R. Shay Miles

R. Shay Miles is a social innovation strategist and equity advocate with a 20+ year track record of transforming bold ideas into real impact. As the Chairwoman of Miles McNeal & Powell LLC, a community impact interests firm based in Downtown Vallejo, she’s dedicated to inclusive economic development, sustainable land reuse, and equitable reinvestment in historically under-resourced and underserved communities.  

Born and raised in Vallejo, Shay is a lifelong champion of the city’s development. She brings to Vallejo Main Street a deep belief in the power of people, place, and partnership. For Shay, Vallejo is more than where she lives — it’s where she dreams, builds, and acts. She sees extraordinary possibilities here: vacant lots as future landmarks, overlooked talent as emerging leaders, an underinvested downtown as a national case study in revitalization, and historically disadvantaged neighborhoods as ground zero for systems change. Her leadership is grounded in love, respect, and deep understanding of this city — and her work reflects a bold commitment to building a future that leaves no one behind.  

In addition to serving on Vallejo Main Street, Shay contributes her voice and expertise across multiple boards and advisory groups, including the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s Community Advisory Working Group (CAWG). Her career includes senior leadership roles with national nonprofits and Fortune 300 companies — including Trust for Public Land, The North Face, and others — where she led high-impact digital, marketing, and public engagement campaigns to elevate social good.

Locally, Shay is the co-founder of Inspire Vallejo, a youth-centered design initiative focused on civic pride, creative placekeeping, and narrative change; the co-owner of House of Acts, a long-standing recovery-based nonprofit advancing second chances through housing, workforce, and wellness; and a trusted partner on projects involving Opportunity Zones, land reuse, and community wealth building.