West Sacramento, Calif. — Rural Community Assistance Corporation’s (RCAC) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Suzanne Anarde is the organization’s new chief executive officer. She will join RCAC in November.

Ms. Anarde has worked for more than 25 years as a community development professional dedicated to rural revitalization. Currently, she is LISC Vice President and Rural LISC Director. She began serving rural communities in Colorado as Tri-County Housing’s founding executive director in 1991. She joined Rural LISC in 2005 as a consultant and in 2010 as senior program director for partners in California, Oregon and Utah. In her current role she oversees work with 89 rural community-based organizations in more than 2,100 counties across 45 states.

Ms. Anarde served on the Colorado State Housing Board for seven years and the Fowler School Board in Colorado for 18 years, including eight as president. She is a board member for Fannie Mae’s Affordable Housing Advisory Council, National Rural Housing Coalition, U.S. Bank Community Advisory Committee, Dakotas America Advisory Board and CEI National Advisory Board serving rural Maine.

“I am humbled and honored to be joining the RCAC team. I have worked with Stan Keasling for many years and have greatly benefitted from his mentorship and leadership. I am excited to expand my knowledge and experience by learning from and working with the dedicated and rural focused RCAC staff and board, providing invaluable programs and support to communities in the rural West,” said Anarde. “That direct, impactful work drew me to RCAC, and I am excited to be a part of it.”

“The Board of Directors was looking for a CEO with a profound commitment to rural America, and we believe we found that in Suzanne,” said Nalani Fujimori Kaina, RCAC’s board president.

“She has lived in the rural west for most of her life, and she knows firsthand the challenges our communities face. She will bring that culture and passion to RCAC, combined with a deep knowledge of housing and her experience at Rural LISC. We could not be more fortunate to have Suzanne lead this organization.”

Founded in 1978, RCAC is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides training, technical and financial resources and advocacy so rural communities can achieve their goals and visions. RCAC serves rural communities in 13 western states and the Pacific islands. Services are available to communities with populations of fewer than 50,000, other nonprofit groups, Tribal and Native organizations, farmworkers, colonias and other specific populations. About RCAC >>

Contact:

Julia Helmreich, Director
Communications, Development & Events
(916) 447-9832 ext.
jhelmreich@rcac.org