IN THIS ISSUE

Letter From the CEO

As we share EBLC’s Impact Report, I’m reminded why this organization exists and what makes our work distinct. At a time when our region faces both persistent challenges and extraordinary opportunity, this report captures how employers, community partners, and civic leaders have come together to advance the East Bay’s economy and quality of life.

From the start, EBLC has been guided by a simple conviction: progress is possible when we focus on solutions, not sides. Our approach is nonpartisan, collaborative, and employer-led. We believe employers of all sizes and sectors share a responsibility—and a unique ability—to shape a more resilient and prosperous region through collective impact. EBLC operates at the intersection of economy and quality of life, ensuring that equity is woven through our work, not treated as an afterthought.

This year, that philosophy translated into measurable results. Through our advocacy, we advanced policies that strengthen competitiveness and expand opportunity. Through our events, we convened business, government, and nonprofit leaders to exchange ideas and find common ground. Through our programs, we equipped a new generation of leaders and decision-makers to carry this work forward. And through our membership, we have grown a coalition that reflects the diversity and strength of the East Bay’s employers, whose collective impact is felt in every community we serve.

None of this happens alone. Every success in these pages was made possible through partnership. The kind that brings together people who might not always agree, but who share a commitment to making this region stronger. It is powered by the dedication of our staff, whose creativity brings our mission to life. By the leadership of our Board, whose guidance keeps EBLC both visionary and grounded. And by the trust of our members and partners, who make this work possible through their engagement and belief in our purpose.

At EBLC, we believe optimism is not naïve—it’s necessary. The conviction that even small public policy reforms can change our region for the better drives everything we do. You might even call us hopeless optimists. But that’s what it takes to lead: to believe in collective impact, to act in partnership, and to see what’s possible when we build together.

With gratitude and optimism,
Mark Orcutt
President & CEO
East Bay Leadership Council