Vanessa Cooper serves as the Executive Director of the Housing Authority of the City of Alameda (AHA). AHA owns and develops affordable housing and manages a Section 8 voucher program, resident services and property management. The Housing Authority also serves as the Successor Housing Agency and the Rent Stabilization Program Administrator. Vanessa serves as President of Island City Development, AHA's non-profit housing development affiliate which has built two LIHTC properties since 2018, with a third currently under construction. Prior to joining AHA, Vanessa served as the Real Estate Services Director for the Santa Clara County Housing Authority (SCCHA). Her responsibilities included development, construction, asset management, property management and resident services for over 2000 affordable LIHTC housing units. Vanessa also worked for NeighborWorks America teaching asset management. She previously worked for Charities Housing, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County and the Bank of England/Financial Services Agency. Vanessa has a BA from Bath University (UK), an MBA from Durham University (UK) and an MA from San Jose State University. Vanessa attended Harvard's Kennedy School of Government as a Fannie Mae fellow in the State and Local Officials program.Vanessa’s experience includes providing housing and services for seniors, families, migrant workers, and special needs populations, including the chronically homeless, disabled and domestic violence victims. Vanessa is a California licensed Real Estate Broker and Certified RCFE Administrator. Vanessa holds certifications as a Certified Housing Asset Manager, Certified Section 8 Executive Manager and in LIHTC compliance. Vanessa is past President of the California Association of Housing Authorities (CAHA). Vanessa served on NAHRO’s committees on Housing Policy and Strategic Planning and led the creation of NAHRO's Diversity Task Force. She also taught classes in housing economics and policy at San Jose State University.