Youth Today: Elizabeth Lindsey is the New CEO of Urban Alliance

Elizabeth Lindsey is the New CEO of Urban Alliance

Elizabeth Lindsey is the new chief executive officer (CEO) of Urban Alliance.

Arriving with a wealth of executive experience in the sector, Lindsey is the outgoing CEO and former executive director of the D.C.-based tech-career development nonprofit, Byte Back. First hired as executive director in September of 2015, Lindsey led all aspects of the organization’s strategy development and management. She was promoted to CEO in January of 2020. Her nearly six years there saw Byte Back expand greatly, with tech training programs in Baltimore being added and Byte Back gaining recognition nationally.

Before Byte Back, Lindsey also spearheaded the operations of Groundswell, a nonprofit focused on helping disadvantaged and diverse communities become more energy efficient and make the switch to local clean energy sources.

The chief operating officer for nearly five years, Lindsey similarly oversaw its growth from a community nonprofit to a nationally-recognized and effective organization. Her work leading Groundswell earned her a place in The Root’s ‘100 Most Influential African Americans of 2019’ list.

A graduate of Swarthmore College and Princeton University, Lindsey’s career actually first began with work in board relations and fund development at Maternity Care Coalition near Philadelphia. She then worked for more than two years in the New Jersey Department of Treasury before moving on to become a program analyst for the District of Columbia’s Department of Employment Services.

“As a first-generation college student, I understand the value of connecting to economically-mobile pathways early, and have spent my career working to ensure that others have access to the same types of opportunities I have had,” said Lindsey in a blog post about her appointment. “I have long admired Urban Alliance’s work to develop young talent and connect youth to lifelong economic self-sufficiency. I’m excited to lead such a talented team dedicated to building better futures for all youth and to continue this critical work – especially now as youth are looking toward a more uncertain future than ever before.”

Elizabeth Lindsey will officially succeed seven-year CEO, Eshauna Smith, on April 12, 2021.