Services industry for 20 years, and has made a career out of helping people understand and then take control of their personal and business finances. Whether coaching high school seniors on matters of saving, investing, and budgeting, or delivering public seminars in rural communities on understanding the economic crisis, Stefan takes pride in making sure to remove the mystery and fear that people have regarding money and how to make it work for them.

A native of the Sierra foothills, Stefan has been active in many community service organizations, such as Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation, and Music in the Mountains.

Secretary - Cecilia Tsang
Member Since 2009
Co-founder and Partner, Family Wealth Law Group

Family Wealth Law Group

Cecilia Tsang has spent virtually her entire legal career helping families create and establish their estate plans. Cecilia earned both her undergraduate degree and Juris Doctorate (law) degree at the University of California, Davis. Unlike most estate planning practitioners, Cecilia knew she wanted to practice in the area of estate planning before she finished law school. She realized that the relationship an estate planner has with their clients and their families is closer and more enjoyable than in any other legal field. The biggest compliment any client can pay her is by saying that she has provided them with peace of mind for their family and their experience with her was pleasant. Cecilia is also an accomplished public speaker and is invited frequently to educate clients as well as professionals in related fields about estate planning. Her goal is to serve as a valuable resource to her clients and professional partners through the education she provides.

Cecilia is honored to serve as a Board member of the RCC. She sees the need for valuable resources to be made available to the LGBT community and hopes to contribute through her work with the RCC and other charitable organizations.

Member at Large - Benjamin Phillips-Leseñana
Member Since 2009
Director of Community Outreach and Member Services,
California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce

California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce

Benjamin has worked with Fortune 100 Companies, privately-owned businesses and not-for-profit financial institutions. Benjamin brings a deep breadth of managerial experience and knowledge spanning across several world-class organizations, such as Pacific Bell, SBC Communications, FDI Collateral Management, The Golden 1 Credit Union, Solano First Federal Credit Union, and Sacramento Sustainability Forum.

Additionally, Benjamin serves on the Board of Sacramento Metropolitan Lions, contributes to the Metro EDGE Regional Action Committee, and serves as Vice Chair of the SMUD Community Advisory Panel. Benjamin was recognized as the 2011 Ambassador of the Year for the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce and as a 2011 40 Under 40 Finalist by the Sacramento Business Journal.

As Director of Community Outreach and Member Service for the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce (CAPCC), Benjamin brings with him his enthusiasm and drive, to coach and mentor others towards measurable results and successful partnerships. Benjamin’s current personal goals are to collaborate with others in building a stronger economy for California’s small businesses and integrating new green opportunities.

Beyond his profession, whether it is biking around town, rafting on the river, shredding powder while snowboarding, supporting local farmer's markets, or volunteering with a local green organization, Benjamin has a long-standing appreciation for outdoor activities, which bring out the passion and desire of doing what is right for our environment.

Member at Large - Megan Lawrence
Member Since 2009
Broker, Premier Benefits Solutions

Premier Benefits Solutions

Megan Lawrence is a broker for Premier Benefits Solutions, a provider of strategic insurance solutions for employers. As a Rainbow Chamber of Commerce member, Megan has served on the Membership Committee and has been a familiar friendly face behind the registration table at Chamber mixers since 2009. In addition to her involvement with the Chamber, Megan volunteers each month at her children’s school.

Her goal as a Board Member at Large is to help RCC continue to stay on course, to grow, prosper and stay focused on its core mission, in order to maximize the benefits to our Chamber members.

Member at Large - Michael Sestak
Member Since 2002
Owner and Principal Designer, Sestak Lighting Design

Sestak Lighting Design

Michael is a founding member of the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce and is the owner and principal designer of Sestak Lighting Design. In 2000, Michael began his business serving the Sacramento region with innovative lighting solutions for residential and commercial clients. He also creates unique custom lights and light sculptures using glass, steel and acrylic materials. His projects include the Badlands nightclub, L Street Lofts, the Lyon Village shopping center and many well known residential clients.

In a prior career, he served as a pastry chef at the legendary Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco and went on to work in both corporate catering and a number of the City’s finest restaurants. He was the first pastry chef at the Hyatt Regency when it opened in Sacramento, and later he worked at Ettore’s European Bakery as well.

Michael is no stranger to public service and local politics. For the past 20 years he has been involved with CAPPAC, Stonewall Democratic Club of Sacramento, as well as many local and state election campaigns. He currently serves as Board Member of Capital City Aids Fund as Chair of the Oscar Night.

On June 17, 2008, Michael married his longtime partner Dennis Mangers in a public ceremony when marriage became legal in California. They count nearly 20 years together and live in Carmichael.

Member at Large - Joey O'Shea
Member Since 2010
Event Coordinator and Executive Assistant, David Sobon Auctions

David Sobon Auctions

Born and raised in Orange County, California, 23 year-old Joey O'Shea attended Villa Park High School and later Saddleback College, where he studied Interior Design and Business. After moving to Sacramento in February 2010, Joey quickly found him dream job working as an Event Coordinator and Executive Assistant at David Sobon Auctions, a position that has helped him build connects with many people in the non-profit industry.

Since moving to Sacramento, Joey has immersed himself in the community, volunteering for organizations such as the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center, Trevor Project, Equality Action Now, Rainbow Chamber Foundation, American Heart Association, SACTO, Sacramento Film Festival, PHEF, Sacramento Ballet, SCA, CARH, Weave, SPCA, Lambda Players and Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce.

When he isn’t volunteering or working, Joey is an avid runner and enjoys biking around town on his beach cruiser. He resides in Sacramento with his cat, Obama, named after one of the great influences in his life. Joey’s many goals include establishing a gay youth homeless shelter and life-skills training program.

Member at Large - Felicia Johnson
Member Since 2009
Cheesemonger, Taylor's Market

Taylor's Market

Felicia Johnson, 24, joined the staff of Taylor’s Market and Taylor’s Kitchen, a Sacramento gourmet food institution established in 1962, seven years ago. She has served as the Cheesemonger for Taylor’s for the past five years, handling all cheese-related issues for the market and restaurant.

Felicia helped establish a series of semi-annual and annual fundraising events hosted by Taylor’s supporting LGBT organizations and causes. In 2003, as a high school student, Felicia founded one of the first GSA chapters in Placer County, California, at Del Oro High School. She has been a member of the Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce since 2009 and was recently elected to the RCC board of directors.

Rainbow Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors 2011-2012

Rainbow Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors 2011-2012