Our Team

Maren Conrad

Chief Executive Officer

Maren is the visionary leader behind The Jacquelyn, shaping its identity and mission alongside Conrad, an artist and community builder dedicated to fostering an innovative social club. Passionate about using art to create spaces for connection and creativity, Maren founded The Jacquelyn as a tribute to a dear friend and a response to the need for meaningful social experiences. As an accomplished muralist, her large-scale works transform cityscapes into shared spaces of wonder, where art belongs to everyone, inspiring joy and imagination in all who encounter it.

Elizabeth Wood

Chief Operating Officer

Elizabeth is the metronome of The Jacquelyn, driving process improvement, quality, and resource optimization while managing HR, internal operations, and tech stack. She ensures seamless member experiences, from billing to the member portal. With a career built on operational excellence and team development, she joined The Jacquelyn to merge her passion for efficiency with a focus on health and wellness. A former figure skater and ballet dancer, Elizabeth’s love for music, fashion, and global travel fuels her creative spirit, inspiring a life centered on growth, culture, and holistic well-being.

Mary Daffin

Chief Grande Dame

Mary is the Grande Dame of The Jacquelyn, embodying its spirit as the trusted guide for tours and speaking engagements. With a career rooted in the fashion industry, she earned her stripes producing events for top American designers and has orchestrated celebrity gatherings in major cities—though her NDAs keep the details under wraps! After a lifetime of travels, she knows there’s no place like home—or The Jacquelyn. To recharge, Mary enjoys reading, traveling, working out, and sharing meals with loved ones, always ready to belt out a bold Happy Birthday to her friends.

Yusuf Topal

Cellar co-owner

Yusuf Topal, part owner of the Cellar at The Jacquelyn, plays a key role in building and operating the space, ensuring exceptional service and collaborating with chefs to craft a Mediterranean-inspired menu. Born in Turkey and raised in Istanbul, he moved to the U.S. in 2009 after an eight-year career on a celebrity cruise line, working his way up in the restaurant industry to become a successful restaurateur. He now operates four restaurants, including Jayna Gyro and Tarla. Committed to giving back, Yusuf actively supports local schools, churches, and nonprofits like the Boys & Girls Club and the V Foundation.

Christine Alward

Experience Director

Christine Alward, Gallery Director and Lead Photographer, spearheads The Jacquelyn’s Resident Artist Program, fostering creative risk-taking and artistic exploration. She also captures the club’s energy through special photo offerings and event photography. With over a decade of freelance experience, Christine’s journey to The Jacquelyn was shaped by her work curating the photographic legacy of namesake Jackie Anderson, inspiring her dedication to supporting artists. Off the clock, she’s often behind the camera, exploring deserts, botanical gardens, and scenic road trips while cultivating her own garden and expanding her botanical fine art series.

Larrissa Liberko

Food & Beverage Director

Larrissa, our Director of Food and Beverage, brings 14 years of experience spanning live music venues to Michelin-starred restaurants. A former assistant sommelier and wine director, she is passionate about curating exceptional wine pairings and crafting unforgettable dining experiences. Raised in Carmichael, she grew up immersed in Sacramento’s Farm-to-Fork movement, shaping her dedication to fresh, locally sourced ingredients. With a background in fine dining at top Sacramento restaurants, she continuously elevates the guest experience. Beyond The Jacquelyn, Larrissa channels her creativity through videography and painting, capturing stories on film and exploring vibrant, abstract art.

Taylor Lovelace

Executive Chef

Taylor Lovelace brings her vast culinary experience to The Jacquelyn, focusing on elevating the dining experience with her farm-to-table approach. Originally from Sacramento and raised in Folsom, Taylor’s expertise spans from fine dining, including Sacramento’s renowned ‘The Kitchen,’ to her previous role as Executive Chef at JJ Pfister. She has a passion for sourcing seasonal ingredients and creating fresh, vibrant dishes that reflect the region’s rich food culture. Outside of the kitchen, Taylor nurtures her creativity through painting, writing, and living a life fueled by artistic expression.

Emily Terras

Food & Beverage Programming Manager

Emily, our Food and Beverage Programming Manager, blends over a decade of restaurant industry expertise with a passion for event production to create memorable experiences for The Jacquelyn’s members. With a background in writing and mixology, she has contributed to some of Midtown’s most iconic music events while honing her craft in high-volume bars. Originally from San Jose, Emily’s journey led her to Sacramento, where she thrived in the city’s vibrant hospitality scene. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, live music, literature, and hosting gatherings that bring people together.

Amanda McDade

Communications Manager

As The Jacquelyn’s Communications Manager, Amanda McDade oversees all aspects of marketing and communications, ensuring that every detail aligns with the club’s brand. She designs event signage, creates special event menus, manages social media content, and produces Member Newsletters, maintaining cohesive messaging across platforms. With over 10 years of experience in brand development and design, Amanda is passionate about crafting compelling brand narratives and visually stunning designs. In addition to her role at The Jacquelyn, she’s a skilled photographer, capturing life’s milestones with a focus on maternity, newborn, and family photography. Outside of work, Amanda enjoys spending time with her son, family, and friends, and unwinding with evening paddleboard rides on the water.

Loli Ramos

IT Operations Manager

Loli leads the development and execution of The Jacquelyn’s IT strategy and serves as the acting Systems Administrator, ensuring seamless operation of all systems—from network management to communication infrastructure. She oversees both software and hardware, including POS systems and member management tools, collaborating with various departments to enhance the member experience and daily operations. With over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry and a professional background specializing in restaurant technologies and restaurant IT management, Loli feels her role at The Jacquelyn is truly kismet. Outside of work, she enjoys music festivals, traveling, painting, reading, and creating music.

Julia McPherson

Membership Operations Manager

Julia, our Membership Operations Manager at The Jacquelyn, ensures seamless team operations by optimizing back-of-house processes. She also writes content for our events, The Jacquelyn Journal and JAX Exchange Magazine. Rooted in Lodi’s farm-to-fork culture, Julia honed her hospitality expertise at Wine & Roses and Mulvaney’s B&L while earning a degree in Political Science and Journalism. As a former freelance journalist, she celebrated Sacramento’s food scene before pivoting to finance and commercial real estate, where she refined her skills in project management and operations. Outside of work, Julia enjoys writing, painting, and exploring local restaurants and the outdoors.

Gia O’Neal

Membership Manager

Gia, the Daytime Membership Manager at The Jacquelyn, brings 15 years of experience from the beauty industry, where she honed her talent for transforming everyday interactions into unforgettable moments. A founding member drawn to the club’s vibrant community, she is passionate about building connections and ensuring every member feels a sense of belonging. Outside of work, Gia loves traveling—having visited over 20 countries—and embraces cultural exchanges, gastronomy, and libations.

Lane Reisig

Evening Floor Manager

Lane serves as the Black Box Events Manager at The Jacquelyn, overseeing a variety of performances—including music and comedy—during nighttime and weekend events. Focused on creating an inclusive atmosphere for members and staff, Lane joined The Jacquelyn after relocating to Midtown, eager to contribute to Sacramento’s cultural scene. Outside of work, he is passionate about climbing, surfing, and collaborating on musical projects, while cherishing strong connections with friends and family.

Quinlin Fischer

Executive assistant

Quinlin, the Executive Assistant at The Jacquelyn, ensures seamless daily operations by managing communication, coordination, and project support for the leadership team. Born and raised in Sacramento, she attended UCLA—earning a B.A. in Korean Studies with an East Asian minor—and brings seven years of customer service experience. Initially planning to move to Korea, Quinlin found her home at The Jacquelyn. Outside of work, she channels her creativity through baking, crafting, travel, and cherishing moments with friends and family.

Diana Cuevas

Events Lead

Diana Cuevas is dedicated to curating exceptional private and member events at The Jacquelyn, where her keen organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail create seamless, elegant experiences. A Sacramento native with a background in wedding and event management, she returned to her hometown after studying Hospitality with an emphasis on Events Management. Drawn to The Jacquelyn for its unique community, Diana’s passion shines through in every thoughtfully crafted gathering. When she’s not designing events, she enjoys antiquing, painting, and she often attends events as a guest to savor the magic firsthand.

Hunter Conrad

Member Services Lead

As The Jacquelyn’s Member Services Coordinator, Hunter Conrad promotes the club and its programming by giving tours and welcoming both current and prospective members. A hands-on team member born and raised in Sacramento, he has witnessed his city’s transformation into a vibrant social hub. Inspired by his mother, Maren—the CEO of The Jacquelyn—Hunter joined the team to help create a unique and impactful space. Currently taking a semester off from Pepperdine University, where he studies Film and Screen Arts, he is excited to engage with the creative minds passing through The Jacquelyn.

Matthew Walker

sous Chef

As Sous Chef at The Jacquelyn, Matthew brings passion, precision, and a knack for innovation to every dish he creates. Whether crafting allergy-friendly options, curating exciting happy hour menus, or inviting members to contribute to new dishes, he ensures every dining experience is memorable. His culinary journey began in the dish room, learning under chefs from all backgrounds—including Executive Chef Taylor—and was rekindled after a brief hiatus during COVID-19. Beyond cooking, Matthew’s artistry shines through his poetry, band performances, and volunteer work at food banks.