Sibusisiwe Malaba, MPP, MPA, serves as the Executive Director of Economic Opportunity at Newark Alliance, where she leads initiatives aimed at fostering inclusive economic growth and advancing equity throughout Newark. In this role, Sibusisiwe is instrumental in developing and implementing strategies that promote economic mobility and equitable development across the city.​

Prior to this position, Sibusisiwe was the Chief Strategy and Impact Officer at Newark Alliance, responsible for integrating economic mobility best practices and advancing Hire, Buy, Live Newark measures across Alliance programs and partnerships. Her work involved collaborating with anchor institutions to drive systemic change and promote community wealth-building initiatives.​

Sibusisiwe arrived in Newark in 2019 as part of her National Urban Fellowship placement in Prudential Financial’s Office of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). As a Graduate Fellow, she analyzed Newark anchor institutions through her research capstone on Newark anchor partnerships, which received Baruch College’s 2019 Rutledge Award for Outstanding Academic Capstone Achievement.​

A seasoned public servant committed to advancing racial equity through public policy and partnerships, Sibusisiwe brings over 15 years of professional experience in public affairs and racial justice. Before arriving in Newark, she served as Executive Director for the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus (MBLLC), where she was responsible for defining, highlighting, and analyzing issues affecting people of color in Massachusetts. Under her leadership, the MBLLC secured several policy victories in the state budget, criminal justice reform, cannabis regulation, equal pay, and racial justice legislation. Sibusisiwe also held roles in the Massachusetts Legislature, electoral campaigns, and educational nonprofits.​

She holds a Master of Public Policy from Tufts University and a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College. Outside of work, Sibusisiwe enjoys politics, traveling, and experiencing Newark’s vibrant live music scene