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A Sacramento native, Sulema Peterson is an accomplished event planner and association management leader who is recognized as an expert in the Sacramento event and association management industry. With over twenty years of experience, she has worked in all aspects of the industry and prides herself on ensuring her client’s investments in their events yield a positive return and guarantee continued growth and success for their organizations.
Her passion for events, people, and education has led her to serve in both the private and non-profit sectors. In addition to Sulema Peterson & Associates, Ms. Peterson serves as the Executive Director of the State Association of County Retirement Systems (SACRS), a non-profit retirement system association in California. In this capacity she is responsible for the implementation of the association's strategic plan and visions, management of all events, editor of all publications including SACRS Magazine, and overseeing the day-to-day business operations for the association.
Ms. Peterson's gifts of organization, attention to detail, creative imagination, concept design, contagious enthusiasm, and the ability to cultivate strong relationships has earned her a reputation for unparalleled excellence as an event planner and association management professional. She is an active member of the event industry and believes in giving back to the community and industry through volunteering and sponsorship of local programs. Ms. Peterson was recently awarded the Rising Star Award for MPI Sacramento/Sierra Nevada Chapter for 2017-2018 and serves as the chapter’s Vice President.
Prior to founding Sulema Peterson & Associates, she provided association management and event services for several clients at Shaw/Yoder/Antwih, LLC and Strategic Local Government Services. Ms. Peterson began her career as support staff at the California State Assembly and for Peterson Consulting Inc, a legislative advocacy firm alongside her late husband, David Peterson and father-in-law Don Peterson.