EBALDC Appoints Lina Sheth as Interim CEO

For Immediate Release: May 1, 2023
Contact: Vicki Shu | vshu@ebaldc.org | 646-263-6044

Oakland, CA – The East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lina Sheth as Interim Chief Executive Officer (ICEO). Sheth is a distinguished professional with over 25 years of executive experience in multiple sectors from health, human services, affordable housing, racial justice, and public policy both here in the U.S. and globally. Sheth has successfully served in nine interim executive positions that range from sustaining to transformational, and has supported organizations with operating budgets from $1 million to $30 million.  Sheth succeeds Sean Sullivan, who stepped off the Board in February to briefly serve as EBALDC’s Acting CEO following Andy Madeira’s departure.

EBALDC’s Board Chair, Kelly Drumm, commented on the Board’s decision to appoint Sheth as Interim CEO, “Lina’s steady leadership capabilities and experience assisting organizational transitions will provide structure and support to EBALDC as we continue our 48 years of impactful work creating healthy neighborhoods in the East Bay. We thank Sean for his dedication to EBALDC and service as Acting CEO during the initial stages of our leadership transition.”

In the following months, the Board will collaborate with Sheth to develop a profile of competencies and experience for EBALDC’s permanent CEO.

“As a long-term supporter of EBALDC, I am thrilled that Lina has joined EBALDC’s Executive Leadership Team,” comments Lisa Hasegawa, Vice President of the Western Region for NeighborWorks America. “She brings a wealth of leadership experience in community non-profits and organizational development that will benefit EBALDC during this transition. Nationally known for their Healthy Neighborhoods approach to community development, EBALDC is a critical anchor institution in Oakland and a valued affiliate of our NeighborWorks Network.”

In addition to her broad experience working within and alongside Black, Asian, and Latinx communities, Sheth holds a Master’s in Public Health from Boston University and is a certified leadership coach from the Coaches Training Institute.

States Sheth, “I am pleased to serve as the Interim CEO for EBALDC during this time, in community and with leadership, to steward this stellar anchor institution to continue to build, sustain, and connect more healthy communities in our neighborhoods in the East Bay.”