Dear friends and supporters,
At the end of 2022, we announced EBHO’s Interim Executive Director, Debra Ballinger. Debra is a long-time member and partner of EBHO and a community anchor in Concord and East Contra Costa County supporting immigrants, refugees, and lower-income residents.
It is bittersweet to share that Debra is completing her time with us at the end of May to consult on the planning of an exciting guaranteed income pilot that Monument Impact will launch this fall. We thank her for her leadership and willingness to step in to support the entire staff and Board during this season of change. While it’s sad to say goodbye, we are grateful that Debra will continue to be a strong ally of EBHO.
Effective June 1, 2023, EBHO’s Senior Director of Memberships & Operations, Kiki Poe, and Senior Director of Programs, Rev. Sophia DeWitt, will serve as Interim Co-Directors with support by EBHO’s Former Board President, Natalie Bonnewit. We acknowledge change can be challenging and are beyond thrilled and appreciative for Kiki and Sophia’s leadership during this transition period.
The Board is continuing with the EBHO Executive Director search. Please stay tuned for more updates in the coming weeks.
In community,
— Hang Mosier, Board President
Thank you, Debra!
“My six months as Interim Executive Director has gone by so quickly. I came into this position during a period of transition with deep respect for the impact EBHO has in the East Bay and will be leaving with even deeper appreciation for the people and the work. I know as interim co-directors, Sophia Dewitt and Kiki Poe will take this transition to a new level.”
— Debra Ballinger, Outgoing Interim Executive Director
Meet Kiki & Sophia
Kiki Poe and Rev. Sophia DeWitt are a dynamic duo that have each been with EBHO for nearly six years.
Kiki serves as the Senior Director of Membership & Operations at EBHO, where she manages the organization’s finances, HR, and daily operations, as well as overseeing the organization’s membership program and events. Sophia is EBHO’s Senior Director of Programs, where she oversees much of EBHO’s policy and fundraising work, and represents EBHO at several regionwide coalitions.
The two have served as Interim Co-Directors together once before during Former Executive Director Gloria Bruce’s sabbatical and are excited to take the reigns and steer this powerful organization.
“I care deeply about EBHO’s people and its work as we collectively fight for housing equity. I am excited and humbled to be continuing this important work as Interim Co-Director.”
— Kiki Poe, Incoming Interim Co-Director
“I look forward to working with Kiki and the rest of EBHO’s staff and Board to continue to advance the organization’s vision of a racially and economically just East Bay where everyone has a safe, stable, affordable and accessible home. This work is critical and I am honored to be in a position to steward it.”
— Rev. Sophia DeWitt, Incoming Interim Co-Director
