“WE WERE MEANT TO BE BUILDING THIS COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW, FOR THIS MOMENT, WITH THESE INCREDIBLE PEOPLE.”
Step inside The Jacquelyn and you’ll notice right away: there’s a vibe that is equally calming and energizing. Yes, the building is stunning, the cocktails and mocktails are dangerously good, and the events feel like magic, but what really makes The Jacquelyn come alive are the two women shaping its heartbeat. Meet Mary Daffin and Elizabeth Wood: the powerhouse duo building a community that makes walking in easy and being welcomed, certain.
Individually, Mary and Elizabeth are extraordinary on their own. Together, they’re unstoppable. Strategic builders at heart, they approach challenges from different angles but always meet on the same path forward. They’ve learned that what people really want is to feel seen – safe enough to be themselves and inspired enough to grow. And they’ve built exactly that.
Moments That Matter
Mary is the soul of The Jacquelyn. From the earliest days of the project, she’s been the knowledge keeper, the one who remembers every detail, every intention, and every story that shaped the club’s culture. She orchestrates the building much like a symphony: elevating experiences that continually surprise members, ensuring that every room, every moment, hits just the right note.
She loves creating those unexpected touches that make members’ eyes widen and hearts lift. “There’s nothing better than standing back, listening to the sounds of the club in full swing: the clinking of glasses in The Gallery, the hum of book club in The Library, and the laughter spilling out of a private event downstairs.”
Mary embodies the Gertrude Stein legacy, bringing together people who might never cross paths elsewhere and fostering conversations that ripple outward long after they’ve left the building. Every room, she says, has its own personality – its own little wink from Jackie herself. And Mary’s gift is drawing out that personality and turning it into an experience.
Purpose Meets Possibility
Elizabeth is the architect who created The Jacquelyn’s entire operational foundation from scratch – no roadmap, just vision. She’s the strategic force who continuously streamlines the infrastructure, shapes the communication approach, and manages the financial backbone to keep everything running seamlessly behind the scenes.
For Elizabeth, the essence of The Jacquelyn is in those moments of discovery. “What drives me is creating opportunities for our members to grow and learn,” Elizabeth explains. “Whether it’s a thoughtful conversation, a new skill, or simply a moment of clarity, I want people to leave The Jacquelyn feeling more fulfilled than when they arrived. When that inspiration spreads beyond our walls into the broader Sacramento community, we’ve achieved something truly meaningful.”
The Future of The Jacquelyn
The vision for the future is all about becoming an anchor of Sacramento – keeping what works, rethinking what doesn’t, and adding experiences that bring people together.
“We’ll be the first to admit it,” they laugh. “In our first year, we had incredibly high expectations. Maybe too high, which turned out to be quite the undertaking.” With year one under their belts, Elizabeth and Mary feel this project is their destiny and have emerged with crystal-clear focus.
What Lies Ahead…
Expanding Sacramento’s Art Scene:
Quarterly resident artist exhibitions will transform our walls into living galleries, offering early glimpses of artists you’ll want to claim you spotted first. And then there are the serendipitous moments; the kind where you find yourself sipping a cocktail beside an artist, swapping stories, and walking away with an original piece that feels like it was meant just for you.
Creating Full-Evening Experiences:
As summer winds down and members return from their adventures, the team is crafting evenings where you don’t just pop in for a single event. Think Happiness Hours that flow into live music and comedy shows, with plenty of opportunities to keep you engaged.
Events That Engage All Five Senses:
The programming philosophy remains steadfast: create quarterly experiences that are big and bold and keep day-to-day offerings that are consistent and engaging. The programming is designed to awaken your senses, spark curiosity, and leave you thinking, “That was worth it.”
Redefining Sac Proud:
One of the best compliments we hear is the surprise at finding a place like this in the heart of Sacramento. The Jacquelyn feels like a cultural hideaway you’d expect in Paris, yet it’s right here in our own city. That sense of discovery is part of the vision, showing that Sacramento is every bit as vibrant, layered, and elevated – no plane ticket required.
Let’s Clear This Up:
The Jacquelyn welcomes all. While we’re proudly women-led, our membership and programming are designed for anyone who values intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and authentic community. We’re co-ed by design.
