The Hyams Foundation has appointed Lisa Owens as its next executive director. Owens brings more than 25 years of experience in building local grassroots organizations and national movements for social, racial, and economic justice. She will assume her role at Hyams on January 25, 2021.
Owens currently serves as the executive director of City Life/Vida Urbana, a prominent housing justice group that has been a leader in organizing communities against displacement and building collective power for systemic change. Owens also has extensive experience as an educator, teaching nonprofit management and leadership, and serving on the boards of a number of community-based organizations, national alliances, and progressive funders. She will bring deep experience in working class communities of color, as well as being a Hyams grantee.
“We look forward to welcoming Lisa and working with her to enter this next chapter in Hyams history — one in which we mobilize all of our resources to dismantle the persistent, racialized economic disparities created by white supremacy,” said Hyams Board Chair Penn Loh.
“I’m excited to join the Hyams team at this time of heightened political, economic, and social crisis and opportunity. I’m looking forward to working with the Hyams community of grantees, staff and board members to meet this moment, strengthen our movements and build power,” remarked Owens.
Owens will follow Interim Executive Director David Moy, who has guided Hyams over the last year. Moy will return to a staff leadership role in strategy and operations.
