Robert M. Sausedo

President/CEO, Community Build, Inc.
Founder, CRSSLA

Robert M. Sausedo is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Community Build Inc., a 27-year-old legacy organization in South Los Angeles. A native Angeleno, Sausedo has been engaged and involved with civic matters that impact youth, economic development, social justice and literacy for over 30 years. He, along with several of his colleagues, led a post-1992 Civil Unrest effort to rebuild and expand the Jefferson – Vassie D. Wright Memorial Branch Library in the Jefferson Park community of Los Angeles. Prior to joining CBI, Mr. Sausedo served as Deputy for Agency and Review for Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. His responsibilities included a broad portfolio covering economic development, community engagement, commission appointments and development. Prior to joining Supervisor Ridley-Thomas’ staff, Sausedo held several local, statewide and national positions in the energy efficiency and financial services sectors. As Community Build’s President and CEO, Mr. Sausedo manages a staff of 68 in two, separate locations, in Leimert Park and the Westmont/West Athens Communities. One of Mr. Sausedo’s major responsibilities is leading executive management in identifying new program services and growth opportunities that will enable Community Build to achieve its strategic objectives and ensure long-term viability as a key African-American community development corporation that meets the unique needs of underserved groups in South Los Angeles and adjacent service areas. Most recently, Mr. Sausedo launched the Community Response System of South Los Angeles (CRSSLA) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This Community Response System organized over 30 nonprofits, churches and stakeholders to collaborate resources to benefit the needs of South Los Angeles. Since starting CRSSLA on March 14, 2020 thousands of residents have received assistance ranging from food security, mental health counseling, small business assistance and a host of services. In addition to the South Los Angeles Network of Partners, another chapter has launched as the Community Response System of San Diego.

Cheryl Branch

Executive Director, Los Angeles Metropolitan Churches

A native of Southern California, Cheryl A. Branch has spent the past 30 years of her life improving the quality-of-life in communities of color. She has participated in local, state and federal projects directed at increasing the distribution of culturally competent health services, economic development policy, education/training opportunities, civic and funding resources in urban communities.

Cheryl is a professional administrator and is skilled in organization development, data collection and analysis, problem solving, crisis management, public relations, financial management, planning, controlling and directing an organization’s resources in order to achieve the objectives of that organization. Branch is trained and experienced in private sector revenue management, cause marketing, pricing, performance tracking, exit and succession planning.

Cheryl is public sector trained & experienced in public policy formation, government relations, strategic planning, external relations, leadership development, & mergers. Cheryl has been executive director of three successful non-profit organizations, and she owns three small businesses in Los Angeles. While playing a pivotal role in bridging policy and service in California, Cheryl’s passion for minority empowerment has remained high. Cheryl is an avid backgammon player, and is co-author of two text books currently used by California Alcohol and Drug Program Educators and U.C.L.A./ISAP ATTC Program.

Cheryl was educated in Europe at Cambridge University in England, U.S.C. undergraduate in Public Administration and holds a Master of Science Degree in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University. Today, her personal and professional commitment has paid tremendous dividends to both her family as well as communities throughout the nation. Cheryl is one of the most recognized urban planning strategists, addiction and behavioral health policy practitioners in the country; establishing levels of corporate, public, ecumenical, community and private participation that is modeled nationwide.