Coalition for a Better Acre Names Dan Rivera CEO & Installs New Leaders
Pictured above: CBA Chief Executive Officer Dan Rivera with staff and community members.
LOWELL, MA – The Coalition for a Better Acre (CBA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dan Rivera as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective March 10, 2025. Rivera, who has served as CBA’s Interim Executive Director for the past eight months, was selected by the Board of Directors for the permanent role. He succeeds Yun-Ju Choi, who retired in July 2024 after a decade of leadership.
Rivera was appointed Interim Executive Director in June 2024 following an extensive search process. The search committee included Board Chair Sixto DeJesus, executive board members, and CBA staff, led by Search Committee Chair Patricia Coffey.
Coffey stated: "We are thrilled to welcome Dan Rivera as CBA's permanent CEO. During his time as Interim Executive Director, Dan has demonstrated exceptional leadership, a deep commitment to our mission, and the ability to navigate challenges with confidence. His talent for inspiring and mentoring our team and his collaborative approach with the community position CBA for continued success in the years ahead."
Coffey added, "Dan brings a wealth of experience in community development and a strong focus on fostering inclusivity and community engagement. His vision for the future of CBA perfectly aligns with our core values, and we are confident that under his leadership, CBA will continue to create lasting, positive change in the Acre neighborhood."
Board Chair Sixto DeJesus commented, "Dan’s appointment as CEO marks an exciting new chapter for CBA, and we are eager to see what the future holds under his leadership. His unwavering dedication to community development, proven management skills, and deep roots in the region make him the ideal person to guide CBA as we continue to strengthen our programs and expand our impact. We look forward to working with Dan to build on the incredible progress we’ve made and further empower the residents of the Acre neighborhood."
Prior to joining CBA, Rivera served as President & CEO of MassDevelopment, the Commonwealth’s development and landbank agency. He had previously served for seven years as Mayor of the City of Lawrence, MA. A United States Army Desert Shield / Desert Storm veteran, Rivera earned his bachelor’s degree from UMass Amherst and a master’s in business administration from Suffolk University. He and his family live in Lawrence.
Rivera shared: “It is a tremendous honor to be named CEO of CBA. As a mill city kid and son of immigrants, it has been an honor to serve as the Interim Executive Director at CBA.” Rivera said. “I am overjoyed to have been chosen to lead the agency into its next chapter. In my brief time at the agency, I have come to admire the talented and committed staff and appreciate the level of engagement and commitment of the residents of the Acre neighborhood, the community stakeholders, and partners.”
Rivera added, “During these unprecedented times with impending economic troubles, government austerity, and backlash to immigrant communities, CBA’s mission of affordable housing, economic opportunities, and responding to community needs through collective action is going to be needed more than ever to support the families in the Acre.”
Other Important CBA Leadership News!
The Coalition for a Better Acre has also hired Ryan Faria to serve as Chief Financial Officer and promoted lifelong Lowellian and longtime CBA staff member Dolores “Loli” Sierra to Engagement and Empowerment Program Manager. Both are Lowell residents with strong community ties.
About Ryan Faria - Chief Financial Officer
Faria joined the CBA team in January 2025 after having volunteered on the finance committee for two years. As a first-generation college student, he earned his BS in accounting and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. With over a decade of experience in finance and accounting leadership roles, Faria most recently led the finance team at a rapidly growing startup, which had a successful exit in 2021. The company served clients in software, healthcare, and event management industries. Faria is passionate about real estate and owns investment property in Lowell. Outside of work, he is an avid Boston sports fan, a voracious reader, and a lifelong learner. He enjoys spending quality time with his wife Kathryn and young son, Jackson.
About Dolores “Loli” Sierra - Engagement and Empowerment Manager
Sierra joined CBA in 2014 and has been volunteering with the organization since childhood. Before working at CBA, she gained valuable experience at Middlesex Community College, McAuliffe Elementary School, the Lowell Housing Authority, and AmeriCorps. Raised in the Acre neighborhood, Sierra is passionate about giving back to her community, and she enjoys getting creative while planning the numerous events hosted by CBA. Sierra earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a concentration in child and adolescent development, from Southern New Hampshire University. Outside of work, she is actively involved in her church and supports youth and the unhoused. In her free time, Sierra enjoys expressing herself artistically through painting, drawing, and singing.
About CBA - Founded in 1982 to preserve Lowell’s Acre neighborhood during urban renewal, CBA is a member-driven community development corporation providing affordable housing and offering a range of free programs that support financial stability and family and individual wellbeing. The Acre has been home to immigrants since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. Although one of Lowell’s challenged neighborhoods economically, the Acre is rich in history, culture, and possibility.
For more information, visit www.cbacre.org or contact Shamir Rivera-Quintal Director of Operations for the Coalition for a Better Acre, [email protected] or 315-233-9732.