The California Reinvestment Coalition is pleased to announce that Chancela Al-Mansour, Executive Director of the Housing Rights Center, has been elected chair of its Board of Directors. Her three-year term began on Jan. 25. 

Al-Mansour has served on the board as a trustee for more than two decades. She succeeds Sharon Kinlaw, who retired from the board after 24 years of service. 

“First, we thank Sharon for her many years of service to CRC. Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping our mission,” said Paulina Gonzalez-Brito, CRC CEO. “Still, this transition brings about many exciting opportunities. Chancela is uniquely qualified to lead this already exemplary board thanks to her depth of knowledge in tenants’ rights and housing law and her deep commitment to improving the economy for low-to-moderate-income and Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.”

In 2022, Chancela was awarded CRC’s inaugural Southern California Alan Fisher Economic Justice Award, which recognizes advocates who embody the spirit of CRC’s founding director, Alan Fisher. Al-Mansour is a long-time resident of Los Angeles, a native of Oakland and a graduate of the U.C. Davis School of Law.

CRC also appointed Eric Payne, of the Central Valley Urban Institute, and Kendra Noel Lewis, of the Sierra Health Foundation, to the board. Their three-year terms begin effective immediately. 

“Eric and Kendra are two highly-regarded advocates in their respective fields,” Gonzalez-Brito said. “We look forward to their insights and contributions to the board as CRC continues to advance its mission of creating an economy that works for every Californian.” 

Board members Elba Schildcrout and Vanessa Carter Fahnestock assume new roles on the board this year as well, with Schildcrout transitioning to Vice Chair and Carter Fahnestock to Secretary.