A brand and marketing strategy leader with agency and in-house experience across beverage, lifestyle, and consumer goods, Anna Frizzell helps brands clarify where they compete, identify growth opportunities, and turn strategy into execution. Her work spans brand architecture, positioning, messaging, and integrated marketing across retail, direct-to-consumer, and eCommerce.

Anna also specializes in brand innovation and new product development—shaping concepts, packaging design, and go-to-market strategy. Partnering closely with cross-functional teams, she connects strategy, creativity, and execution to build brands people remember and develop systems teams can run.

I am committed to promoting health and gender equity in underserved communities by improving access to resources and opportunities. My experience spans nonprofits, academia, health services, and philanthropy, where I’ve led programs, teams, and projects to drive meaningful impact. I specialize in program management, strategic planning, evaluation, grantmaking, and budget oversight, strongly focusing on collaboration and community engagement.

Jim has lived and worked in Nevada County for 16 years, bringing a diverse background in business management, finance, and creative problem-solving. Throughout his career, he has held leadership roles in multiple industries, including commercial and residential construction, a biomass energy startup, and a utility support services company. With expertise in accounting, brand development, marketing, and strategic planning, Jim has served as CFO, CCO, and Marketing Director, developing budgets, business proposals, and financial strategies.

He is also a professional photographer and graphic designer, with experience lecturing at Sierra College and Consumnes River College. Passionate about fostering ethical and sustainable business growth, Jim is excited to contribute his skills to Sierra Commons, supporting local entrepreneurs and strengthening the regional economy.

With a background in marketing and fundraising for educational institutions and small nonprofits, Eli Bacon specializes in project management, operations, and organizational leadership. Eli has an MBA from University of San Francisco with a focus on Marketing and wrote his thesis on authentic leadership. Eli currently serves as Executive Director of Sierra Harvest, a small nonprofit focused on building sustainable food systems for rural communities.

Eli is passionate about good food and has been an entrepreneur having owned a small retail store in Sacramento. Eli is excited to work with all of Sierra Commons' stakeholders to build new opportunities for small businesses in Nevada County and beyond.

Jade Ann is a chef, consultant and restaurateur with more than 20 years of experience in the Bay area culinary world. 

Today, she owns Petra, a Modern Mediterranean restaurant in downtown Nevada City. Petra partners closely with local farms to bring seasonal produce and high-quality ingredients to every dish. Jade’s cooking reflects a deep respect for traditional Mediterranean cuisine while celebrating the agricultural richness of Northern California — creating vibrant flavors rooted in sustainability.

Leslie works as the Registry Manager for the In Home Supportive Services Program at Connecting Point where she has worked for over 15 years.  Before moving to Nevada City, Leslie worked at a non-profit children's agency in Pasadena.  While working in the development department there, she honed her grants, fundraising, and volunteer recruitment skills.  These skills have been put to good use in her role at Connecting Point where she oversees recruitment, enrollment and payroll for caregivers in the program.

Inspired by the impactful work at Sierra Commons, Leslie aims to contribute her development experience to support the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs in our community.

Amber is a product and brand marketing leader with extensive experience driving growth through strategic positioning, go-to-market execution, and customer-centric storytelling. Her background spans product marketing, digital strategy, and event production, where she has led high-impact experiences that elevate brands, build community and drive engagement.

A former Sierra Commons program participant, Amber brings both professional expertise and firsthand program insight to the Board of Directors, where she will provide strategic guidance to support organizational growth and expand Sierra Commons’ impact for entrepreneurs and small businesses in rural communities.

Coryon’s background includes being an executive, entrepreneur, consultant, teacher, speaker, and the CEO of both Batteries4less.com and Coryon.com Internet Marketing. As a Solar Design Consultant at SunPower by Alternative Energy Systems, Coryon is currently focused on changing how people get their power.

Koah Doud is a business attorney who recently moved to Nevada City and is looking to connect with and support the local small business community. Koah works with small businesses at all points in their lifecycle, from founding through operational issues to successful exits. His work focuses on contracts and agreements, helping business owners to develop sustainable relationships with partners, investors, vendors, customers, employees and others.

Koah began his career working with Wall Street firms and Fortune 100 companies before moving on to work with small businesses. He is now transitioning from his career as a lawyer to working as a psychotherapist, and he is hoping to be an affordable resource for small businesses in the community as he makes that transition.

Katie Johnson is the General Manager of Bodhi Hive in Nevada City, a multi-use creative campus supporting 90+ tenant offices, artist studios, and event spaces. She serves as Northern California Regional Dressing Room Coordinator for Live Nation, bringing extensive experience in artist relations, operations, and large-scale event management.

Katie’s background spans music, hospitality, wellness, and healthcare. She began working in the music industry at 13 as a stagehand, later leading backstage hospitality for WorldFest and supporting operations at The Center for the Arts. She is a graduate of the California College of Ayurveda, previously ran a wellness practice in downtown Nevada City, and holds a degree in Health Information Technology. She brings a collaborative, systems-focused leadership approach and is passionate about community building, live music, the outdoors, and raising her two children.

Robert has been consulting with rural small businesses for over 25 years, bringing extensive expertise in planning, marketing, and public relations. As a business advisor with the Sierra Small Business Development Center and a business educator, he has guided hundreds of entrepreneurs in launching, growing, and selling their businesses.

In recognition of his contributions, the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce honored Robert as the 2024 Business Person of the Year. He also received the Sierra SBDC Center Star Award for positively impacting business development across a five-county region. A seasoned entrepreneur, grant writer, and course facilitator, he holds an M.A. in Instructional Technologies from San Francisco State University and is committed to fostering thriving, sustainable economies in rural communities throughout the West.

Mani Niall is a chef, baker, entrepreneur, and author of four cookbooks. He founded two successful bakery-cafés, served as Executive Chef for Just Desserts, and now works as a hands-on food R&D chef, helping startups and national brands develop new products. As Lead Instructor and Advisor for Sierra Commons’ Food Entrepreneur Accelerator, Mani brings decades of culinary and business experience to support the next generation of food entrepreneurs.

Jason brings over 20 years of Technology and Video production experience to the team. He has worked with a wide variety of organizations and businesses to provide design, content and technical support.

He also brings his passion for locally grown food and culinary arts to support food entrepreneurs and the regional food web.