Meet Our Team > Sheryl E. Lane

Sheryl Lane, Governance and Policy Advisor, works with Cities & People team members and clients to develop successful initiatives that support Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, and low-income people in getting appointed to and serving in public office. Additionally, Sheryl regularly weighs in and provides support for our policy research, development, and evaluation projects.

Sheryl, a native of Richmond California, is a leader who brings demonstrated experience in both social sector management and community change. She is passionate about engaging communities and constituents on public policy issues that impact their lives and working with them to develop ideas and solutions that result in a positive change and better opportunities for accessing financial security and prosperity, quality education, and health and wellness. 

Sheryl is the Executive Director of Building Blocks for Kids (BBK), and under her leadership and vision, BBK is realizing its mission to invest in individual transformation to promote thriving families and community change. 

Prior to joining BBK, Sheryl was the Director of Public Policy and Partnerships at SaverLife (formerly EARN) a national nonprofit focused on financial security for low-income households. While at EARN, she led an effort to modernize the CalWORKs program and allow California’s poorest families to save and not lose critical financial assistance. 

Sheryl completed eight years of service as a member, and later chair, of the Richmond Planning Commission. She previously directed the Richmond Equitable Development Initiative at Urban Habitat and served on the staff for the Mayor of San Jose as a Community Relations aide and Policy Analyst. She holds a Master's of Science in Urban Policy and Management from the Milano Graduate School of Management and Urban Policy at the New School in New York City, as well as two B.A.s, one in Sociology and another in Psychology and Social Behavior, both from the University of California, Irvine.

Sheryl’s priority is raising her young son to reach his fullest potential. She loves to play tennis, learning how to become a voice actor, and traveling the world.

Education

The New School
Master of Science, Urban Policy and Management

University of California, Irvine
Bachelor of Arts Psychology and Social Behavior and Sociology

Activities & Affiliations

Black Women for Political Action (BWOPA): Richmond/Contra Costa County, Secretary

West Contra Costa Democratic Club, Member