Rosanne Foust, President and CEO of San Mateo County Economic Development Association (SAMCEDA), has built SAMCEDA into an influential and highly regarded inclusive association with membership of Fortune 500 corporations including technology, life sciences, financial services, energy, construction, as well as healthcare, education and non-profits. She facilitates, directs, and encourages conversations important to maintaining a strong local and regional economy, attracting and retaining major employers and good jobs, and creating partnerships between business, government, education, labor and non-profits to address the critical issues of an economy that lifts everyone.

Ms. Foust had a twenty-year career with Alsace Development International USA, Inc., where she formed partnerships through business development activities resulting in billions of dollars in investments to this region in France. Ms. Foust also served for twelve years on the City Council in Redwood City, including as Mayor and Vice Mayor. During her time in elected office, Ms. Foust served for 10 years on the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (five years as Chair) and as an inaugural board member for 7 years on the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority.

Ms. Foust holds a Master of Public Administration, Bachelors of Arts in International Studies and Economics, has completed multiple Executive Education programs at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business (including the Entrepreneurial Boot Camp), as well as completing the year-long Executive Management program at UCLA’s Anderson Graduate School of Management.

The Silicon Valley Business Journal recently recognized Ms. Foust as one of the “Women of Influence 2023,” and the San Francisco Business Times has named Ms. Foust as one of the “Most Influential Women in Business in the Bay Area and to its Forever Influential List.”