“Purpose does what nothing else can. It drives resources, creates alignment, and generates exponential impact through collaboration. Sacramento’s business community stands at the threshold of something extraordinary because when purpose aligns, transformation follows. When ACS declares its purpose to end cancer as we know it, for everyone, it’s not an aspiration – it’s a call to action that resonates with our business community’s own missions of innovation, sustainability, and community health. Through Cultivate, we’re not just bridging the gap between agricultural abundance and cancer patients’ needs; we’re creating a model that demonstrates how aligned purpose can transform cancer care across America.”

“As a registered dietitian and adjunct food and nutrition professor at Sac State, I’m thrilled to serve as the Nutrition Chair for Cultivate. This role uniquely allows me to blend my professional expertise with my personal journey as both a cancer caregiver and survivor. This campaign represents a powerful opportunity to make meaningful differences in the lives of cancer patients and caregivers throughout our region.

This event is truly one of a kind—it unites chefs, health systems, and local organizations to ignite meaningful conversations and forge powerful partnerships. It’s more than just a dinner; it’s a chance for Sacramento’s business community and leaders to come together and make a lasting difference for those in our community impacted by cancer.”

Chef Chris Barnum-Dann is the Executive Chef and Owner of Michelin Star Localis & Betty Wine Bar. His powerful purpose of ‘Trust Us To Feed You Well’ perfectly aligns with our mission to transform how we approach food and healing. Just as Chris has crafted extraordinary dining experiences at Localis, his vision for Cultivate celebrates food in its true season and place, creating authentic connections between sustainable agriculture and healing nutrition that honor Sacramento’s unique position as a produce paradise. 

Chef Santana Diaz oversees UC Davis Health’s production kitchen – one of the largest in the region – serving more than 7,000 meals a day at three locations on the Sacramento campus.

Under Diaz’s direction, UC Davis Health has transitioned into a true farm-to-fork healthy food program with locally sourced, world-class cuisine menu options. The Food and Nutrition Services food operation is a model for the other health care facilities around the state, even around the country with a commitment to sustainable, healthy food practices that promote healing and long-term health as the ultimate goal.

Chef Kelly McCown of The Kitchen brought Sacramento its first Michelin Star and has garnered numerous prestigious accolades including AAA Five Diamond Award and placement on La Liste’s top 1000. His vision and leadership have been instrumental in elevating Sacramento’s culinary community to national recognition, showcasing how food can transform both experiences and lives. This perfectly aligns with Cultivate’s mission to use culinary excellence to transform lives and drive meaningful change for cancer patients. Kelly’s perspective on breaking generational cycles and making nutritious food both special and accessible brings crucial insight to our food-is-medicine movement.