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Livermore Downtown Inc. Executive Director Ruby Lopez-Villarreal announced this month that she will be exiting the nonprofit Feb. 28, following three years at the helm.
In an interview with Livermore Vine, she cited unsustainable compensation and a lack of medical benefits among her reasons for the decision.
Leading up to her departure, Lopez-Villarreal will help the 501c3 advocate of Livermore’s downtown businesses find her replacement — someone she says may want to make a positive impact and can afford to take on the job’s pay.
As for her next role, Lopez-Villarreal said she could not share any details nor its location, but said she will continue to pursue her passion for community engagement and communication.
“I love what I do and I did not want to leave – I’m sad to leave. As much as I love working here, I also just needed to ensure my next role aligned with being able to support and sustain my family,” Lopez-Villarreal told Livermore Vine. “It’s a sad reality that some local nonprofit leaders and organizations face.”
Before becoming the executive director of LDI, Lopez-Villarreal worked as the producer of its TV show called, “Livermore Life,” from 2006 to 2008. During the next two years, she served as LDI’s director of marketing.
Then in February 2022, she became the nonprofit’s executive director.
“Coming from a small-business family — one that owned a restaurant and store for over 35 years — I deeply understand the value of organizations like LDI,” she said. I accepted this position because I wanted to serve families who are just like mine: families who understand the challenges and joys of running a business.”
While leading the nonprofit, she ushered in nearly $400,000 in grant funding to support the organization’s mission; increased event revenues and sponsorships for events like Street Fest and Witches Night Out and the Holiday Village. She led initiatives like the 2024 Holiday plan which included the Holly Jolly Trolley, Putters Holiday Pop Up and the community gift card program; managed ongoing communication efforts between the downtown businesses and the city of Livermore regarding construction projects, outdoor dining policies and neighborhood preservation as well as initiated free education and training resources to support downtown businesses in partnership with the Livermore Police Department regarding ABC/LEADS training for alcohol and beverage service and working with the homeless liaison units, according to a statement announcing her resignation.
During the organization’s 2023-24 fiscal year, LDI found the core of the city lost 16 businesses but gained back the same number, according to LDI’s annual report provided to the Livermore City Council at its Jan. 13 regular meeting. By comparison, the previous fiscal year saw the loss of only six businesses and the opening of five.
Meanwhile, 131 jobs were gained and 126 were lost — including part-time and full-time positions — for a net gain of five jobs.
An equal number of closures and openings, as well as net gains in job creation, show resilience within the community, according to the report.
Now eyeing the door, Lopez-Villarreal said in a statement, “Although it is difficult to say goodbye, this decision comes as part of my ongoing pursuit of career advancement and professional growth. I hold LDI in the highest regard, and I will always treasure the time I spent with this incredible organization.”
She added, “I am confident that the foundation we have built together will continue to propel LDI toward even greater success.”
The process of choosing a replacement executive director involves attracting candidates and conducting interview panels.
Lopez-Villarreal said LDI’s inclusion in state and national main street associations may bring in the next leaders.
“Attracting and maintaining top talent and leadership positions is the key to the success of any nonprofit,” she said. “Unfortunately, many nonprofits have faced the reality that the funding gap really makes it difficult to offer competitive compensation for leaders who are the driving force behind these organizations.”
On the subject of finding a long-term leader of LDI amid the pay and lack of benefits pushing her away, Lopez-Villarreal said, “We’ve had success with that before. Rachael Snedecor, who was the executive director prior to myself, was here for 21 years…I do feel strongly we’ll be able to find somebody like that again.”
The candidate may want to be a positive change-maker and able to afford a living in the role, she said. But she said there is not a specific type of person who can do this job.
Though the candidate has to know a little bit of everything, including economic and community development, marketing, historic preservation and nonprofit management, she explained.
“We know it’s a big ask, but we also know there are a lot of passionate people out there, like myself, who are looking to and able to support these organizations,” Lopez-Villarreal said.
“I’ll be here the entire way to make sure that the transition is seamless and the next person is supported,” she said. “I’m going to continue to be a strong advocate for LDI and the mission, no matter where I go, so I’m not gone. Essentially everyone has my phone and I’m just a call away. I’m always going to be here to champion for LDI.”
Though Lopez-Villarreal considers it unlikely the organization is unsuccessful in finding a new executive director or lacks confidence in a leader before her departure, Lopez-Villarreal said “I will never just leave us without a plan. So I will be here to ensure that we do have a seamless transition, even if it takes a bit longer.”
The executive director job listing is available here. The deadline for applications is Jan. 27.
