2021 Winter Alumni Profiles

Jason Acosta has been focused on low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) property management and affordable housing for more than 15 years. As Director of Asset Management at the Foundation for Affordable Housing, Jason is responsible for overseeing the organization’s diversified portfolio of low-income properties out of the Foundation’s SoCal office. In 2019, Foundation for Affordable Housing was named nationally as the TOP NONPROFIT and No. 17 on the Affordable Housing Finance (AHF) of 50 Top Developers/Owners List. As the result of our substantial portfolio growth, Foundation for Affordable Housing was also named No. 6 on AHF Top 50 Owners.  The Foundation’s primary focus is on building value for all stakeholders through long lasting relationships has allowed the organization to evolve into a multi‐faceted real estate player in the affordable housing space whose main business is providing superior services to real estate investors. By leveraging years of experience and extensive network of strategic partners, FFAH assists with securing affordable communities for low-income families and seniors in need, and “at risk” homeless and special needs populations. Additionally, FFAH excels in acquiring grants and soft loans for projects, accessing creative financing solutions, and complying with government regulations.

Before joining the FFAH team, Jason served as a Vice President and Director of Portfolio & Risk Management with a national affordable developer responsible for a national LIHTC portfolio. Jason’s extensive experience also includes real estate property acquisitions and dispositions, portfolio management, and partnership syndications for several other top real estate investment firms. 

In collaborations with the Foundation’s Senior Leadership, Jason has successfully assisted with the portfolio expansion which included several trophy assets with various reputable housing development partners.  With a triple bottom-line framework, Jason currently oversees a quality team of Asset Managers.  

Expanding over a long career, Jason has successfully completed several repositioning of destabilized assets and recapitalization events, as well as conducted over 1,000 physical site evaluations and due diligence assessments for a variety of asset class and product types nationally.  Jason currently holds several real estate designations, including Certified Property Manager® (CPM®), Accredited Residential Manager (ARM®), National Affordable Housing Professional–Executive (NAHP-e®), and Specialist Housing Credit Professional (SHCM®). And received his Master's in Business Administration, as well as completed a real estate finance professional certificate program at the New York University Schack Institute of Real Estate. Jason is originally from New York City and currently resides in Orange County, CA. 

Email: Jason@ffah.org

Michael H. Anderson, founder of Anderson Barker Architects. Has over 35 years of experience in architecture and urban planning with expertise is in urban economic development, aviation, transit, civic, education, residential, and municipal projects such as streetscape, community centers, parks, and parking structures. From years or working with public agencies, I have shifted to focus on aiding municipalities in creating accelerated transit communities and placemaking development collaborating public funding, private capital sources and real estate development companies.

Notable projects are LA Clippers Plaza and Buildings (in construction document phase), Compton MLK Jr. Transit and Community Center, Metro Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor Joint Development Study, Tom Bradley International Terminal West at LAX, City of Inglewood Century Boulevard Beautification (concept & federal funding) and Leimert Park Homes (six townhouse for first-time homeowners).

My passion is working with cities and stakeholder to solve problems for municipalities weighted with managing operation and may not have resources to concentrate on economic development. The purpose is to position small cities with entitled land and shovel ready projects where they can improve their ability to seek and win public and private funding to build projects in shorter periods. The ultimate purpose is to grow a community’s revenues enabling the city to provide better quality of life and services.

I believe modernization of communities is a method that can preserve and magnify the local culture. Achieving this can grow the local market economies to result in new revenues producing tangible results that are mutually beneficial to everyone. The ultimate purpose is to create environments for children to witness change and participate in the processes inspiring them to be self-sustaining adults.

My personal interest is to transform low-income impacted communities into balanced income neighborhoods, culturally diverse through modernization that brings the kids home after college. My ambition is to increase home ownership and equity for first-time buyers through the development of triplexes and fourplexes. This can be a large component of master planned infill development in underdeveloped corridors of Los Angeles. While doing this work my goal is to create as many opportunities as possible for teenagers to work on projects and in the offices of the companies involved in all processes.

Email: michael@anderson-barker.com

Dina Arias is an Expeditor for Pacific Coast Civil, Inc. (PCC), a civil engineering firm that provides services that include mapping, rough grading, precise grading, highway and street design, hydrology, storm drain, sewer, water system, street lighting, subdivision planning, tentative tract map preparation, ALTA survey and construction staking services.

Prior to working for PCC, Dina served as the Project Manager and Expeditor on a fire rebuild project of a multi-million-dollar luxury home in Malibu that burned down in the Woolsey Fire.  She managed, coordinated, and expedited the fire rebuild project from the debris removal certifications through each stage of the process up to and including obtaining approval to begin construction. Dina developed excellent relationships with city officials and various contractors.  Through this experience, PCC realized Dina’s value and work ethic and asked her to join their team.

Since joining PCC, Dina has been helping homeowners and real estate developers work through challenging real estate development projects, some of them victims of the Woolsey Fire and others with non-fire-rebuild construction projects. She has cultivated strong professional connections with clients and approving agencies at both the county and city levels in Malibu, Thousand Oaks, Ventura, Los Angeles, Agoura Hills, Woodland Hills, and Westlake Village. 

Through the Ross Minority Program in Real Estate, Dina seeks to learn more about foundational principles and concepts of real estate development, real estate finance, and land planning to add more value to PCC and its clients.  Dina Arias currently resides in Los Angeles, California.  

Email: dina.arias3@gmail.com

Mussie Assefaw is a Senior Relationship Banker with MUFG Union Bank. In the four years he has been in the role, Mussie has facilitated numerous residential and commercial financing throughout southern California.

Mussie completed his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from University of Richmond and obtained his Masters in Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. 

Mussie chose the Ross Program to enhance his knowledgebase and become and a better partner to his clients and community. His interests include affordable housing, architecture, construction, law, and urban planning. Mussie Assefaw lives in Los Angeles, CA.

Email: mussie.assefaw@gmail.com

Working closely with innovative companies and executives in many different capacities, and a diverse background in community involvement and improving the quality of life for the people that live there have always been Taelor Bakewell’s passion. As a crisis management specialist and official spokesperson for one of the largest utilities in the country, Southern California Edison (SCE), Taelor has dealt with some of the toughest environmental issues facing California.

Prior to joining SCE, she was the Digital Director for the Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper and the Head of PR for California’s largest festival, Taste of Soul.

A native Californian, graduate of the University of Southern California and a California Realtor, Taelor has been able to create effective, quality and long-standing change within her community through a balance of streamlined messaging and grassroots initiatives. Taelor comes from a lineage grossly involved in the community and has worked on real estate projects including, Compton Renaissance Plaza, Fair Oaks Renaissance Plaza, Alondra Square, Willowbrook & Compton Blvd., Seaside Campus Towne and Slauson & Wall Development.

She has plans to continue her family’s legacy as one of the largest Black owned Real Estate Development companies in the country and develop California’s most under resourced communities. Taelor is also a Los Angeles African American Women’s Public Policy Institute Alumni and Communication Director for Networkers, SCE Business Resource Group.

Email: taelor.i.bakewell@sce.com  

Charles A. Boyd, MSCED currently serves as President & CEO of Polaris Prime Properties, LLC (Polaris) specializing in real estate investments and community development in southern California. Prior to launching Polaris, Mr. Boyd held executive, managerial and consulting positions in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors engaged in residential real estate sales, affordable housing development, local economic development and comprehensive neighborhood revitalization throughout the United States.  

In 1995, Mr. Boyd relocated to Los Angeles, CA to serve as Director of Training at the California School of Professional Psychology and assisted community-based and governmental agencies in implementing neighborhood revitalization initiatives addressing economic development, primary healthcare, youth development, crime prevention and neighborhood physical planning.  He later served for ten years at the Los Angeles Urban League (LAUL) as Deputy Neighborhood Officer for Safety and Housing and Director of Community Engagement, achieving notable outcomes in crime reduction and mitigating home mortgage foreclosures in the Park Mesa Heights and Hyde Park neighborhoods in Los Angeles.  In 2009, he was named LAUL Leader of the Year.

A philanthropist and passionate advocate for citizen empowerment, Mr. Boyd currently serves on advisory and corporate boards engaged in neighborhood revitalization and youth development.  He has received over fifty community service and civic awards including U.S. Congressional, California State Senate and California State Assembly recognition.  He has addressed audiences at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, Columbia University Graduate School of Business, Hunter College Graduate School of Social Work, the American Psychological Association, and national forums on social issues including civic engagement, economic development, and youth development. 

Mr. Boyd studied real estate appraisal and investment analysis at the New York University Schack Real Estate Institute and holds a Master’s of Science degree in Community Economic Development with a concentration in housing from the Southern New Hampshire University Graduate School of Community Economic Development.   With his recent admission to the Winter 2021 USC Ross Minority Program in Real Estate and launch of Polaris Prime Properties,  Mr. Boyd now seeks to integrate the real estate and community development processes to achieve a “triple bottom line” including high Profits, improving the quality of life for People, and preserving the Planet with partners and investors.  He counts being a husband and proud father of three among his many blessings.

Email: chasboyd100@gmail.com

Martice Brumfield is a Personal and Business Real Estate Consultant who specializes in developing stronger communities by assisting families to become homeowners.  As an experienced Professional Realtor with over 17 years of experience, and a demonstrated history of working in the residential real estate industry, Martice is skilled in contract negotiation, real property acquisition, financial planning, budgeting and advancement.  Martice prides herself on educating her clients to help them reach their short and long term real estate and financial goals.

”Real Estate is more than a transaction for me, it’s personal.  It’s about helping my clients understand the value of homeownership.  It’s about distributing and sharing knowledge so that families are strengthened for generations to come”.

Her bold and unique strategies have assisted numerous individuals and families become homeowners and investors. Because of her unique approach, Martice has been dubbed “Martice….The Work It Out Realtor”.  When she is not working with clients she enjoys hiking with family, sporting events, traveling, reading and shopping.  Martice holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in African American Studies from California State University Northridge; a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management from Springfield College, and a Certificate in Contemporary Marriage and Family Systems from Capella University.  Additionally, Martice holds a real estate designation as a Foreclosure and Short Sale Resource Specialist from the National Association of Realtors. This designation furthers her knowledge and skillset in her ability to work with and assist even the most troubled homeowner. Her motto is, “Each of us are given a talent, and it is up to us to use that gift and talent to serve others by being intentional and purposeful.” Martice Brumfield

Email: miariproperties@gmail.com  

Richard currently works in the Economic and Business Development division of Los Angeles County Department of Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services (WDACS), where he leads the divisions legislative, policy, and advocacy efforts and spearheads the development and implementation of specialized workforce and economic development initiatives that promote economic prosperity for residents and businesses within Los Angeles County, particularly those with the significant barriers to success.

Prior to joining the County, Richard worked in the private sector as a public affairs consultant, primarily serving clients in the infrastructure, government, and political sectors, helping to develop and execute local hire, small business inclusion, and community engagement strategies to facilitate compliance with project labor agreements on multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects.

Two notable projects in Richard’s portfolio include the LA Metro Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project, a $2 billion-dollar light rail construction project spanning 8.5 miles through South LA, Inglewood, Hawthorne, and El Segundo, and the $2 billion-dollar Automated People Mover Project at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

From 2014 - 2017, Richard served as a presidential appointee in the Obama administration, where he held multiple roles within the Office of former Secretary of Transportation, Anthony Foxx.

Richard holds a JD from the University of Wisconsin and a BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. Richard currently resides in the Miracle Mile neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA.

Email: rcesar@wdacs.lacounty.gov   

Stacy Cumberbatch is the Managing Director of Blended Impact Labs, a venture development firm and innovation lab focused on public-private partnerships to power the future of how we invest, earn, and live. She works within the venture capital community alongside public officials and philanthropy to create more inclusive models to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development. In 2019-2020 she served as a FUSE Executive Fellow, leading the Opportunity Zone strategic plan and ecosystem development for the County of Riverside, California in partnership with the Riverside County Business and Community Services department. She is the Founder of Opportunity Riverside, an initiative to increase investments and economic development in the Inland Empire, CA.

Previously, she served as a Principal at a $33M seed-stage fund and accelerator program where she joined in the launch of the Los Angeles office and led its accelerator program, while also operating as an integral member of the investment committee for 30 early-stage companies. She has over 12 years of corporate and consumer real estate finance experience, and has led teams focused on investor due diligence, loan origination and underwriting at Fortune 1000 financial institutions including First Republic Bank, Colony Capital, and Bank of America. She has underwritten over $1.7B in real estate loan transactions and an additional $5M in venture investment experience.

She serves as an Advisor with the Bixel Exchange SBDC at the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and is a Council Member with NationSwell. Stacy holds a Master’s of Science from the University of Southern California in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and a Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Georgia in Finance.

Email: stacy@blendedimpact.com

Brýon Johnson is an Associate Project Manager with commercial real estate services firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL).

Prior to joining JLL, she was in a project support role for Right of Way firm Epicland Solutions. Ushering in principals of agile project management, Brýon has successfully implemented protocols that have contributed to the efficiency of project processes. Currently she is assisting the development of client Bank of America’s Wellness Room Program for all their Southern California branches.

In addition to working as an Associate Project Manager, she is a licensed realtor with boutique firm Barnett Renderos Real Estate Services. Her specialty is with first time home buyers and promoting green/smart homes.

She holds an associate degree in Business Management from Long Beach City College, a Construction Project Management certification from California State University Dominguez Hills, and a Construction Manager in Training certification from the Construction Managers Association of America.

Email: bryon.johnson@am.jll.com

Brandon is currently a Senior Associate in EY’s Real Estate Transactions practice. He works with investors and developers to assist them in the acquisition, hold, and exit of their commercial real estate portfolios. In the two years in the role, he’s worked with clients across all asset classes to perform valuation, feasibility, due diligence, and other real estate financial services.

Prior to the Real Estate practice, he was in the EY consulting practice advising Fortune 500 companies on large-scale transitions and initiatives. This included supporting a Fortune 50 energy client as they automated their deep-water drilling process, opening a new water theme park in Orlando, and advising multiple organizations as they reengineered their workplaces for the future.

In addition, Brandon worked for a strategy consulting firm in Washington DC for 4 years and also lived abroad in the Republic of Moldova working for a Microfinance firm.

Brandon holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business and a Bachelor’s degree in business from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA.

Email: brandon.kline@ey.com

Antonio comes to ALA with extensive experience spanning corporate philanthropy, community development, and affordable housing. Prior to joining Affordable Living for the Aging as the President and CEO, Antonio Manning served as ALA's Chairman of the Board.

Antonio most recently served as the Senior Relationship Manager, Global Philanthropy Group of JPMorgan Chase & Co. In this role, Antonio managed philanthropy and community relations for California, Oklahoma, and Texas that included a staff of 7 and a budget of $20 million. Previously, Antonio served as First Vice President and Regional Grants Manager in Washington Mutual's Community and External Affairs Division. In this capacity, he managed community relations and company corporate contributions in affordable housing, community development, and educational reform initiatives in California. Antonio joined Washington Mutual in 2000. His previous roles included Western Regional Director of the Fannie Mae Foundation and a member of the program staff for the James Irvine Foundation. 

Antonio is an active member of the community. He is a founding member of African-Americans in Philanthropy – Southern California, a membership organization comprised of corporate and philanthropic executives. He has served as a commissioner for the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. Manning's other board of director affiliations have include Coalition for Responsible Community Development, Heritage Homeownership Partners, Los Angeles Business Council, and the Weingart Center Association. Antonio also serves on the local advisory board for the Local Initiatives Support Corporation and the Southern Leadership Council for Enterprise Community Partners.  

Email: antonio@alaseniorliving.org

Tiffany Reeves (She/Her) is currently a Development Analyst with CIM Group, a community-focused real estate and infrastructure owner, operator, lender, and developer.

Prior to Joining CIM Group, she began her career with Benchmark Construction, Inc., a small construction company based out of Mid-City Los Angeles, California.

Her experiences with the company and the interaction with City departments accelerated her interest in development and construction. Upon moving to New York in 2015, she expanded her expertise in the industry by joining Design 2147 Inc., an expediting and consulting firm based in Brooklyn, NY, as their department permit expediting liaison to the NYC Department of Transportation.  While with Design, she moved up the ranks within her department and ultimately managed all administrative DOT related requests from vendors to the City.

Upon relocating back home to Los Angeles in 2017, she Joined CIM Group for a more comprehensive understanding of the industry. Since then, she has continued to hone her project management skills. She assists in daily management of project contracts and budgets, along with direct communication with project consultants and JV partners. She has worked on development projects throughout Los Angeles County and the metropolitan Denver Colorado area.

As a black woman, Tiffany brings a diverse set of perspectives to her projects and her department. Tiffany is a member of the development department’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council. To date, she has helped the council create the departments’ first mentorship program to encourage valuable relationships with senior and junior staff and is working with the council to continue to improve the experience of women and People of Color within the department. Tiffany holds her B.A. degree from the University of California, Riverside in the area of Psychology and currently resides in Culver City.

Email: treeves@cimgroup.com

Brent Robinson serves as the District Director in the Los Angeles office for U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris.  In this role, he develops and implements the region-specific engagement strategy for the Senator and the State Director.  In this capacity his portfolio includes all policy and issue areas. 

Mr. Robinson’s expertise facilitates relationships with state and local governments, businesses, advocacy organizations, community organizations, emergency management officials, U.S. military installations, and consulate generals across the region, which includes the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.

Mr. Robinson is currently a Masters candidate in Military Operational Art & Science at Air University’s, Air Command and Staff College.  He views housing insecurity as a national security issue and has passionately worked on the policy issue of housing throughout the region. 

Mr. Robinson also holds a Master of Arts in Education from Whittier College and a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Civilization from Howard University in Washington, D.C.

Email: brent_robinson@harris.senate.gov

April Sandifer is a native Angeleno who is passionate about social and environmental justice. After decades of watching her great grandmother work tirelessly fighting for her South LA Community, she is excited to have the opportunity to give back.

As Program Manager, she will support SLATE-Z’s efforts to promote neighborhood revitalization, educational excellence, and economic empowerment to help realize the tremendous promise and potential of South Los Angeles.

Prior to joining SLATE-Z, April worked with key leaders in the land use and real estate profession as manager of the Urban Land Institute in Los Angeles (ULI LA). She worked to forward the organization's mission by managing over 200 stakeholder programs and conferences, as well as consistently creating opportunities for collaboration amongst the organization's trans-disciplinary membership.

During her career, April has been involved with a number of non-profit organizations most notably the Loyola Marymount University Center for Urban Resilience (CURes) as Operations Manager. Through her work at CURes, she collaborated with such organizations as the Friends of Ballona Wetlands, the Bay Foundation, Heal the Bay, and the Department of Beaches and Harbors on multiple community-based science and educational programs.

April received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Studies and her Master's Degree in Urban Ecology both from Loyola Marymount University. She is a proud double Lion and continues to live in Los Angeles.

Email: april@slatez.org

Treasure Sheppard is an Analyst for the Community & Economic Development Division of the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA). Treasure manages reporting on Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Fair Housing programs. She reviews performance and financial data, develops reports, and prepares analyses related to federally-, state-, and locally funded community and economic development programs and projects. She acts as a liaison between the federal government (Housing & Urban Development – HUD) and local municipalities and community-based organizations.

In addition to her work at the LACDA, Treasure volunteers her time as a Commissioner to the City of Pasadena’s Recreation & Parks Commission. In addition, she sits on the City of Pasadena’s Urban Forestry Advisory Committee and Hahamongna Watershed Park Advisory Committee. Lastly, she is the current President of the Pasadena Recreation & Parks Foundation.

Treasure received her Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University, earned her Master’s of Science in Leadership from Northeastern University and is currently completing her Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership at Northeastern University. Her dissertation currently focuses on the role civic collaboration plays upon urban resilience and public health – specifically, land development, affordable housing, and homelessness. She hopes to use knowledge gained from participation in the RMPIRE to support her research.

Email: treasure.sheppard@lacda.org

Simeon R. Stewart II is the owner of Stewart Manhattan, Inc. a construction management firm that specializes in design-build construction management, renovation and tenant improvements. The firm also manages the design, installation and integration of commercial multimedia systems.

Stewart has managed a multimillion dollar portfolio of over 500 projects within the state of California, in multiple roles - Construction Manager; General Contractor; Design/Builder; Specialty Sub-Contractor and Multimedia Integrator.

Simeon is also CEO of Palazzo Concessions, a small business that specializes in the gift/news and food and beverage segments of the airport concessions industry. Responsible for business development, operations and strategy, Stewart has been instrumental in growing the firm by establishing joint venture partnerships with large prime concessionaires.

A graduate of the University of Southern California, Stewart has earned MBA and Bachelor of Science degrees from the Marshall School of Business. He currently sits on the board of the Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, Marshall School of Business, chairs the Black Alumni Council of USC’s Black Alumni Association and serves on the President’s Advisory Council of the Brotherhood Crusade.

Email: simeon@stewartmanhattan.com

Colin is an Associate with Primestor Development, a company that specializes in the acquisitions, development, leasing, and management of retail and mixed-use properties throughout Southern California.

At Primestor, Colin is a part of the Development team which oversees several public-private partnerships, including the recently opened Freedom Plaza in Watts, California, as well as the Evermont which is under construction in South Los Angeles. By fostering relationships with local and state municipalities, Colin helps to ensure that Primestor’s urban infill projects meet the needs of the company as well as the communities they serve.

In addition to his experience at Primestor, Colin graduated magna cum laude from Pepperdine University and also worked at CBRE where he gained critical experience in capital markets, sale-leaseback advisory, property financing, and underwriting.

Outside of work, Colin is an active member of the local community. He serves as a board member for Escuela Plus Elementary, and also served as a board member for the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council.

Email: CTurner@primestor.com

Maisha is a Realtor (REAL Broker, NY/HGAR) from New York’s Hudson Valley. She has always been interested in understanding the intersection of planning, policy, engineering, real estate and development on the urban landscape. Maisha has served on her city’s Zoning Taskforce, as well as her association’s (HGAR) Legislative Policy and Fair Housing Committee(s). She is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), Urban Land Institute (ULI), and American Planning Association (APA), and American Association of University Women (AAUW). She was recently elected to serve as Regional Director for the Hudson Valley West for the APA Metro NY Chapter (2021-23). 

Maisha is active in her local congregation’s (AME Zion) social ministry and homeless outreach and serves on the Board of Trustees. 

As an undergraduate, Maisha studied political science and public policy, earning her degree from Marist College. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Project Management from the Department of Civil Engineering at NJIT. She is a recent graduate of the USC Price School of Public Policy, earning an Executive Master’s in Urban Planning. Currently, Maisha is completing the Master of Regional Planning (MRP), with a specialization in Community Planning & Economic Development, at the University at Albany (SUNY). She will graduate May 2021.

Maisha believes in the power of “big plans” and wants to integrate everything she has learned into her own planning and development firm. She’d like to facilitate public-private partnerships to build (much needed) affordable housing, repurpose “dead malls” to vibrant communities which address housing insecurity and homelessness. Ultimately, she hopes to plan (and help build) equitable, sustainable, resilient, healthy and inclusive communities.

Email: hudsonvalleywest@nyplanning.org

Aisha Wahab is a former foster child who went on to become the first Afghan-American woman to serve in public office in the United States of America after receiving the highest number of votes to become a Hayward City Council Member in 2018.

Aisha Wahab is a dynamic individual with experience in policy, technology, business, environment, and local communities. She is at the intersection of social impact, technology, and community organizing. Her broad-based lived experiences have allowed her to serve in a variety of different leadership positions, allowing her to influence a multitude of projects for public, private, and non-profit industries. 

Aisha worked to ensure housing for low and extremely low-income individuals, provide seniors programs to stay active, educate immigrants to become more civically engaged, and support victims of domestic violence as they find safety and re-start their lives. Aisha has spent years organizing around these issues and many more including education, the environment, civic engagement, and women's rights.

A strong advocate of community service, Aisha has served as Alameda County’s Chair of the Human Relations Commission, a non-profit board member of the Afghan Coalition, Abode Services, and Tri-City Volunteers.

Recently, Aisha was named as one of San Francisco Business Times’ 2017 “Most Influential Woman in Business”. Her work has also been highlighted in San Francisco Magazine’s “The Resistance” and Oakland Magazine’s “Aisha Wahab Makes History”, while also being featured on KQED’s “Forum” and her campaign was featured regularly on KQED’s “The Long Run”. Aisha was also named an American Graduate Champion by KLRU via a grant by the Corporation of Public Broadcasting for her passion for education.

Aisha’s greatly respected community work has garnered attention as she has been honored by Senator Bob Wieckowski with the “Unity Award” in 2017, Assemblyman Bill Quirk named her “Woman of the Year” in 2019, CSU East Bay named her 40 Under 40 in 2018, “Inspirational Woman of the Year” by Assemblyman Kansen Chu in 2016 and of course, the East Bay Young Democrats Local Legislator of the Year in 2019- to name a few. Aisha was also selected to be a part of the White House Roundtable of Afghan American Leaders as well as being invited to the White House's Annual NowRoz event.

Aisha was born in New York City and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. Aisha and her sister were adopted by a young self-employed couple that taught them the value of hard work, perseverance, and a strong sense of pride as an American with great respect for their Afghan heritage. Aisha Wahab is pursuing her doctorate, and has received her Master’s in Business Administration and her B.A. in Political Science. To learn more please visit www.AishaWahab.com 

 Email: awahab@usc.edu