OUR STAFF
East Bay EDA staff provide direct support to our membership network and leadership committees. They serve as a resource to the region through business assistance, economic research, events, and more.
Stephen Baiter
Robert Sakai
Robert currently provides staff support for East Bay EDA’s activities involving trade and the region’s extensive technology resources. Having retired in 2012 as one of the organization’s original staff members, Robert was asked to come back in 2013 as a part time resource to provide institutional history for an organization that is built upon network relationships. Robert received his AB degree in history from Harvard College, received an MA in Sociology from the University of Hawaii, Manoa, conducted two years of research at Tokyo University and received his MCP degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
Jackie Keliiaa
Jackie supports East Bay EDA member cities/towns through the Economic Development Directors’ Council and also supports the Business Development & Resources Committee. Jackie is an experienced researcher with a focus on data analysis, graphic design and policy development. Prior to joining the East Bay EDA, Jackie served as an urban planning consultant and most recently worked for the City of Alameda. Jackie is committed to building communities that are equitable, politically active and healthy. Jackie received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of California, Berkeley and Master of Science in Urban Planning from Columbia University. Jackie is a proud East Bay native who resides in Oakland.
Carline Au
Carline Au serves as the staff lead for research and reports, and supports East Bay EDA’s Land Use and Infrastructure Committee. Carline brings to her role a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to supporting an inclusive and resilient East Bay economy. Previously, Carline worked in urban economics consulting advising public, private, and nonprofit clients on complex projects involving real estate market and economic feasibility, employment and industry trends, land use and transportation planning, and economic development strategies. Carline holds a Master of City Planning from the University of California, Berkeley. Carline received a B.A in Urban Studies and Planning and International Studies-Sociology from the University of California, San Diego.
Xian Ballesteros
Xian brings more than a decade of leadership experience in diverse sectors, including nonprofit and public-sector work. At East Bay EDA, he supports the leadership committees of International Trade & Investment and Marketing & Public Relations. He manages marketing and communication activities and strategy as well as the planning and promotion of large-scale regional events. Prior to joining East Bay EDA, Xian served as Director of Development for a $12M social service agency in Silicon Valley, where he oversaw fundraising, communications, and community engagement. A Bay Area native and East Bay resident, Xian received a Bachelor of Arts in Literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a Master of Public Affairs from the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley.
Maribel (Bel) Purificacion
Maribel (Bel) Purificacion joined East Bay EDA in December 2017 as an Administrative Associate. She is the Assistant to the Executive Director and provides administrative support to staff. She handles all logistics for the Leadership Committees and events. In 2015, Bel worked in the Alameda County Administrator’s Office providing administrative support to the Special Assistants to Susan S. Muranishi, County Administrator, and the CAO Finance Group. Prior to working for the CAO’s Office, she worked for AT&T for 27 ½ years. She started as a Reports Clerk in the Comptroller’s Department and worked her way up to an IT Analyst in the VP-Consumers Organization. She was responsible for the monthly vendors’ expenses, weekly time reporting and completion of mandatory guidelines for the Organization. During her spare time, she enjoys watching TV, movies and ballroom dancing.
Alyson Greenlee
Alyson Greenlee is supporting East Bay EDA in partnership with CMTC’s California Manufacturing Network to provide direct support to manufacturers impacted by COVID-19. She is an experienced project manager and management consultant in workforce and economic development. Prior to joining East Bay EDA, she managed a small, woman-owned business in Oakland, providing management consulting services in workforce and economic development. She was also Special Project Manager for East Bay EDA in 2012-13. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial & Labor Relations from Cornell University and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Babson College.
CONTACT US
Have a question or media inquiry? Please fill out the contact form below and a member of our team will get back to you. Thank you!
Contact Info
1221 Oak Street, Suite 555
Oakland, CA 94612
+1 (510) 272-6746