Eba Laye is a long-time resident of South Central, a licensed attorney since 1975, and an active member of the Bar of the District of Columbia. She practiced law for 15 years before pursuing a career in community economic development. Specializing in community-based business and real estate development, she developed numerous projects from a sustainable agriculture revolving loan fund in N.C, the development of a 600,000 acre multi-use community facility in rural Georgia, for-profit and non-profit shopping centers, and the syndication of multiple low income housing projects in L.A. She has played a prominent training and technical assistance role to community –based organizations statewide and nationally, and is certified as a trainer of trainers by the California State CED Association. From 1998–2003, Ms. Laye served as Vice President for Planning and Analysis at Countrywide Home Loans where she designed and implemented database management systems and conducted process engineering projects. Since that time she has innovated process engineering methodologies in the education and health sectors and has specialized in the development and management of education programs, including after school, vocational, private, charter, and alternative schools. In 1996, along with two other South Central LA residents, she founded Entrepretech, which offered vocational training and student programs in computer-based education and new media, which became Whole Systems Learning in 2001. She currently serves as the Executive Director and full-time academic coach at WSL.