Monterey Bay Economic Partnership CEO steps down.

The Monterey Bay Economic Partnership announced Tuesday, Oct. 27, that CEO Tahra Goraya has resigned for personal reasons, and former CEO Kate Roberts will serve as the proxy, effective immediately, while the organization searches for a permanent replacement.  

"MBEP plays a unique role in bringing together business, government and community leaders to tackle the region's most pressing economic challenges," Roberts, who served as MBEP’s CEO from 2015 to 2021, said in a statement. "I'm pleased to support the organization during this transition and help maintain momentum on the important work ahead."

According to the statement, MBEP will remain focused during the transition on advancing its strategic priorities and ensuring continuity across its programs, partnerships and regional initiatives.

“Kate’s deep familiarity with MBEP, its members and regional partners will help provide continuity during this transition,” said MBEP Board Chair Faris Sabbah. “We are grateful to Tahra for her service and wish her well.”

In a posting on LinkedIn, Goraya said, “I’ve decided it is time to transition from my role,” highlighting accomplishments such as securing California’s first federal Economic Development District designation in 15 years for the tri-county Santa Cruz, San Benito, Santa Cruz region, advancing the $7.45 million California Advanced Air Mobility Corridors Initiative, securing nearly $106 million in broadband infrastructure and digital equity and convening the first AI and Creative Economy Summits, among other accomplishments. 

“I am proud of these accomplishments and the relationships, leadership, and organizational capacity we have built,” Goraya said in the post. “With an experienced team, its largest budget in history, and major initiatives moving into implementation, MBEP is well positioned for its next chapter.”