Ahmad Anderson lives by a simple creed:

“Be all you can be when serving your community, do all you can do to support your community, and build relationships throughout your community. Giving back to your community is the rent you pay to live on this earth.”

A 60-year resident of Richmond, Ahmad brings four decades of service advocating for our community and navigating complex bureaucracies to get things done.

Ahmad is a native son of Richmond. His mother and father, Irma Anderson and Rev. Booker T. Anderson, both served as Richmond mayors with a deep commitment to social justice, safety, and affordability.

In his professional life, Ahmad has worked as a Human Resources Director at an international company that employs 380,000 people. He knows how to create a workforce that is affirming and accountable, precisely the kind of expertise needed to guide Richmond toward sustainable budgeting.

Ahmad has also served as a leader at large nonprofit organizations like Goodwill Industries. He brings extensive experience as a regional workforce director, manager of complex projects, budget management, diversity training, human resources, healthcare, and strategic planning. He solves tough problems through teamwork, collaboration, and engagement.

He has also served our community on numerous commissions and regularly works with Richmond’s assorted neighborhood councils to ensure that their concerns are heard and acted upon.

A graduate of Cal, Ahmad is in the Cal Athletics Hall of Fame for authoring the “Bear Territory”
chant.

40+ Years of Experience Serving Our Community:

● Director of People & Culture, Gardens of Golden Gate Park 2022-present
● Director of People & Culture, SFJAZZ 2021-2022
● Chair, City of Richmond Economic Development Commission, 2021-2023
● Vice President (1985-1987) and Economic Development Committee Chair (2021-2022), Richmond NAACP
● Co-Chair, University of California, Berkeley Achievement Awards 2022-2024
● Board of Directors, University of California Alumni Association, 2022-Present
● Board of Directors, Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California, 2023-Present

● Board Member, Saint Mary’s College Preparatory High School Black Alumni Association
● Former Board of Directors, Richmond Chamber of Commerce
● Former Board Member, West Contra Costa Child Care Council
● Former Board Member, West Contra Costa Youth Services Bureau
● Former Board Member, Habitot Children’s Museum
● Former Interim General Manager and Consultant on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, KPFA
● Former Director of Human Resources, National Pacifica Foundation
● Vice President, Oakland Rotary Endowment , 2020-2022
● Cal Athletics Hall of Fame Honoree, 2022 (Author of “Bear Territory” Football Chant)