Our Team
MARK ORCUTT
President & CEO
Mark Orcutt is a strategic leader and policy advocate with over a decade of experience in nonprofit management and public policy. A Northern California native, Mark began his career at California Forward, focusing on statewide governance reform, and later worked as Field Director for an East Bay State Assembly campaign and as Campaign Manager for a ballot measure that revitalized San Francisco's Pier 70 waterfront.
Since joining the East Bay Leadership Council and Contra Costa Economic Partnership in 2015, Mark has played a key role in strengthening the organizations' impact through effective programs, events, and advocacy addressing critical issues such as housing affordability, workforce development, and economic opportunity. Since being named President & CEO / Executive Director in 2023, his efforts have solidified the organizations’ reputation as leading voices in the East Bay, researching and advancing policies that support a thriving and inclusive economy.
Mark has contributed to the launch and sustained success of various programs, including a political candidate training initiative that has helped more than a dozen people win elected office, and Engage East Bay, a nonprofit board match project designed to strengthen local nonprofit leadership. He has also championed the Contra Costa Economic Partnership’s role in supporting innovative healthcare workforce initiatives that are meeting an urgent need for high-wage careers and high-quality talent. Mark takes great pride in the collaborative efforts of his colleagues and partners, finding the greatest joy in working alongside others to achieve collective impact.
He graduated summa cum laude from San Francisco State University with a B.A. in Political Science. When not at the office, you can find him exploring his favorite East Bay Regional Parks or enjoying a show at the Lesher Center with his wife, Elizabeth.
MEG STERN
Policy Director
Meg Stern is an experienced communicator and policy advocate who is committed to leveraging her skills to support her community. Through growing up on California’s Central Coast Meg has seen firsthand many of the state’s biggest challenges, experiences that have shaped her commitment to public service and led her to work for organizations such as CalPIRG, the Plastic Pollution Coalition, and now the East Bay Leadership Council.
Meg joined EBLC in 2022 and has been serving as Policy Director since early 2025, through which she leads and executes the organization’s policy analysis and advocacy work. Meg manages all of EBLC’s Task Forces, produces policy memos that inform the organization’s work, develops and leads major coalitions on regional and state advocacy, tracks and manages all legislative advocacy, shapes the organization’s Policy Platform, writes external communications pieces, and serves as a key strategic voice for the organization.
Meg graduated from UC Berkeley with a B.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in Art Practice, where she also worked for the Berkeley Public Service Center and Berkeley Study Abroad Office after studying abroad in both London and Rome. Outside of work, you can find Meg painting, singing, hiking with her friends, and trying as many new coffee shops as possible.
ANGELICA BECKMAN
Operations Manager
Angelica Beckman grew up in Winters, California and moved to the East Bay to attend Saint Mary’s College. As a proud Gael, she follows the Lasallian principle “Enter to Learn. Lead to Serve” to guide her work. Her background includes Portfolio Accounting and Internal Audit in various industries including higher education and financial institutions. She joined EBLC in 2022 and since then has played an integral role in streamlining accounting processes, providing administrative support to the team, and maintaining positive relationships with current and prospective members. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons. She also enjoys wine tasting and listening to and discussing audio books.
UCHENNA ESOMONU
Communications & Events Associate
Uche is a communications professional with a strong background in journalism, digital marketing, graphic design, and event planning. In her role, she is focused on amplifying EBLC’s work and strengthening engagement with members and partners across the region. She believes in using her passion for writing to elevate organizations with bold missions and help build more equitable, resilient communities. As a community organizer, she was instrumental in the launch of the Not One More Girl campaign—a robust community-driven initiative to end sexual harassment on public transportation—led by Alliance for Girls in partnership with BART.
Uche studied journalism at Diablo Valley College, where she helped lead the DVC Inquirer, and went on to graduate summa cum laude from Sacramento State University with a B.A. in Journalism. Outside of work, Uche enjoys volunteering at women’s rights organizations, watching and discussing films/tv shows, fiction writing, and practicing yoga.