Introducing Shiloh Ballard, SVBC's new Executive Director

Following a nationwide search, SVBC’s Board of Directors is very pleased to announce the selection of a new Executive Director for the organization. Shiloh Ballard will be stepping into the executive role in April and using her extensive nonprofit and advocacy experience to continue the organization’s growth. Shiloh is a highly respected member of the Silicon Valley community who has long been involved in active transportation issues as an advocate and a bike-commuting resident of San José.Shiloh comes to SVBC after 14 years at the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, where she currently serves as Senior Vice President for Housing and Community Development. As a member of the executive team, Shiloh plays a support role in the growth and development of the Leadership Group while managing the organization’s policy advocacy for land use, housing and transportation. She is an expert on local transportation and land use issues and is known as someone who gets things done.Among her many accolades, Shiloh was recognized as one of San José Silicon Valley Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” in 2008 and was named a “Woman in Leadership”” by the YMCA in 2011. She has served on a number of boards and committees, including the Great Communities Collaborative Advisory Board, the California Housing Consortium Board of Governors, and the Association of Bay Area Governments Regional Planning Committee. Her leadership experience gives Shiloh invaluable relationships and insight into local government processes.“I can’t think of a community leader with greater passion, intellect, or collaborative skills to lead SVBC than Shiloh Ballard,” says the newly elected Mayor of San José, Sam Liccardo. “Under her leadership, we’ll be able to take the bike-friendly culture of our valley to the next level.”As a member of Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)’s General Manager Nuria Fernandez’s Strategic Advisory Committee, Shiloh also has influence on regional transportation issues. “It is an exciting time for bicycling as our State policies now recognize the important role of pedal power in improving environmental, human and economic health,” says Nuria. “Shiloh’s track record in the community as a committed leader of sustainable growth and development will be a wonderful asset to the Bike Coalition.”Shiloh will begin work at the Bicycle Coalition in late April, after she has transitioned out of her role at the Leadership Group. Current SVBC Executive Corinne Winter will remain in her position in the interim and through the new Executive Director’s on-boarding in late April and early May.As a member-elected director for SVBC until recently, Shiloh is quite familiar with the organization and its work. “Stepping up to replace Corinne is both an exciting opportunity and a daunting challenge,” says Shiloh. “Corinne took a start-up organization with a meager budget and just one staffer and turned it into a professional, respected, highly effective advocacy organization with a staff of ten in less than a decade. I am excited to take over where Corinne left off and in particular, to focus on scaling the organization through the strength of our membership. Growing our membership and translating the collective passion of cyclists into pro-cycling policy wins is an area I’m eager to tackle.”"After a national call for candidates and a thorough review of the applicants, it turns out that the best person for the job was already working closely with us,” says James Lucas, the current SVBC Board Chair. “The board is confident that Shiloh has the skills, vision, and passion to continue and advance the wonderful job Corinne has done with SVBC."