R. Shay Miles
R. Shay Miles is a social entrepreneur, supercommunity™ developer, and community investment strategist working at the intersection of community development, economic development, place-based investment, and public-private collaboration. Through Miles McNeal & Powell LLC, she designs strategies that help communities, institutions, and partners move complex initiatives from vision to credible execution. She is dedicated to opportunities that exemplify civic courage by connecting policy, capital, partnerships, community insight, and measurable impact.
R. Shay Miles
Principal of Social Innovation & Community Investment Strategy
- Bay Area Native | Vallejoan: Vallejo, California
- Founder | Chairwoman | Chief Executive Officer of Miles McNeal & Powell LLC
- Founder of 707 Week™, a countywide community investment and economic vitality platform
- Supercommunity™ Developer specializing in community regeneration, social purpose real estate, and urban transformatio
- Social Innovator & Systems Strategist creating, curating, and cultivating community investment
- 20+ years leading strategy across community development, economic development, marketing, and civic initiatives
- 10+ years leading corporate strategy, digital innovation, and purpose-driven marketing for Fortune 500 brands
- Workforce Development Board of Solano County, Microbusiness of the Year Honoree
- Brand Innovators, 40 Under 40 Award
- Leadership Vallejo, Outstanding Achievement Award
>>>>Education & Certifications
- OZ Pros, COZA™ Certification (Certified Opportunity Zone Advisor)
- Center for Community Investment, California Climate Leaders Fellow, 2026–2027
- Stanford Graduate School of Business, Professional Certificate for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- Harvard Business School, Certificate of Completion for Entrepreneurship Essentials
- Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services, Certificate of Completion for Emerging Developers Program
- University of Phoenix, Bachelor’s in Business Administration/Marketing
>>>>Additional Leadership + Professional Development
- Leadership California, Class of 2025
- Leadership Vallejo, Year 15, Class of 2023
- Urban Habitat, Boards & Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI) Fellow
- California State University East Bay, Global Innovators Program
- NASDAQ Entrepreneurial Center, Milestone Circle 35 Graduate + Cornerstone Mentor
- The Center for Global Enterprise, USA Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative Fellowship
Appointments & Civic Leadership
- Community Advisory Councilmember, Metropolitan Transportation Commission / Association of Bay Area Governments (MTC-ABAG), 2026-2029
- Committee Member, Vallejo City Unified School District (VCUSD) Surplus Property Advisory Committee (7-11 Committee), 2025
- Community Advisory Working Group (CAWG) Member, Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Community Action Resource & Empowerment (CARE) Program, 2025
- Commissioner, City of Vallejo Economic Development Commission, 2023
- Capacity Building Grant Implementation Advisor, Vallejo Arts Fund, 2024
- Delegate, Vallejo Housing Justice Coalition, 2022–
- Facilitator, Invest for Better’s Impact Investing Circle Leader, 2022
- California Volunteer, DiscoverE Future City®, 2022
Governance & Institutional Leadership
- Board Treasurer, House of Acts
- Board Member & Marketing Chair, Mira Theatre Guild
- Board Member, Vallejo Main Street
- Board Member, 4th Second
- Founding Board Member, Cultivate Community Food Co-op
- Founding Board Member, BRIDGEGOOD (formerly Oakland Digital Arts & literacy Center)
- Program Ambassador, VF Corporation’s IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Action)