East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation’s CEO Joshua Simon to Step Down from Organization After Nearly 20 Years in Leadership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 10, 2020

Press Contacts: 

Layla Crater, layla@change-llc.com, 310-804-3107

Jill Kunishima, jkunishima@ebaldc.org, 510-606-1823

OAKLAND, CA — As part of a defined succession plan, East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) today announced that Joshua Simon will step down from the position of Chief Executive Officer in October 2020 after spending nearly two decades as a champion for EBALDC’s unique approach to community development. EBALDC’s Board of Directors will launch a selection committee to identify EBALDC’s next CEO.

“Joshua Simon’s innovative and bold leadership has propelled EBALDC’s vision of building healthy and equitable neighborhoods in Oakland and the East Bay and for that we couldn’t be more grateful,” said Sean Sullivan, Chair of EBALDC’s Board of Directors. “Thanks to his leadership, EBALDC is now one of the leading developers of affordable housing in the region, and our model for community development is having national impact. Our impact in addressing the most pressing needs of Oakland and East Bay residents would not be possible without him and the team that he was critical in cultivating.”

Simon pioneered EBALDC’s Housing Acquisition Fund, an innovative approach to preserving affordable housing and stabilizing neighborhoods at risk of increasing rents and displacement. Most recently, he led EBALDC’s immediate policy advocacy response to the COVID-19 pandemic to help residents access what they needed to stay safe, healthy and well during the crisis. Last year, EBALDC and partners opened 94 new units of affordable housing at Casa Arabella, the second phase of the Fruitvale Transit Village, and the organization has 1,000 additional units in the pipeline thanks to Simon’s dedication and perseverance in addressing the affordability crisis.

“Joshua’s leadership in shaping EBALDC — and the community development field in the Bay Area — with an emphasis on collaboration has been critical to meeting the needs of our residents and neighbors, and centering their vision for what they want for their communities,” said Charise Fong, COO of EBALDC. “Joshua will be missed. He leads with his heart and strives to ensure that our communities work for everyone.”

Earlier in his tenure as part of EBALDC’s Real Estate Development department, Simon led some of the organization’s most iconic projects including developing Swan’s Market into the community gathering place and small business hub that it is today. He took the helm of EBALDC following the Great Recession and went on to successfully double the size of the organization. He played a pivotal role in expanding EBALDC’s Healthy Neighborhoods Approach to community development, which focuses on creating stable and permanently affordable neighborhoods, increasing income and wealth building opportunities for low-income residents, lifting up resident engagement and leadership, and supporting strong networks at the neighborhood level. 

“Our people are our greatest asset,” said Simon. “The work we accomplished together would not have been possible without the strength of EBALDC’s teams, who act and speak from a place of equity, and are fully dedicated to our vision for healthy neighborhoods. It has been an honor to work with such a diverse set of dedicated leaders who have enabled EBALDC to become a pillar in so many of Oakland’s communities where people can now connect with each other and grow together.”

Simon’s final day with EBALDC will be October 30, 2020. The organization will honor his achievements at the annual gala celebrating EBALDC’s 45th anniversary in September, details to come at EBALDC.org. 

About East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation:

East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC) is a nonprofit community development organization celebrating 45 years of bringing people and resources together to build healthy, vibrant and safe neighborhoods where everyone has a place to call home. EBALDC partners with residents and local leaders to co-create neighborhood solutions in which many community leaders, businesses and residents plays a role in shaping their future. This work supports people connecting with each other and growing together. EBALDC is one of the East Bay’s leading Community Development Corporations serving 5,000 people annually. For more information, visit www.ebaldc.org. On Twitter @EBALDC