Investing in Leadership Solutions that Advance Nonprofit Excellence Speakers

Lee Anne Adams, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, NeighborWorks America

Lee Anne Adams has more than 20 years of experience working with community development organizations on the design, implementation and evaluation of community-based economic development in the U.S. and Latin America. Her previous roles with NeighborWorks America include the interim vice president of operations and the senior director of Project Reinvest. Prior to joining our National Initiatives Division, Lee Anne spent six years with the NeighborWorks Training Division.

She has also worked for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the World Bank, the Futures Group International and the U.S. Peace Corps. Lee Anne has a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Toledo, and a Master of Arts in International Development from George Washington University.

Elizabeth Alonzo-Villarreal, President & CEO, NeighborWorks Laredo

Since January 2015, Elizabeth has been the President & Chief Executive Officer at NeighborWorks Laredo in Laredo, Texas, a South Texas border city also serving rural communities. NWLaredo was founded in 1991 promoting homeownership, credit coaching, affordable rental housing, foreclosure prevention, construction, lending, and is a HUD-approved counseling agency. She deeply believes and promotes housing as a basic human right and has experience in developing affordable housing, whether it be rental or homeownership. Previous to becoming the President & CEO, she served for seven years as a board member for NeighborWorks Laredo.

Elizabeth earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor's in Business Administration. She earned an Executive Certification in Non-Profit Management and is a graduate of the Achieving Excellence Program at Harvard Kennedy School of Business, where her performance challenge was to become a CDFI, which her board of directors approved, as there is no CDFI within a 150-mile radius. NeighborWorks Laredo is now a Certified CDFI.

With her leadership, NeighborWorks Laredo attained “Exemplary Status”, she credits this success with the support of her Board of Directors and Staff. In 2018, she was selected “Practitioner of the Year” amongst her National NeighborWorks Association (NNA) peers. She serves on the board of directors of NNA and is the Co-Governance Chair. She also serves on the Texas Association of Community Development Corporation (TACDC) as Secretary and is also the Vice Chair of the NeighborWorks Alliance of Texas organization. Elizabeth is also NCHEC Certified for Homeownership Counseling Executive Directors and is also a Public Housing Manager. She serves as a board member of the Laredo Chamber of Commerce, and the Laredo Chamber Foundation as Treasurer/Secretary.

Elizabeth’s passion is to develop affordable housing opportunities through rental, homeownership and with critical home repairs. Currently, NeighborWorks Laredo is developing 24 new affordable homes, and since 2022 has provided approximately 80 Webb and Zapata rural homeowners with weatherization and critical home repairs. In addition, has provided over 100 Laredo rental and homeowner units with weatherization and critical home repairs.

Michael Butchko, Vice President of Business Intelligence, NeighborWorks America

As the vice president of Business Intelligence at NeighborWorks, Michael Butchko provides NeighborWorks America and the NeighborWorks network with cutting-edge technology and data visualization experts to communicate national and local impact. This million-dollar, enterprise-wide technology endeavor is an example of his commitment to gathering and incorporating stakeholder feedback and entrepreneurship and making complex technology accessible to diverse organizations. He also partnered with Tableau (a world-renowned interactive data visualization software company) on the NeighborWorks Tableau Fellowship, a first of its kind capacity building initiative to advance the analytical capacity and culture of the NeighborWorks network.

Since Butchko joined the NeighborWorks team in 2000, he's proven himself as a programs expert with experience leading and collaborating on initiatives across every NeighborWorks division. Passionate about strengthening the capacity of the network, he also volunteered as an Excellence in Governance board coach from 2013-2018 and was consistently recognized as a top-rated coach by each of the three nonprofits that he mentored, with board members and CEOs citing his critical thinking and leadership abilities.

Butchko holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Wilkes University. He also holds a Master of Science in Public Policy Analysis from the University of Rochester, where he worked with a local community foundation to build a structure to measure its impact and recommended these proposed changes to the foundation’s management and board of directors. Butchko actively supports community access to local food by hosting a neighborhood farm drop and working with local mission-driven nonprofits providing services to underserved residents.

Rathi Casey, Deputy CEO, Homewise

Rathi Casey brings a multidisciplinary background in design, innovation, and operations to her work in mortgage lending. With roots in architecture and technology, she approaches lending systems through a holistic, human-centered lens, focused on how tools can better serve both clients and teams.

Rathi serves as Deputy CEO at Homewise, a New Mexico-based CDFI, where she oversees Marketing, IT, HR, Financial Coaching, and Mortgage Lending operations. Her work sits at the intersection of product, process, and people, leading efforts to modernize lending workflows, integrate platforms, and design more intuitive client journeys from first touch to closing.

Born in Southern India and raised in Hong Kong, Rathi brings a global perspective shaped by work across Paris, New York, Houston, San Francisco, and Hong Kong. That foundation continues to influence how she thinks about systems, blending structure, usability, and impact.

A recognized community leader, Rathi received the 2025 Jennifer Riordan Community Service Award and serves on several boards, including Explora and the ULI Global Governing Trustees Board.
Rathi is a wife, a mother of three, and someone who believes good design, whether in buildings or lending systems, can unlock opportunity at scale.

Melinda Colón Cox, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Compliance Officer, New Jersey Community Capital (NJCC)

Melinda Colón Cox is Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at New Jersey Community Capital (NJCC), the state's largest CDFI, overseeing approximately $700 million in assets across four business lines: Lending, Real Estate, Investment Ventures, and Strategic Community Consulting. As COO/CCO, she leads NJCC's Resource Development, Legal and Compliance, Human Resources, and IT functions, driving execution of the organization's strategic plan and its mission to deliver equitable capital solutions to underserved communities. She also guides operations and strategy for NJCC's wholly owned subsidiary, Community Asset Preservation Corporation (CAPC) – New Jersey's largest affordable housing developer with more than 500 housing units and approximately 500,000 square feet of commercial space under its management, with capabilities in development, property management, asset management, and homeownership programs.

Melinda joined NJCC in 2022 as the organization's first General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, following more than a decade representing national banks, financial institutions, and mortgage lenders and servicers as a partner and executive committee member at a national law firm. Earlier in her career, she clerked for U.S. District Court Judge Michael A. Shipp and practiced real estate and redevelopment law at a prominent New Jersey firm.
A recognized leader in the legal community, Melinda is a past president of the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey and serves on various legal and professional committees. She also currently serves as Chairwoman of the Cristian Rivera Foundation. Melinda holds a J.D. from Rutgers School of Law – Newark and is admitted to practice in New Jersey and New York.

Chrystel Cornelius, President & CEO, Oweesta Corporation

Chrystel Cornelius is the President & CEO of the Oweesta Corporation, a national Native CDFI intermediary predominantly serving Native communities across the United States, Alaska, and Hawaii.
Ms. Cornelius has worked with Native communities for most of her professional career, with more than 26 years of experience working in the Native economic development field. She is an enrolled member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians located in North Dakota. Ms. Cornelius has dedicated her career to capitalizing Native communities, upholding tribal sovereignty and self-determination measures through the issuance of capital and organizational capacity-building efforts.

Chrystel Cornelius is a founding board member for the Native CDFI Network (NCN). Ms. Cornelius is also a former board member of Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) and the Community Reinvestment Fund (CRF). She is a BALLE Fellow and Skoll Fellow. Ms. Cornelius was also the recipient of the 27th Heinz Awards for the Economy.
Ms. Chrystel Cornelius attained a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota.”

Brennan Crawford, Executive Director & CEO, Build WyCo

Brennan Crawford has served as Build WyCo's Executive Director & CEO since November 2016. He joined Build WyCo, formerly CHWC, in 2014 as the Director of Housing & Economic Development and became Associate Executive Director in January 2016. Prior to his work at Build WyCo, Brennan worked for 15 years in housing, economic & workforce development, and social enterprise in the government, nonprofit, and for-profit sectors in the Kansas City Metro and New Orleans.
 

He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) in Urban Administration from UMKC’s Bloch School with a certificate in Community Economic Development. Brennan is a lifelong resident of the Kansas City metro who has lived in Kansas City, Kansas since 2017. He recently built a modern condominium for the neighborhood cats on his front porch.

Janice Crawford, Chief Credit Officer, Neighborhood Lending Services, Inc. (NLS)

Janice is an accomplished financial services executive with deep expertise in community development finance, mortgage banking, credit risk management, and strategic operations. With a career spanning mortgage lending, asset disposition, mortgage servicing, home preservation, and capital formation, she has been strategically leading the CDFI lending arm, Neighborhood Lending Services, Inc., an affiliate of NHS Chicago, while driving operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and sustainable growth.

As Chief Credit Officer at Neighborhood Lending Services, Inc. (NLS), Janice provides executive leadership for enterprise-wide credit strategy, risk management, product innovation, and portfolio performance across the organization's lending platform. She oversees the design and implementation of lending programs that advance affordable homeownership while ensuring strong credit quality and alignment with the expectations of investors, regulators, and capital partners. She has also played a pivotal role in expanding the organization's Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) lending
platform by strengthening strategic partnerships, enhancing operational infrastructure, and supporting long-term capital formation.

Known for her collaborative leadership style, Janice combines strategic vision with disciplined execution to build infrastructures that deliver measurable financial results and meaningful community impact. She is recognized for developing innovative lending solutions, strengthening operational performance, cultivating strategic partnerships, and creating sustainable frameworks that enable organizations to grow responsibly while fulfilling their mission.

Janice is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Business Administration with a specialization in Management and Organizations. She also holds a Master of Science in Information Technology Management with a concentration in IT Project Management and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Project Management.

Donyetta Edwards, Loan Officer, Community Housing Capital

As a Loan Officer, Donyetta Edwards originates both Interim and Permanent loans by supporting existing client relationships and identifying new relationships for expansion. With more than 20 years of experience, Ms. Edwards has spent the last 15 years specializing in affordable housing lending and underwriting.

Prior to joining Community Housing Capital, Ms. Edwards served as Manager of Investment Underwriting, overseeing the Underwriting/Syndication group and serving as a Project Underwriting Manager for LIHTC deals for Gardner Capital, a state tax credit equity provider.

Ms. Edwards also served as Assistant Vice President for Truist Bank Community Capital as a Senior Portfolio Specialist. Her primary responsibility was to manage
and underwrite community development activities, including LIHTC, Historic Tax Credits, and other private equity investments.

Ms. Edwards holds both a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Dan Ellis, Chief Executive Officer, Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore, Inc. (NHS)

Dan Ellis is the Chief Executive Officer of Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore, Inc. (NHS). Over his 15-year tenure, he has led the organization through significant growth, expanding staff from 13 to 40 employees. During this time, earned income has grown from a minimal share of the budget to $2.2 million annually, now accounting for more than half of NHS’s operating revenue. In the past five years alone, NHS has helped more than 1,300 individuals achieve homeownership, with 75% of its investments focused on people and communities of color that have historically lacked access to financial opportunities. In 2026, NHS received the NeighborWorks Impact Award from the National NeighborWorks Association.
Mr. Ellis plays a key leadership role in community development efforts across Baltimore. He co-chaired Mayor Brandon Scott’s commission on tax sale reform and serves on the Mayor’s tax credit task force. He is also a member of the Baltimore Vacant Reinvestment Council Finance Committee, contributing to the leadership of a $3 billion state and city initiative aimed at addressing vacant properties.
A graduate of NeighborWorks America’s 18-month Achieving Excellence program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School, Mr. Ellis holds a Master of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary and a bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University. Recognized as an industry leader, he frequently speaks on urban housing and lending issues nationwide and has received numerous awards for his contributions to the field.

Lori Finnesand, Chief Executive Officer, GROW South Dakota

Lori Finnesand is the Chief Executive Officer of GROW South Dakota. GROW SD has created and driven many innovative and replicable projects. Lori has been employed with the organization since 1991 and has served as CEO since 2004. The CEO position is currently shared with another tenured staff member.

She has a broad range of experience in mobilizing and administering resources from private, state, and government funding sources. She currently oversees more than 80 diverse funding sources directed towards sustainable housing, community, and economic development activities. Lori has a B.A. in Business Administration and an Education degree from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. She is also a graduate of Achieving Excellence in Community Development from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, NeighborWorks Certification in Management and Leadership, and recipient of the 2018 SBA Women Empowerment & Entrepreneurship, 2011 SBA Financial Services Advocate of the Year for South Dakota, and 2023 Enterprising Woman Intrapreneur award from SD Women’s Business Center.

Lori currently serves on the New Markets Tax Credits Advisory Board for Dakotas America, a board member of the Roberts County Mutual Insurance Corporation, and a board member for Coteau Des Prairies HealthCare Organization and Tekakwitha Living Center.

Bryce Garner, Chief Executive Officer, NeighborWorks Salt Lake

Bryce Garner is the Chief Executive Officer of NeighborWorks Salt Lake, bringing a deep, long-term commitment to community development and affordable housing. Before stepping into the executive leadership role in 2025, Bryce dedicated 12 years to serving on the organization's Board of Directors. His professional background includes extensive experience in grant management and administration at the University of Utah, as well as participation in the American Express Leadership Academy. Bryce is a passionate advocate for innovative development strategies, particularly the Community Land Trust model.

At NeighborWorks Salt Lake, Bryce leads initiatives designed to build community wealth and stabilize neighborhoods. The organization’s primary lending tool is the Affordable Housing Mission Investment fund, a robust program that supports Exemplary and Strong NeighborWorks Organizations. By offering up to $2 million in 5-year, enterprise-level loans, the fund provides critical capital to advance and sustain impactful affordable housing initiatives across communities.

Stephen T. Gieringer, CEO / President & CEO (PHLC), Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Berks, Inc.

Stephen T. Gieringer is Chief Executive Officer of Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Berks, Inc. (NHS) and President & CEO of the Pennsylvania Home Lending Collaborative (PHLC), a statewide CDFI lending platform serving all 67 counties in Pennsylvania. Since assuming leadership in 2017, he has grown NHS from approximately $4.8 million to more than $28 million in assets while helping more than 2,400 families achieve Home Ownership. Under his leadership, NHS and PHLC have developed innovative affordable lending programs that combine first mortgages, down payment assistance, HUD-certified counseling, and strategic public-private partnerships to expand sustainable Home Ownership opportunities throughout the Commonwealth.

A graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking (Wharton School of Business), the Achieving Excellence (Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education Program), and The Pennsylvania State University, Mr. Gieringer is widely recognized for developing innovative community development finance strategies that leverage private capital, Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) partnerships, and employer-assisted housing initiatives to address housing affordability. His work focuses on building scalable financial ecosystems that strengthen families, support employers, and create lasting community impact through sustainable Home Ownership.

Christian Greaser, Senior Manager of Lending, NeighborWorks America

Christian Greaser is the Senior Manager of Lending at NeighborWorks America, where he provides support to network member CDFIs. In this role, Christian brings a passion for building community and fostering peer learning among NeighborWorks lending organizations, as well as for finding creative ways to provide financing solutions to underserved communities. Prior to joining NeighborWorks, he worked in CDFI lending roles at two community development organizations, where he oversaw the deployment of over $10 million in forgivable down payment assistance loans that helped create more than 600 first-time homeowners.

Sara Haas, Vice President of Lending, Capital, and Compliance, Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership (ANDP)

Sara Haas serves as Vice President of Lending, Capital, and Compliance at Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership (ANDP), where she leads the ANDP Loan Fund, a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that finances affordable housing projects across Georgia. In this role, she also directs the organization’s efforts to raise and manage private capital and public funding in support of ANDP’s single-family development initiatives and loan fund activities, while overseeing organizational compliance.

Sara brings more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Prior to joining ANDP, she spent nearly a decade at Enterprise Community Partners, where she developed and led affordable housing preservation and resilience initiatives at both the national level and across the Southeast. Earlier in her career, she managed AmeriCorps programs for national nonprofit organizations, including Habitat for Humanity International and Points of Light.

Sara holds a Master of City and Regional Planning from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. She currently serves on the Board of the Atlanta Women’s Affordable Housing Network.

Lyndsey Heathman, Managing Consultant of Compliance, FUND Consulting

Lyndsey Heathman is the Managing Consultant of Compliance at FUND Consulting and a compliance and risk management leader with more than 15 years of experience in federal regulatory reporting, quality assurance, risk mitigation, and community development finance. She oversees CDFI compliance for a national portfolio of clients, advising on regulatory reporting, governance, risk management, and operational excellence.

Prior to joining FUND Consulting in 2024, Lyndsey held roles in lending compliance, loan auditing, and federal reporting. She holds a Master of Jurisprudence in Compliance and Risk Management from Drake University Law School and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Western Governors University. Lyndsey is passionate about helping mission-driven organizations strengthen compliance programs, streamline operations, and maximize community impact.

Beth Hyser, Chief Program Officer, NeighborWorks Home Partners

Beth brings more than 20 years in leadership roles in community development and fundraising in neighborhood, regional, and national focused organizations including NeighborWorks Home Partners based in St. Paul Minnesota. In her current role as Chief Program Officer, Beth enthusiastically supports our customer’s homeownership journey by overseeing results-oriented programs in homeownership advising, lending and real estate development. She is an influential team leader and complex problem-solver focused on transformative change at a strategic level. Home Partners has participated in the NWA Sustainable Business Initiative since 2013, with Beth as the SBI lead since 2016.

Beth has a BA in Communications from the University of St. Thomas, completed Achieving Excellence in 2024, a Project Development Certificate, a Housing Counseling certificate, and completion of the Neighborhood Leadership Program (Amherst H. Wilder Foundation in MN).

Jesse Ibarra, Chief Business Officer, Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services (NPHS)

Jesse Ibarra serves as the Chief Business Officer at Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services (NPHS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing affordable housing and advancing equitable community solutions across Southern California. NPHS partners with local governments, lenders, and community-based organizations to create sustainable rental and homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income families. In his role, Ibarra leads business development, strategic partnerships, and organizational growth initiatives, while also overseeing Real Estate and Redevelopment operations, including manufactured housing dealership HomesbyNPHS, new construction, and acquisition/rehabilitation/resale activities. He further oversees CDFI lending, HUD counseling department, and owner-occupied rehabilitation programs, aligning capital deployment with mission-driven impact.

Ibarra also serves as NPHS’s designated broker for both real estate and lending, providing regulatory oversight and fiduciary leadership across the organization’s housing and financial activities. Based in Southern California, where NPHS is headquartered, he works closely with public, private, and philanthropic stakeholders to expand affordable housing access, support neighborhood revitalization, and strengthen economic opportunity throughout the Inland Empire and surrounding regions.

Ornella Kelly, Managing Consultant, FUND Consulting

Ornella is a Managing Consultant at FUND Consulting, where she has led targeted webinars on capacity building, FA Award readiness, and CDFI certification for sector stakeholders, including the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs and NeighborWorks. Her work has guided emerging and existing CDFIs through the accountability structures, governance requirements, and compliance standards embedded in the certification process, pairing strategic context with practical, step-by-step guidance. With a background in research and community development spanning grant writing and project implementation across Caribbean communities, Ornella brings a sector-wide lens to the systems and structures that keep CDFIs accountable and lending-ready. She holds a B.S. in International Relations from the University of the West Indies and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Julie Lane, Director of Lending, Neighborhood Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC)

Julie Lane is the Director of Lending at Neighborhood Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC), a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) focused on expanding economic opportunity, financial inclusion, and community empowerment. NHFC is a subsidiary of its parent organization, NeighborWorks Housing Solutions (NHS). With thirty years of experience in the financial industry, including four years at NHFC, she leads a dedicated team committed to creating meaningful impact in underserved communities through innovative lending solutions and strong community partnerships.
Under her leadership, NHFC has expanded access to capital, financial education, and lending services for individuals and small businesses across Norfolk, Bristol, and Plymouth Counties in Massachusetts, with a focus on supporting low- to moderate-income families and entrepreneurs.

Prior to joining NHS, Julie spent 25 years at a local community bank, advancing from teller to Vice President while building experience and knowledge in financial literacy, consumer and residential lending, business finance, and team leadership.

Today, she works closely with her dynamic and mission-driven team and community partners to strengthen lending programs, expand technical assistance, and foster collaborative solutions that promote long-term economic growth and equitable access to financial resources within the communities they serve.

Jessie C. Lee, Managing Director, Renaissance Economic Development Corporation

Jessie C. Lee is the Managing Director at Renaissance Economic Development Corporation with more than 20 years of experience in community development finance and economic development. Jessie serves as the Managing Director at Renaissance, a 29-year-old CDFI and SBA Microlender. She oversees lending operations, technical assistance programs, community relations, and strategic partnerships that expand access to capital and strengthen long-term community impact.

Prior to Renaissance, Jessie was Director of Small Business Lending East at VEDC, where she helped launch the $20 million Tri-State Business Opportunity Fund and managed lending initiatives across multiple markets. She also held leadership roles at Next Street Financial and CAMBA, supporting small business financing and economic development initiatives. Jessie earned her MBA in Finance from
Boston University. Jessie began her career in commercial underwriting. In her free time, she loves hiking and snowboarding.

Caryn Legar, Lending Manager, NeighborGood Loan Fund

Caryn joined NeighborGood Loan Fund in May 2024. As a Loan Servicer, her responsibilities include managing borrower relationships with the Loan Fund clients, loan compliance, processing, closings, and management of NeighborGood loan participation relationships. She prepares technical documents and actively services a portfolio of 53 loans totaling $24 million dollars.
As of November 2024, Caryn transitioned to the Lending Manager position where duties will include: Reviewing loan request packages, preparation for Loan committee meetings, joint calling efforts, business development, underwriting loans, reporting, compliance, along with various other duties.
Prior to her work here, Caryn served in many capacities in the commercial lending arena, such as lending clerk, commercial processor, credit analyst/underwriter, senior analyst/team lead, portfolio manager and loan officer for several regional and national banks such as Cape Savings Bank, Ocean City Home Bank, Midlantic/PNC Bank, Valley, National Bank, Centennial Bank, and WSFS Bank. Her tenure in commercial lending dates back to 1995.
Caryn holds a BA in Business and Technology and a master's degree in public administration/ Non-Profit Management from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Caryn also completed postgraduate studies in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Carlanda McKinney, Associate Executive Director, Build WyCo

Carlanda McKinney is a Kansas City, Kansas native with a background in healthcare technology, entrepreneurship, and mission-driven finance. As Director of Social Enterprise at Build WyCo, she focused on building new and scaling existing revenue-generating business lines aligned with Build WyCo's mission. That work contributed to Build WyCo receiving CDFI certification and significant new funding. Carlanda now serves as Associate Executive Director, overseeing Build WyCo's Lending, Asset
Management, Property Management and Community Building and Engagement departments; leading efforts to expand housing and economic opportunity across Wyandotte County.

Laura Meadows, Strategic Lending Executive, Fahe

Strategic lending executive with more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience in mortgage banking, community lending, capital markets, and regulatory compliance. Proven track record of driving transformational portfolio growth, developing innovative lending products, and navigating complex federal and state regulatory environments. Trusted advisor to executive leadership and boards of directors, recognized for aligning lending strategy with organizational objectives while expanding sustainable access to affordable housing and community investment opportunities. Successfully led the growth of lending operations from $3 million in annual production in 2007 to $143 million in 2025 through strategic market expansion, operational leadership, and product innovation.

Steven Meyer, Chief Executive Officer, Intend Indiana

Steven Meyer serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Intend Indiana, a non-profit that connects people to opportunity and advances collaborative community development. Steven oversees the strategic growth of the organization, including its two CDFIs, affordable housing development, and land banking initiative. During his tenure, Steven has overseen the formation of two CDFIs, a merger of two vertically integrated non-profit organizations, affiliation as a chartered member of NeighborWorks America, certification as a Housing Counseling Agency, and expansion of services across the state. Steven is an active leader in community development, serving on the Boards of local, statewide, and national non-profit organizations. Steven is a graduate of the IU McKinney School of Law and a licensed attorney.

Stephanie Murphy, Executive Director, Neighborhood Finance Corporation (NFC)

Stephanie Murphy is the Executive Director of Neighborhood Finance Corporation (NFC). She has held this position since April 2014. NFC is a 36-year-old non-profit mortgage lending organization with offices in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. NFC provides unique lending programs to facilitate targeted neighborhood revitalization through partnerships with residents, governments, community-based organization and the business community. NFC Properties, a subsidiary, builds and renovates homes in the NFC lending areas.

Stephanie has 35 years of housing and mortgage experience and has been a leader in affordable housing policy and community collaboration initiatives. Her experience spans both the corporate and non-profit world.
As Executive Director for the statewide non-profit group, the Iowa Home Ownership Education Project (IHOEP), Stephanie collaborated with the Iowa Mortgage Help foreclosure prevention initiative, which coordinated $2.5 million in funding among 9 agencies across Iowa. Stephanie has prior experience with NFC, having joined the organization in 1991, serving as their Vice President, Mortgage Loan Manager until her departure in 1996.
Stephanie is the President of the National NeighborWorks America Board of Directors and has experience serving on local housing and community development Boards and Committees, as well as on her church's lay leadership team.

Julia Nelmark, President & CEO (MMCDC) / CEO (WEII), Midwest Minnesota Community Development Corporation

Julia Nelmark leads Midwest Minnesota Community Development Corporation (MMCDC), a CDFI - mission-based lender and developer based in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, as well as the White Earth Investment Initiative (WEII), a Native CDFI subsidiary serving Native Americans on the White Earth Reservation and throughout Minnesota. MMCDC provides commercial, NMTC, and mortgage lending, housing development and management, and, through WEII, lending and development services (free tax preparation, homebuyer education, and financial counseling) focused on Native Americans in Minnesota. Prior to becoming president in 2018, Ms. Nelmark led MMCDC’s New Markets Tax Credit Financing for 15 years.

Originally from Illinois, Ms. Nelmark received an Accounting degree from Benedictine University, attained her CPA certification, and went on to receive a Master's of Management degree from Kellogg Graduate School of Business at Northwestern University. Prior to MMCDC, Ms. Nelmark spent several years in the accounting and finance areas for Amoco Corporation and its operating sectors. Ms. Nelmark managed financial planning departments for two other for-profit manufacturing companies before moving into the non-profit sector in 2003.

Ms. Nelmark serves on the boards for the Citizen Potawatomi CDC, the New Markets Tax Credit Coalition Board and Executive Committee (serving as President in 2026), Minnesota Housing Partnership (MHP) and Minnesota’s Climate Innovation Finance Authority (Credit Committee chair). She previously served on the board of the Opportunity Finance Network, including time as the Treasurer and Audit Committee Chair. She is actively involved in her community, including various volunteer work at her church and serving as a Board Director and Treasurer of the Boys & Girls Club of Detroit Lakes-Perham.

Debbie Partin, Senior Vice President of Lending, REI Oklahoma

Debbie Partin is a finance and economic development professional with more than 30 years of experience helping businesses and communities access capital, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth. She serves as Senior Vice President of Lending for REI Oklahoma. She has extensive expertise in commercial lending, New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC), SBA lending, credit underwriting, complex financial structuring, and regulatory compliance.
During her tenure, Debbie has successfully structured and underwritten complex financing transactions, cultivated partnerships with financial institutions and private sector investors, and delivered educational workshops and outreach programs that support economic development across Oklahoma and beyond. She has a deep understanding of federal financing programs, including SBA 504, EDA, USDA, and the SBA Microloan program.
 

Debbie is a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) and has also completed extensive advanced training in SBA lending, loan servicing, liquidations, CDC oversight, and economic development finance. Her professional expertise is complemented by a strong commitment to leadership and service.

She has held numerous leadership positions with the National Association of Development Companies (NADCO), including Vice Chair of the Board, Secretary, Region 6 Director, and Chair of several committees, including the Legislative Committee. Deborah also served as President and Past President of the Oklahoma Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (OKAGGL) and was a founding board member of the organization.

Erin Perski, Executive Director, Home HeadQuarters

Erin Perski serves as the Executive Director of Home HeadQuarters, where she leads the organization's mission to strengthen communities through affordable housing, homeownership opportunities, and neighborhood revitalization. Since joining Home HeadQuarters more than four years ago, Erin has held several key leadership positions, including Chief Lending Officer and Assistant Director, gaining extensive experience across the organization's lending, operational, and strategic functions.

Throughout her tenure, Erin has been instrumental in advancing programs that expand access to housing and financial resources for individuals and families across New York State. Her leadership is grounded in a commitment to community development, collaborative partnerships, and innovative solutions that create lasting impact.

Kareema Pinder, Chief Programs Officer, NHS of Baltimore

Kareema Pinder serves as Chief Programs Officer at NHS of Baltimore, where she leads initiatives that advance financial empowerment, housing stability, and economic opportunity for individuals and families throughout the region. A dedicated advocate for social and economic justice, she brings strategic leadership and a deep commitment to creating equitable pathways for underserved communities.
Kareema is a graduate of the Achieving Excellence Program through NeighborWorks and Harvard Kennedy School. She holds a Bachelor of Business Management from Clemson University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Baltimore.

Throughout her career, Kareema has focused on breaking down barriers to opportunity and expanding access to resources that help individuals build long-term financial security. One of her most notable accomplishments is the development of NHS of Baltimore’s financial coaching program. Since its launch in 2014, the program has helped more than 100 participants strengthen their financial well-being, achieve personal goals, and create lasting economic stability.

Beyond her work at NHS of Baltimore, Kareema is an active community leader. She serves on the Board of Total Health Care, where she co-chairs the Governance Committee, and contributes her expertise as a member of both the Equal Opportunity Committee and the Baltimore City Workforce Development Board.

Recognized for her leadership, dedication, and impact, Kareema is a respected voice in community development and nonprofit management. Her work continues to drive meaningful changes by empowering individuals, strengthening neighborhoods, and advancing economic mobility throughout Baltimore.

Stephanie Quick, President, Intend Indiana

Stephanie Quick is President of Intend Indiana, where she leads statewide efforts to expand affordable housing, increase access to capital, and strengthen communities through innovative financing, real estate development, and strategic partnerships. Since becoming President in 2022, she has guided the organization's integrated initiatives in affordable housing, Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) lending that supports affordable housing and small business growth, land banking, and collaborative community impact, helping position Intend as a statewide leader in advancing economic opportunity.

Stephanie joined Intend in 2019 as Director of Real Estate Development and later served as Chief Operating Officer before being named President. Prior to Intend, she held leadership positions with Insight Development Corporation and the City of Indianapolis, overseeing affordable housing, real estate development, and economic development initiatives.

A licensed Real Estate Broker and National Diversity Council Certified Diversity Professional (NDCCDP), Stephanie serves on several nonprofit and civic boards and holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs from Indiana University.

Darryl Smith, Executive Director, HomeSight Community Development CDFI

Executive Director of HomeSight Community Development CDFI and a Core Team member of the Black Home Initiative Network, Darryl Smith has provided leadership within the network by developing the Field Order 15 pre-development Fund. The FO15 program has helped to jumpstart the construction of new for-sale housing units built by BIPOC developers in the Puget Sound Region. HomeSight has also been a driver in outreach to potential Black home buyers (Demand side) to reach the shared priority of 1500 new Black LMI homeowners by 2028.

Prior to his work leading HomeSight, Darryl built a long history of experience in the arenas of real estate brokerage, neighborhood revitalization, municipal government, workforce development for young adults, and place-based community development. He has held a variety of civic roles including the presidency of the Rainier Valley Chamber of Commerce as well as membership on the board of the Seattle Planning Commission. In 2009, Darryl was appointed Deputy Mayor of Seattle, where he served for four years, overseeing the departments of Neighborhoods, Civil Rights, Housing, Human Services, and Economic Development for Mayor Mike McGinn. Darryl was a Realtor with Windermere Mt. Baker for nearly 15 years and was an early evangelist for transit-oriented development, having served as listing broker for the New Holly and Rainier Vista communities.
 

As an active participant in the lifeblood of Rainier Valley, Seattle’s most diverse community, for over 25 years, Darryl spearheaded positive change as chair of the Columbia City Revitalization committee in the early ‘90’s and is the originator of the community’s celebrated monthly music event Beat Walk, now entering its 26th season.

Raquel Valdez Sanchez, Long-tenured Leader, Business & Community Lenders of Texas

Raquel Valdez Sanchez has a passion for building strong communities by promoting balanced economic opportunities for homeowners, small business owners, and consumers through her 19 years of professional and personal work with statewide nonprofit economic development organization Business & Community Lenders of Texas.

Throughout her career, with a state Raquel has worked directly with over 3500 Texas based business owners and residents. The economic impact of this effort resulted in $50 million in affordable loan capital deployed, with over 700 new jobs created. In 2014, Raquel collaborated with partners across the state to launch a small dollar loan program, the Community Loan Center of Austin and the Community Loan Center of Dallas. The program immediately met with popularity, signing up several major anchor employers, and to date has provided over 41,500 loans resulting in over $40.65 million in affordable short-term lending and a $25 million dollar savings in high interest rate fees. The program’s model has since been duplicated in other states with CDFI and nonprofit organizations dedicated to ending cycles of debt.

Ms. Valdez Sanchez holds a BBA from the University of Texas at San Antonio, graduate of the Opportunity Finance Network, Opportunity Fellowship; Las Comadres Texas Public Policy and Civic Engagement Program; Leadership Women Texas; and is currently a NALCAB LEAD fellow. Rooted in community, Raquel serves on numerous committees and boards of directors and is on the City of Austin Prosperity Economic Commission.

Nancy Wagner-Hislip, Chief of Consulting, NeighborWorks Capital

Nancy Wagner-Hislip is the Chief of Consulting at NeighborWorks Capital, where she provides advisory services to NeighborWorks organizations and other mission-driven community development organizations. Her areas of focus include CDFI consulting, organizational assessment, business planning, and portfolio analysis. Nancy brings more than 30 years of community development experience to this role and is a recognized expert in community development finance with deep knowledge of major federal financing and subsidy programs, tax-incentivized financing instruments, and complex capital structures. She also has a deep connection to affordable housing, having served on several national and local boards of organizations dedicated to providing affordable housing.

Nancy joined NeighborWorks Capital in 2023. Prior to that, she was the Chief Investment Officer at Reinvestment Fund, where she managed a $700 million loan and investment portfolio and drove annual originations in excess of $200 million. She was responsible for all aspects of the lending business, including business planning, new business development, loan origination, asset management, lending enterprise risk management, and capitalization.

Chuck Wall, Chief Financial Officer, Renaissance Community Loan Fund

Chuck Wall joined Renaissance Community Loan Fund as Controller in October 2012. He was promoted to his current position as Chief Financial Officer in 2014. He manages the Finance Department and is responsible for accurate and timely financial reporting to management and our Board of Directors. Wall manages the Loan Servicing Department and brings over 40 years of finance experience to RCLF, including financial reporting, operating and capital budgets, investment management, mergers and acquisitions, and internal audits. Wall received his B.S. in Accountancy from Eastern Illinois University and his M.B.A. in Finance from DePaul University. He is licensed as a CPA in Illinois and Mississippi.

Dee Williams, Department Director, MaineStream Finance (Penquis)

Dee Williams joined Penquis in August 2021, bringing over 20 years of leadership experience in lending and financial services to MaineStream Finance. As Department Director, Dee provides strategic direction and fosters a mission-driven culture focused on expanding access to responsible, client-centered financing solutions.
Dee is recognized for her innovative and solutions-oriented approach, particularly in navigating complex financial situations where traditional lending options may not be viable. She leads with empathy and insight, understanding the real-life challenges that can affect a client’s financial stability and access to capital. Her ability to balance sound financial practices with compassionate service strengthens both client outcomes and organizational impact.

Deeply committed to the mission of MaineStream Finance, Dee is passionate about driving meaningful change and improving financial opportunity for underserved communities. With strong roots in rural Downeast Maine, she is dedicated to broadening the reach of homeownership and small business lending programs, ensuring more individuals and communities have access to the resources they need to thrive.