Officers

Born and raised in Sacramento, Alyssa was immersed in the arts beginning in early childhood. She attended her first ballet class at the age of seven at the Crockett Dance Studio under the tutelage of the Sacramento Ballet’s Founding Artistic Director Barbara Crockett, and continued training with Crockett and at the San Francisco Ballet School until she joined the Sacramento Ballet Company in 1982. Alyssa danced with the company for seven years under the direction of Crockett, and with Artistic Director Ron Cunningham during his first season with the Ballet. Her fondest memories include realizing her childhood dream of performing the role of Clara in The Nutcracker at the Community Center Theater, and meeting sixteen of her biggest idols from the American Ballet Theater, including Mikhail Baryshnikov, when the Sacramento Ballet co-sponsored them in 1985. This momentous year also marked the inception of the Sacramento Ballet’s Outreach Program, which allowed Alyssa and fellow company members to extend the Ballet’s reach into schools and communities which otherwise would not have had the opportunity to experience the joy of dance.

Alyssa graduated from UC San Diego with a Bachelor of Science in Mammalian Physiology and Neuroscience, and a minor in Theater Literature and an emphasis in Art History. She worked as a Senior Research Technician and Lab Manager at The Scripps Research Institute in San Diego. She continued to earn a certification in Clinical Trials Administration from UC San Diego, and worked as a Clinical Trials Manager and Regional Development Director for a North Carolina-based company.

After joining the Sacramento Ballet Board in February of 2017, Alyssa is extremely honored to now serve as President for an organization so dear to her heart. Alyssa’s family has been a supporter and patron of the Sacramento Ballet for over four decades.

Alyssa resides in Carmichael, California with her husband and two children.

Partner, Hurst Brooks Espinosa, LLC

Jean Kinney Hurst brings unique and varied policy expertise in complex state and local fiscal matters to HBE clients. As a founding partner of Hurst Brooks Espinosa, LLC, Jean assists public and private sector clients with legislative issues associated with state and local finance, state budget, governance, elections, and revenue and taxation, among others.

During her 15 years as a legislative representative for the California State Association of Counties, she has developed a reputation as a tenacious problem-solver, respected advocate, and effective strategist. She has been intimately involved in all aspects of major local government fiscal policy changes, including negotiation of the securitization of $1.2 billion in “borrowed” local agency property taxes in 2009 and negotiation of the constitutional protections for 2011 realignment contained in Proposition 30 (2012).

Additionally, Jean has worked on four statewide ballot measure campaigns from pre-campaign activities – including polling, focus groups, language development, and legal and fiscal analyses – to campaigns, including fundraising, media strategy, and voter outreach. Jean also has extensive experience working with national, state, and local media, including print, television, and radio.

Jean holds a Master of Public Policy and Administration from California State University, Sacramento, in addition to a Bachelor of Science With Honors from the University of California, Davis.

Jean grew up in Fresno County and married her high school sweetheart. She has three daughters and resides in Yolo County.

“Usefulness, whatever form it may take, is the price we should pay for the air we breathe, and the food we eat, and the privilege of being alive.” Eleanor Roosevelt

Ballet has always held a fascination for me with its physical power disguised as grace and beauty, its amazingly creative choreography, and its use of all music genres. What’s not to love! I‘ve been a patron and supporter of the Sacramento Ballet for over 20 years. Being useful in any way I can to continue the vitality of the company and to encourage more people of all ages and backgrounds to experience this amazing art form is a privilege.

As co-owner of the cultural resource firm Far Western Anthropological Research Group over the past three decades, I helped document and advocate for the history and prehistory of hundreds of archaeological sites in the western United States. We were also very successful in sharing our most intriguing findings with the public through booklets, videos, signage, and curriculum, working closely with Native Americans. During this time and currently, I feel particularly “useful” as chair of the James. A. Bennyhoff Memorial Fund, supporting pioneering archaeological research. I also served as a volunteer First Responder for 17 years, driving engines and dealing with fires, sickness, and vehicle accidents at all hours. Perhaps my most cherished useful time has focused on helping animals in need by fostering, adopting, and working with horses, dogs, and cats to provide them with the best lives possible. I also make myself useful at the UC Davis Raptor Center, Yolo County Animal Shelter, and fire-evacuation facilities.