Darien Louie has over 40 years of experience in program development, fund development, economic development and community investment. Her background includes work in community non-profit, public sector and corporate partnership settings, and also experience as an entrepreneur. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Alameda County Workforce Development Board, the Oakland Workforce Development Board, ICA Fund Good Jobs, and the Jefferson Awards Foundation.
She has been recognized as Alameda County’s Woman of the Year for Assembly District 16, Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and received a City of Oakland Proclamation for “Darien Louie Day” from then Mayor Jerry Brown.
Darien is a Bay Area native and resides in Oakland with her husband Michael Fong. Her son, Ryan, is a recent graduate from her alma mater, UC Berkeley.
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 was also called upon to reinstate East Bay EDA’s international business services and to provide technical expertise in dealing with foreign dignitaries, Consuls General, and venture capital activity.
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 UC Berkeley.
Adrienne Ursino serves as the Government Affairs and Communications Director. She will serve as key support for the following committees; Legislation & Advocacy, Land Use & Infrastructure and Communications & Marketing.
Adrienne has over fifteen years of experience with the United States House of Representatives as a staff member for both Congressman George Miller (retired) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee. With Congressman Miller, Adrienne worked on Capitol Hill before later returning to California to serve as his Director of Public Outreach. While with Congresswoman Lee, Adrienne served as Manager of Public Engagement and oversaw her District Office in Oakland, CA. Adrienne lead the development of strategic outreach efforts while managing district staff and overseeing a large portfolio of issues including, Economic Development, Workforce Development, STEM, HIV/AIDS, and the Re-Entry Population. She brings her legislative experience and adeptness in communicating to her role with the EDA.
Adrienne received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from San Francisco State University and currently resides in Martinez with her daughter Madison.
Jackie Keliiaa serves as the Senior Economic Development Analyst primarily supporting East Bay EDA city/town members and 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 UC Berkeley and Master of Science in Urban Planning from Columbia University. Jackie is a proud East Bay native who resides in Oakland.
EDA works closely with Cal/EPA and other local partners to create the first Permit Assistance Center in the state, with continuous efforts to improve collaboration between business and regulatory agencies. One-stop permitting centers operating in the East Bay are an outgrowth of this effort (1995).