Jeneba Lahai

Jeneba Lahai is the Executive Director of Yolo County Children’s Alliance (YCCA), a countywide nonprofit dedicated to strengthening families and advancing community well-being through integrated, prevention-focused systems. Since assuming leadership in 2021, Jeneba has guided YCCA through a period of strategic growth, expanding programs, deepening cross-sector partnerships, and increasing the organization’s budget by more than 26 percent to better meet community needs. A recognized leader in health equity and systems change, Jeneba has championed initiatives that address the root causes of poor health outcomes, including the Yolo County Universal Basic Income Pilot and the countywide ACEs Trauma-Informed Network of Care. As Chair of the Yolo County Homeless and Poverty Action Coalition (Continuum of Care), she has helped shape regional homelessness strategy and secure critical housing and supportive service resources that directly impact family stability and health outcomes. Jeneba serves on multiple boards and advisory bodies, including the Yolo County Health Council and the West Sacramento Housing Development Corporation, and is actively engaged in local, regional, and statewide collaborations focused on inclusive economic mobility, workforce development, and community-driven solutions. Her leadership has been recognized with numerous honors, including Sacramento Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, the Sacramento Kings Foundation’s Dream All-Star Community Leadership Award, and The Sacramento Bee’s Top 20 Black Change Makers. Originally from Sierra Leone, Jeneba brings a global perspective and lived experience to her work. She is a graduate of Sacramento State University and an alumna of the Sierra Health Foundation’s Health Leadership Program, Leadership Sacramento, and the American Leadership Forum. Jeneba is deeply committed to collaboration, prevention, and building systems that allow children and families to not just survive—but thrive.