The San Francisco Housing Development Corporation (SFHDC) is delighted to announce that Melissa Jeng and Cecilia Mkondiwa  have joined the organization’s Board of Directors, effective May 2024.  The two new Board members fill existing vacancies on the all-volunteer governing board, and add to the knowledge and skills of the 36-year-old nonprofit housing and community development agency.

With over a decade of experience in both market-rate and affordable housing development, Melissa Jeng brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to community-driven affordable housing initiatives.

Currently serving as a Principal Property Development Officer at BART, Melissa is at the forefront of converting BART properties into vibrant, transit-oriented neighborhoods. Her role involves the intricate management of transit-oriented developments (TOD), including the issuance of RFQ/Ps, selection of development teams, and negotiation of development agreements. Her work ensures that new developments meet community needs and sustainability goals.

Melissa’s extensive background includes key positions at MidPen Housing and Lendlease, where she led coordination, transactions, and negotiations for significant projects like the Downtown West mixed-use district in San Jose. During her tenure at MidPen Housing, she played a pivotal role in securing new affordable housing projects across the Bay Area, showcasing her dedication to expanding housing opportunities and enhancing community living spaces.

Melissa’s passion for affordable housing, coupled with her interest in corporate governance and nonprofit boards, brought her to SFHDC. She is committed to leveraging her skills in real estate development and community engagement to advance SFHDC’s mission of providing affordable housing solutions in San Francisco.

As a member of the ULI/MOHCD Developers of Color 2023-2024 cohort, Melissa has demonstrated her commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity within the real estate sector. Her involvement in this program highlights her proactive approach to personal and professional growth in alignment with SFHDC’s values.

Our second addition to the SFHDC Board of Directors, Cecilia Mkondiwa, brings a wealth of experience in social impact, business, and technology, with a distinguished career dedicated to creating sustainable employment opportunities and promoting diversity in leadership roles.

As Managing Director at Tiderise Technologies Inc., Cecilia has played a pivotal role in transforming lives by harnessing the power of technology to create employment opportunities in Malawi, training and employing the nation’s educated and ambitious youth to support global business processes. Her commitment to making a difference extends beyond borders, exemplified by her co-founding of Synergy Executive and Boards Consulting Group in Canada, where she specializes in recruiting diverse management teams and providing governance training.

Cecilia’s journey in empowering women began as a Business Advisor at WeBC, a federally funded organization in Canada. She ascended to the role of Chief Operations Officer, where she was instrumental in helping thousands of women business owners reach their entrepreneurial goals through customized advisory services, training, and funding. Her efforts have been recognized widely, including being named one of British Columbia’s most influential women in finance in 2019.

At SFHDC, Cecilia is eager to leverage her leadership, financial, strategic, and operational expertise to further our mission of fostering financial stability through affordable housing development, homeownership facilitation, and economic empowerment in San Francisco. Her deep commitment to social impact and her proven track record in business leadership will undoubtedly enrich our organization’s efforts to build resilient communities.

Please join us in welcoming Cecilia and Melissa to our Board of Directors. We are so excited to see how their unique insights and dedicated leadership will help us further the significant strides we are taking in serving our community.