The Center for Economic Opportunity and Belonging (CEOB) today announced the appointment of Robert Roake as director of operations, effective January 23. The CEOB was launched in 2021 as the private sector’s commitment to the Utah Compact on Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. The organization is currently in the process of expanding its focus on dismantling the inequities that drive racial disparities, and Roake will build the infrastructure necessary to support the CEOB’s mission.

“The CEOB is in the midst of an exciting transition period, and I am thrilled to have Rob join our team,” said Ze Min Xiao, director of the CEOB. “Rob’s extensive experience in non-profit management and fund development will help establish an even stronger foundation for the CEOB to expand its mission in the coming year.”

Roake brings a broad range of leadership experience in non-profit management, community partnership building, and fundraising, most recently serving as chief operations officer at NeighborWorks Salt Lake (NWSL). In this role, he contributed to the growth of services and impact of the organization. Most recently, Roake spearheaded both the first merger in NWSL’s 45-year history and the establishment of the NeighborWorks Community Land Trust. He previously worked for the U.S. House of Representatives for Congressman Jim Matheson.

“I am honored to be a part of this incredible team,” said Roake. “The CEOB has a lot of exciting things on the horizon, and I look forward to building more equitable economic opportunities for the underserved communities in Utah.”  

The CEOB is a nonprofit organization—currently housed under the EDCUtah Foundation—with the mission to engage communities of color and catalyze private and philanthropic partnerships to remedy racial disparities in economic opportunity, education, health, and housing in Utah. The CEOB envisions that Utahns of all races can realize and contribute their best selves to the economic, social, cultural, and political life of the state in an environment of welcoming, inclusion, belonging, and equitable access to share and grow the many resources of the state.  The CEOB engages with partners, especially communities of color, to identify roots causes and feasible solutions.  

Learn more about the CEOB.