CADA Executive Director Danielle Foster
The Chair of the Capitol Area Development Authority (CADA) Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Danielle Foster as the organization’s next executive director. Her appointment will become effective February 1, 2023 when she will replace current Executive Director, Wendy Saunders, who has chosen to retire after nearly ten years with CADA.
Recognized by the Sacramento Housing Alliance as the Affordable Housing Champion of the Year in 2022, Foster has more than 20 years of housing, redevelopment, economic, and community development experience within the Sacramento Region. She was the first person to hold the newly created job of Housing Policy Manager at the City of Sacramento since 2019. Foster is also an instructor for the UC Davis Continuing & Professional Education program focusing on affordable housing programs and development principles, updates to state law, and balanced healthy community policies through housing and economic practices. Prior to these roles, Foster served as the Housing Manager and Executive Director for the City of Roseville and the Roseville Housing Authority. She also previously served as the Housing & Human Services Superintendent for the City of Davis.
Upon her appointment, Ms. Foster will initiate a strategic planning process allowing CADA to capture the momentum gained with its current affordable housing projects: Sonrisa, ARY Place and 805 R Street.
“Danielle is the right leader for CADA,” said Ann Bailey, Chair of the CADA Board. “Danielle’s extensive background in fostering private-public partnerships, commitment to building sustainable communities, and knowledge of affordable housing programs and policies will keep our projects rolling and further strengthen CADA’s partnerships and strategic alliances. We believe her integrity and experience will help her identify and champion new opportunities for CADA to further shape housing and the infrastructure of the Capitol Park Neighborhood in downtown Sacramento.
“I am very excited to be joining the CADA team where I can build on the innovative work and partnerships I developed during my tenure at the City,” said Danielle Foster. “I believe CADA has a great organizational platform and talented management team that is uniquely positioned to address housing challenges in Sacramento’s downtown core. I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the Sacramento community, furthering creative concepts, and working alongside my esteemed colleagues in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to collaborate together in addressing housing and economic development issues as we reimagine spaces in a post-pandemic time.”
Foster received a BS Degree in Community & Regional Development from the University of California, Davis and MPA from the University of Southern California (USC) Sacramento Center.