Collette Hanna has 20+ years of experience in economic and community development, and in B2B marketing. Starting in the tech industry, and transitioning into community development, her work has consistently garnered results marked with a pattern of introducing new programs, launching a series of “firsts” in both the public and private sectors.

Collette’s work began in B2B marketing in the tech industry, developing the first channel marketing program, working with small business resellers. With a passion for community development, her work transitioned to community and economic development, working with real estate developers, large corporations, and small businesses for job creation, expansion of entrepreneurship opportunities, and smart development projects. Working in the cities and suburbs of Northern California, as well as from the high desert to beach cities in Southern California – in municipal organizations, nonprofits, and downtown business improvement districts – her work has resulted in the creation of over 500 advanced manufacturing jobs, support and advancement of small businesses and entrepreneurs, and work in multiple industries, including retail, logistics, bioscience, cleantech, and digital entertainment. Some accomplishments of which she’s most proud are the launch of an economic development strategic plan for Los Angeles County as the first to address poverty and underrepresented communities for the agency, launch of Santa Monica’s first civic hackathon to engage tech start-ups on community issues, and leading Walnut Creek’s first DEI employee task force to advance a culture of belonging within the city.

Her passion is in amplifying the voice of marginalized communities, and has done so through her volunteer work mentoring BIPOC and women-owned small business owners in Oakland, as well as mentoring high school girls in West Oakland with the Oakland Education Fund and Watts with the EmpowHer Institute. She served on the boards of TeamCalifornia and YMCA Santa Monica, and served as a committee member of the Culver City Committee on Homelessness.

Collette holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from San Diego State University and an MBA from Pepperdine University. As a nature lover, she enjoys hiking and walks along the beach and the Bay Area parks. When she and her family aren’t engaging in political debates, they enjoy watching the latest superhero movie.