REF Sacramento
Leaders Powered by Collective Intelligence
Peer Forums for Top-Tier Business Leaders in Sacramento, Fresno & Reno
Members access the collective intelligence of their peers in an environment of trust and confidentiality, both locally and globally.
At REF, we propel collective intelligence through a personal, professional, and business development approach, empowering our members to achieve extraordinary growth and impact.
We proudly serve the Sacramento, Fresno, and Reno regions, covering the Greater Sacramento area, Stockton, Modesto, Fresno, Bakersfield, Reno, and Tahoe. Our extensive coverage ensures that leaders across these dynamic communities can connect, collaborate, and thrive.
REF, formerly "Renaissance Executive Forums" is a global organization that brings together peer advisory boards for top-tier business executives.
Forum Groups are the core of the different REFs memberships.
Members access the Collective Intelligence of their Peers in an environment of Trust and Confidentiality.
Founded in the USA 30 years ago.
Peer advisory board comprised of 12 to 15 CEOs, Presidents, Owners (depending on membership type)
Non-competing industries
Meet one morning a month
Facilitated by a certified REF Forum Leader
Safe space for discussion and debate
Culture of transparency, trust and confidentiality
In their Forum Groups, Members present their biggest challenges and exchange constructive, actionable advice from a diversity of perspectives. This gives them the clarity they need to find transcendent solutions and achieve their personal, professional and business goals.
Access to REF's app: Network & Digital Community
Expert Insights: Webinars with Experts about major shifts and trends.
Industry & Interest Networks: International Forum Groups, exchange of best practices and opportunities.
Events: Global, Regional & Local Network.
Unique Experiences: Curated trips, leisure & retreats.
Improved decision-making
Accelerated personal, professional and business growth
Global network of Business Leaders
Meaningful relationships
At REF, Members tap into the wisdom that emerges from the Collective Intelligence of leaders with exceptional backgrounds.
REF provides a unique space where members gain clarity to make their most important and challenging business, professional and personal decisions.
Selective trust-based Forum Groups made up of top-tier business leaders (by invitation only).
Forum Groups led by Forum leaders with business experience.
Case method.
Holistic approach: Personal, professional, and business growth.
Continuous education through leading professionals.
Introspection, reflection, and planning.
We believe evolved and connected leaders are a positive force in the world.
Meet our Team in REF Sacramento
I have over 30 years of experience featuring CEO/President and executive roles with Fortune 100, small and midsized CPG and Foodservice manufacturers, strategic management consulting and executive coaching. My sense of purpose in life and passion is developing people and businesses to their fullest potential. My business philosophy centers around helping to position companies for sustainable, profitable growth by collaborating with leadership teams to create highly differentiated go to market strategies that are unique and ownable. As a Forum Leader, I ensure that we have highly engaged, growth and learner-oriented CEO’s and Executives at the table. Then I foster an environment of trust, vulnerability and respectful challenge to get the very best thinking on the table for members issues, challenges and opportunities.
I spent 30 years in sales, business development, and strategy roles in both Fortune 500 firms and SMB's. Much of this time was spent working with some of the leading technology and innovation companies in the world such as Verizon, Intel, Cisco, Apple, Microsoft, Kaiser and more. At the same time, I was always working on my own startup on the side. The entrepreneur drive has always been a big part of who I am. To that end, I went back and got my doctorate in strategy and innovation so that I could focus on helping startups and large firms innovate better, so they can solve real problems and create competitive advantages. I currently lead a CFO peer group in the greater Sacramento region and am starting a new CEO peer group. My goal is to integrate my real-world corporate experience, education, and teaching experience to provide executives with a unique peer learning experience. I want to create a fun, open group culture where members can learn new skills, change mindsets, and make better decisions that help them reach their personal and professional goals.
With over 20 years of experience in Human Resources and Leadership Development I bring a unique approach to Leading and Learning. Throughout my career I have enabled leaders to achieve success by creating an environment of collaboration and accountability. As a Leadership Consultant I help small and medium sized organizations achieve their goals through their people. Being a Forum Leader is a natural extension of this work. Often CHRO’s do not have a place to go to seek guidance. They are the ones supporting the rest of the organization. Our CHRO Forum facilitates senior HR Leaders in carving out time for personal and professional growth so that they can be strategic partners for their organizations. Strong HR Leaders know that having a People Strategy that aligns with the Business Strategy is the way results are achieved. Our Forum brings the sharpest minds together to lift our member businesses to new heights.
Our Purpose
Is to accelerate the personal, professional, and business evolution of our Members, because we believe evolved and connected leaders are a positive force in the world.
CEO of a mid-sized, growing company $30M – $200M+, who is an open-minded continuous learner, respected as a leader, willing to share and be vulnerable, and skilled at solving strategic issues and opportunities.
They desire “true peers” who will be highly invested in each other’s success and be held accountable for achieving personal, professional, and business growth.
Fierce CEOs meet quarterly for transformative sessions focused on strategic, high-impact issues, emphasizing bold, visionary thinking over tactical discussions.
Unforgettable Experiences: Quarterly out-of-town overnight meetings foster deep trust and camaraderie through member deep dives, extraordinary activities, and meaningful firepit conversations. The following day focuses on solving strategic challenges and driving BIG goals
Between in-person meetings, members join a 1.5-hour Zoom check-in to maintain accountability and momentum.
CEO/Business Owner of a $1-15M company where the business owner is both an individual contributor and the CEO, which makes it difficult to leave the office, job site, etc for a half-day meeting.
Meetings are monthly: with one month being virtual for 2 hours and the next month meeting in person for 2.5 hours.
Forum Meeting Agenda:
Expert Insights/Leadership Journey
Round Table Check In
Issues Processing
CFO of a $30M+ business seeking to grow their skills to become a higher level Strategic Partner for their CEO and/or looking to advance their career to the next level: COO, President or CEO.
Also seeking a circle of trust to share insights, solve issues and leverage opportunities.
This group meets in person every other month 8:30-Noon
Expert Insights/Leadership Journey
Round Table Check-In
Issues Processing
Early to Mid Level HR Leader seeking to grow personally and professionally to become a strategic partner to their organization.
They are also desire to shift the mindset in their organization to focus more on developing the team to higher levels of performance.
They also would like a circle of trust to share insights, solve issues and leverage opportunities.
This group meets in person every other month 8:30-Noon
Expert Insights/Leadership Journey
Round Table Check-In
Issues Processing
Testimonials
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“I love REF’s more time and money-efficient half-day model compared to a full-day model. The meeting format is also very flexible and focused on member needs”
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“Having the opportunity to share my wrestles, my story, and my vulnerabilities with other business leaders has been a great value add to me as a business owner.”
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“Being part of REF has given me access to a community with the most amazing group of leaders and executives across the world.”
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“Lee Self is a remarkable leader—selfless, compassionate, and deeply insightful. Her peer group has been invaluable, serving as my informal Executive Board for NSS.”
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“I found a group of individuals who were going through similar situations and can provide valuable insight to help me navigate my biggest business challenges.”
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“Our business is on pace to double revenue this year, and be more profitable than ever before. I thank everyone in my Forum Group for being a big part of my success”
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“I have really enjoyed being a part of my forum group. In particular I have appreciated being able to share on a deep level about business topics as well as personal life.”
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“When we share time truly listening to one another and our challenges, we are often able to hear beyond the surface issue and help each other go deeper”
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