References & Partners
Relationships built through shared work.
Annie helped us renegotiate terms with our SaaS partners, significantly reducing our expenses without sacrificing any level of service. She is exceptionally knowledgeable, approachable, and friendly, which made her a pleasure to work with. Her organization kept our operations running smoothly and without fuss, and I'd recommend her to any team looking to get more out of their vendor relationships.
Brian Smith
Co-Founder, Raindrop Digital
Former colleague at FullStack · Worked together 2018–2026.
I've seen Annie face the kind of decision most people would avoid entirely, and she met it with clarity, courage, and a firm sense of what was right. She's at her best when things are complicated and the stakes are high: she weighs the situation honestly, then acts decisively, even when it isn't easy. She pairs that steadiness with real warmth, and people trust her for it. That's exactly who you want helping your business.
Brianne S.
Vice President, Assistant General Counsel
Speaking in a personal capacity.
Annie was instrumental in helping me build a new team and establish operational excellence in a new market. She brings a rare combination of intuition, curiosity, patience, and strong decision-making. She has a natural ability to ask the right questions, see the bigger picture, and help turn challenges into opportunities.
Jennifer Ford
West Area Lead, On
Former colleague at Coach · Worked together 2007–2013.
I had the pleasure of working alongside Annie in her role as VP of Operations during my tenure as head of finance. Though her title was in operations, she was a resource for the entire organization, and colleagues from every department turned to her for guidance.
When I joined as head of finance, Annie had been managing accounting and finance until the role was filled. She had learned an area well outside her own, and her handoff made my transition seamless. She continued to support me on many projects beyond operations, always willing to roll up her sleeves.
What stands out most is her resourcefulness. If she doesn't know something, she learns it. That combination of curiosity, drive, and generosity makes her an asset to any team or client.
Chris Gioe
Head of Finance, DefenseStorm
Former colleague at FullStack Labs · Worked together August 2023–February 2024.
I had the pleasure of working with Annie for several years. During that time I witnessed her ability to build strong, productive relationships that translated into meaningful operational improvements and revenue growth. Annie consistently exercised excellent independent judgment, and demonstrated strong problem-solving skills with a clear focus on identifying and leveraging the opportunities that would have the greatest impact on business performance. She is a strategic thinker and gets results!
Julie Lazar
Former manager at Pacific Dental Services · Worked together 2016–2018.
Explore Annie’s background and operational experience →
Preferred Partners
| Company | Owners | What they do | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raindrop Digital | Brian Smith and Lauren Beam | Digital product development and AI workflow automation for startups and small businesses. | raindropdigital.com |
Local favorites
A few places and people I’m happy to recommend—from a good meal to help around the house.
These are personal recommendations, separate from Sense Make’s professional partners.
Good food & sweet treats
Rocklin Donuts & Cinnamon
Rocklin · Donuts & cinnamon rolls
Four Sisters Cafe
Roseville · Breakfast & lunch
The Chef’s Table
Rocklin · Neighborhood restaurant
Mezcalito
Rocklin · Oaxacan cuisine
Il Pizzaiolo
Loomis · Wood-fired pizza
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
Roseville · Ice cream
Q1227 Restaurant
Roseville · Modern comfort food
Karen’s Bakery & Cafe
Folsom · Bakery & cafe
Community & learning
Loomis Basin Charter School
Loomis · School
Marlene’s Daycare
Rocklin · Childcare
Byers Gymnastics Center
Gymnastics
Help around the house
A to Z Window Screens
Window screens & screen doors
RainSoft
Water treatment brand
Diana’s Cleaning Service
Cleaning
Roberto’s Landscaping
Landscaping
Stanley Taylor
Rocklin · Backflow testing
ESFR Remodeling
Remodeling
The Rug Specialist
Rug services

