East Central Reporter

We'd also like to send a very huge thank you to our sponsors. The Leadership Oakland Class of 2023 wouldn't have been possible without the support of Verizon and Pacific Gas and Electric Company. 

Anita Russell, Community Development Manager, Working Solutions CDFI is a polished, poised, conversant, responsible for procuring new partner relations while maintaining existing affiliations—from analogous lending institutions to well-known business magnates; coaching new applicants and holding current clients with unswerving integrity; and supporting a diversity of community outreach efforts.

Anita brings an indubitable ability to lead, empathize, and communicate as a vibrant visionary, engaging in a diversity of informationally robust symposiums centered on financial literacy and access to capital. Anita's avid acumen for advocacy, communication, and partnership-building has been solid for more than 27 years. 

Anita most appreciates being able to bring her heart to each role! “Meaningful connectivity involves the ability to be genuinely intentional, relatable, reliable and empathetic. And while every outcome may not be favorable, most often, all people want is to be seen, heard, and assured the listening ear authentically cares.”

Talia Wise is a 25-year resident of Oakland, parent of an OUSD kindergartner, and devotee of Oaklandish-ware. For much of her time in Oakland, Talia has worked in marketing for educational publishing organizations, either on-staff or as a consultant. Some of the organizations she’s worked with include: CEB—Continuing Education of the Bar, University of CA, Corwin (a Sage company), Cengage Learning, and Hack the Hood.

Beginning in 2012, Talia began working with Family Builders, an Oakland foster-to-adoption placement agency, to create a family of her own. In 2016, after many hours of informative training and vetting, and job changes to create space and availability, Talia was matched with a foster baby, whom she was able to legally adopt the same year. Through her foster-adoption experience, Talia also created a relationship with Children’s Hospital Oakland, and two years ago joined their Consumer Advisory Board.

Her son’s non-stop obsession with garbage trucks brought Talia to her current position. After years of watching the drivers pick up her trash, Talia asked them how they liked their jobs. Their enthusiasm for their work encouraged Talia to look for a position with Waste Management, and when the role of Director of Communications opened, she applied immediately and joined the organization in August 2021. Changing industries is challenging, but entering a new industry that affects everyone, and has a considerable sustainable mission to it, has been the most professionally satisfying experience in Talia’s career. Though a newbie to the business, Talia has dived in and has already joined Stop Waste’s Recycling Board (effective 12/07/21).

Original source can be found here.