Michele Abraham
Filling the Gaps with the Suite of SSBCI Technical Assistance Programs
Tuesday, September 3, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
State Director
South Carolina Small Business Development Centers
Michele Abraham has served as the State Director for the South Carolina Small Business Development Centers (SC SBDC) since 2010, where she manages a statewide network of expert advisors and professional staff who provide business consulting and training to South Carolina’s entrepreneurs and small businesses. During her tenure, Michele has led the organization to break records on economic impact performance and earn three national accreditations with exemplary ratings. She also served on the national America’s SBDC Board of Directors for six years, including two years as the Chair. In addition,she serves on several national committees and led negotiation of a national vendor contract giving all 63 networks access to a critical tool they otherwise could not afford.
From 2006 – 2009, Michele worked for the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) serving as the State Director of the Ohio SBDC, one of the five largest SBDCs in the nation. During her tenure there, the Ohio SBDC was recognized nationally by the U.S. Small Business Administration as one of the top programs in the country and honored with a visit from the national Advisory Board.
Michele also served the Ohio ODOD as Chief of Strategic Management, where she developed and implemented an agency-wide strategic management process to ensure accountability to the agency and its stakeholders. Prior to her time at ODOD, Michele worked in the private sector, progressing through positions in sales management, business development, product management, marketing and senior management. She has over 20 years of experience in advanced materials and products for aerospace/aircraft, as well as automotive, sporting goods and other industrial market segments. Her successes include building a mature, stagnant business (Owens Corning) from $6 million to over $23 million in annual sales; and guiding a start-up business for Atlantic Research to $11 million in five years through internal technology development and a series of strategic partnerships, joint ventures and acquisitions. Michele’s experience and entrepreneurial spirit also led her to founding and operating two successful businesses.
Samantha Asker
Promoting Success: Best Practices for Highlighting SSBCI Programs
Tuesday, March 12, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Outreach Manager
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Sam is a member of Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Outreach Team. As an Outreach Manager, Sam supports jurisdictions participating in the SSBCI to maximize the impact of the program. Previously, Sam served as Director of Small Business Policy for the Executive Office of Housing & Economic Development within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In this role, she worked with equitable opportunity stakeholders and small business associations, and used data from other jurisdictions to develop small business policy and program recommendations to the EOHED Secretary and Governor Baker, including leading the design of the Commonwealth’s SSBCI strategy. Prior to her state service, Sam was on the development team at Accion East/Ascendus (a NY-based CDFI); completed a Masters in Public Policy & Management at King’s College London; and served on the investor relations team at Boston Community Capital/BlueHub Capital (a Boston-based CDFI).
Monika Athwal
Promoting Success: Best Practices for Highlighting SSBCI Programs
Tuesday, March 12, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Manager of Innovation Programs
New Jersey Economic Development Authority
Monika Athwal joined the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) in 2014 as a Business Development Officer, following nearly 20 years in banking. In her role, Monika consults with business owners to identify EDA programs that meet their needs and guides them through the process of securing financing through the EDA and/or its banking partners. For ten years prior to joining the EDA, Monika held several positions in the banking sector throughout Northern New Jersey.
Monika began her career with the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) as a Relationship Manager in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where she worked in several positions in RBC’s retail and corporate banking areas. She has successfully managed investment and credit portfolios for large businesses.
Monika holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Marketing and Management from St Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. She resides with her family in Jersey City, New Jersey.
Angela Blatt
Enhancing SSBCI Impacts in Indian Country
Tuesday, July 2, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Director
Council of Development Finance Agencies
As a Director in the Knowledge & Networks Division at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA), Angela focuses on the W.K. Kellogg Foundation-funded initiative “Defining the Food System Asset Class,” whereby CDFA explores opportunities for the advancement of local and regional food systems using development finance tools. Through this initiative, Angela collaborates with communities across the country providing technical assistance and producing strategic plans for development finance strategies that meet infrastructure, agriculture, and small business needs to support equitable, local food economies. Angela leads CDFA’s Food Systems Finance Advisory Council, joining the food and finance industries, and administers CDFA’s Food Systems Finance Webinar Series, connecting food-related businesses and projects with development finance agencies. In 2021, she gained Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) certification through the CDFA Training Institute.
A Navy Veteran, Angela holds two degrees from The Ohio State University: a Master of Public Administration with a focus on Food Policy from the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, and a Bachelor of Science from the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
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Anne Bovaird Nevins
Leveraging SSBCI for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
Tuesday, May 7, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Director
Accelerator for America
Before joining the Accelerator, Anne had been with PIDC, Philadelphia’s official economic development corporation for nearly 16 years, serving as President since January 2020 and leading PIDC through the pandemic. As President, Anne was responsible for the organization’s efforts to develop and implement strategies to drive economic growth to every corner of Philadelphia.
Prior to her appointment as President, Anne served as PIDC’s Chief Strategy and Communications Officer. Prior to this role, Nevins served as PIDC’s Senior Vice President for Marketing and Business Development for six years. Anne has served as co-chair of the Racism and Economic Development Committee of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), co-managed Philadelphia’s Amazon HQ2 bid, and created PIDC and Urban Land Institute (ULI) Philadelphia’s partnership on the future of work and its impact on industrial and commercial land.
From 1999 to 2001, Anne served in the White House Office of Cabinet Affairs. which is responsible for coordination between the President and all cabinet agencies. She then joined the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and managed the logistical and hospitality arrangements for all U.S. dignitaries attending the Olympics. Anne then managed corporate sponsorships for the Kimmel Center, the regional performing arts center in Philadelphia. She next served as Director of Development for Historic Philadelphia,Inc. and raised substantial funds to renovate Franklin Square, an 8-acre urban park in the center of Philadelphia’s historic district. Anne has a Masters in Business Administration from the Wharton School and a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania.
Marta Cabral
Promoting Success: Best Practices for Highlighting SSBCI Programs
Tuesday, March 12, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Senior Project Officer
New Jersey Economic Development Authority
Marta Cabral is a Senior Project Officer – Clean Energy at the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), where she develops and leads clean energy initiatives. In this role, she oversees a $80 million SSBCI-funded loan participation program to support clean energy projects and businesses (the “New Jersey Clean Energy Loans” program). She previously served as the Chief of Policy and Special Projects Advisor to the Leader of the Green Party of Canada. Prior to her climate and clean energy work, she served as a Research Manager at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Medicine, where she co-authored several peer-reviewed articles in the field of public health. A Portuguese and Canadian dual citizen, Marta holds a Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs.
Howard Dent
Filling the Gaps with the Suite of SSBCI Technical Assistance Programs
Tuesday, September 3, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Specialty Programs Manager
SBDC Office of Minority Business Development
Howard Dent’s work with the UGA SBDC is buoyed by his belief that real success is the success you share. His mission is to use his 25-plus years of experience in banking and finance to help aspiring entrepreneurs start and grow their business and help existing owners take their business to the next level.
Prior to working at the UGA SBDC, Howard held positions at various financial institutions, including Credit Suisse, WF Commercial Capital and Wells Fargo Bank, where he and his team were responsible for raising over $3 billion in capital. Howard was founding Principal and President of a mortgage finance company where he oversaw the accounting, finance, marketing and human resources functions. Prior to that, he started a specialty-finance focused business consultancy.
Lori DeWine
Filling the Gaps with the Suite of SSBCI Technical Assistance Programs
Tuesday, September 3, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Maximizing SSBCI's Impact in Rural America
Tuesday, October 29, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Managing Director
Council of Development Finance Agencies
Lori DeWine is Managing Director of the Knowledge & Networks Division at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) where she oversees the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI), Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, and Revolving Loan Fund programs. With over 20 years of experience in education, affordable housing, and finance, Lori brings a wealth of expertise to her role.
Before joining CDFA, Lori served as Vice President at a nationwide mortgage company and as Chief Operating Officer of a local credit union. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Education and Adult Learning. In addition to her professional responsibilities, Lori enjoys teaching as an adjunct faculty member at Sinclair Community College.
Bryan Fike
Leveraging SSBCI for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
Tuesday, May 7, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Research Officer
Drexel University
Bryan is a Research Officer at the Nowak Metro Finance Lab, where he focuses on financing for small businesses and inclusive economic growth. He joins the Lab with a background in economic development, public administration, and small business support. Bryan joined the lab from New Growth Innovation Network (NGIN), a practitioner network focused on inclusive economic development. Previously, he worked in public administration, supporting a range of federal workforce and safety net programs at the U.S. Department of Labor. He also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Namibia, where he trained and advised youth entrepreneurs, supported a government-funded microcredit program, and implemented school-based programming in entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Bryan earned an MBA from the Yale School of Management and a BA in economics from Wittenberg University.
Bert Hunter
Leveraging SSBCI for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
Tuesday, May 7, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Executive Vice President & Chief Investment Officer
Connecticut Green Bank
Bert Hunter leads the CT Green Bank Finance team that develops new and innovative financing programs together with other Green Bank staff. Since its establishment, the Green Bank team has deployed more than $1 billion in public and private investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy – notably solar PV. Before joining the Green Bank, Hunter was VP Finance/CFO of Spectrum Capital, an investment bank focused on global commercial aircraft finance and investment in US electric power generation. Prior to Spectrum, he was VP/Treasurer of the international leasing company of Chemical Bank (now JP Morgan Chase). Mr. Hunter is chair of the board of the newly established Montgomery County (MD) Green Bank, board member and treasurer of the Housing Development Fund (CT), and a board member of PACENation. He holds an MBA from The Wharton School.
Mary Kelly
Filling the Gaps with the Suite of SSBCI Technical Assistance Programs
Tuesday, September 3, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Project Manager
Iowa Economic Development Authority
Armeer Kenchen
Maximizing SSBCI's Impact in Rural America
Tuesday, October 29, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Executive Director
North Carolina Rural Center
Armeer Kenchen is the Executive Vice President of Small Business Capital at the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center. In this role, he serves as Executive Director of Director of North Carolina’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI, which is a suite of capital support programs that total more than $200 million dollars. Programs under management include the Loan Participation Program, Capital Access Program, and a Venture Capital Program. He is also Executive Director of CornerSquare Community Capital, an affiliate of the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center. CornerSquare is a $50 million loan fund designed to strengthen the lending infrastructure of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) by providing more equitable access to commercial capital.
Prior to joining the Rural Center, he was a member of Self-Help’s executive team where he was responsible for developing strategic partnerships and leading implementation of strategic priorities that drove growth and expansion. He has significant experience working with CDFIs, having previously served as Executive Vice President at Self-Help and Chief Executive Officer of Generations Community Credit Union.
Krystal Langholz
Leveraging SSBCI for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
Tuesday, May 7, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Chief Community Officer
Calvert Impact Capital
Krystal is the Chief Community Officer of Climate United, leading the team dedicated to community and stakeholder engagement, capacity building and predevelopment programs, and impact measurement and management.
Krystal has dedicated her career to bringing inclusive economic growth to low-income, rural, and Native communities. Krystal served as a Director of Strategy for Calvert Impact, where she helped develop new products and developed thought leadership content for the organization. In addition to designing and informing the Community Engagement and Accountability strategy for Climate United, Krystal led the creation of the technical services program for the Mission Driven Bank Fund and assisted in the development of the Fund’s Impact Measurement and Management.
Prior to Calvert Impact, Krystal served as the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Strategy and Capitalization of the Oweesta Corporation, a national Native CDFI intermediary. Before her time at Oweesta, Krystal served as the founding Executive Director of Hunkpati Investments, a certified Native CDFI on the Crow Creek Indian Reservation in South Dakota. (Colorado State, M.A., Luther College, B.A.). She lives in Fort Collins, Colorado with her husband and two children.
Casey Pearlman
Enhancing SSBCI Impacts in Indian Country
Tuesday, July 2, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Executive Director
Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Economic Development Corporation
Casey Pearlman, Inupiaq and mixed settler descent, is the Executive Director of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Economic Development Corporation (ATNI-EDC). She is an alum of the Rematriating Economies Apprenticeship, the Treasurer of the board for Underscore News, a board member-at-large for the Center for Inclusive Entrepreneurship and the program director for the Northwest Native Lending Network. She graduated from Portland State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Business Management and Human Resource Management. She identifies as an ‘entrepreneur enthusiast’ and is thrilled to serve Native businesses and support their growth. Her experiences of working with diverse founders and funders in emerging industries inspires her to build new paths of economic development in Indian Country. ATNI-EDC is administering the State Small Business Credit Initiative on behalf of the largest voluntary consortium of Tribes to ever participate in the program.
Suzanne Perreault
Filling the Gaps with the Suite of SSBCI Technical Assistance Programs
Tuesday, September 3, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Director, Small Business Services
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Suzanne Perreault, EDFP has a diverse work experience in various roles and companies. Suzanne started their career at the Village of Holly Downtown Development Authority in 2007 as an Executive Director, a role they held until 2009. Suzanne then moved on to the Lake Orion Downtown Development Authority, where they served as the Executive Director from 2010 to 2016. In 2016, Suzanne joined Mercantile Events and Marketing as the Vice President and worked there until 2018. Suzanne then transitioned to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, where they held multiple roles including Small Business Specialist from 2018 to 2019, Small Business Program Manager from 2019 to 2022, and Interim Director and later Director of Small Business Services from 2022 to the present. Suzanne Perreault's experience spans both public and private sectors, with a focus on small business development and downtown development authorities.
Kaelan Richards
Promoting Success: Best Practices for Highlighting SSBCI Programs
Tuesday, March 12, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Communications Consultant
U.S. Department of the Treasury
Kaelan Richards is a strategic communications expert, bringing together a foundation in policy and expertise in strategic communications and focusing on integrated strategies and execution across disciplines. With more than 15 years of experience operating at the highest levels of government and working with some of the world's most influential business leaders, from the Obama White House to Fortune 50 companies to startups, Kaelan knows what it takes to build, scale, innovate, and achieve results. She focuses on helping people, organizations and brands who care about the work they are doing and to focus on the issues that matter-- building brands, telling compelling stories, and driving change.
Mitchell Smith
Promoting Success: Best Practices for Highlighting SSBCI Programs
Tuesday, March 12, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Leveraging SSBCI for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
Tuesday, May 7, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Government Affairs Program Manager
Sunnova Energy Corporation
Mitchell Smith is the Senior Director of Government and External Affairs at the Council of Development Finance Agencies. In this role, he manages CDFA’s federal legislative advocacy efforts and facilitates education on federal finance opportunities, tax-exempt bonds, and the State Small Business Credit Initiative.
Previously, Mitchell worked for the Ohio Legislative Service Commission on the education research team and served as the committee staffer for the House of Representatives Primary and Secondary Education Committee. There, Mitchell drafted legislation and completed legal research on behalf of the Ohio General Assembly. He also taught American History at Ohio University from 2013-2017.
A native of Bentonville, Arkansas, Mitchell attended the University of Arkansas – Fayetteville, where he received his B.A. in American Studies and Political Science in 2009 and was a punter for the Razorbacks. He went on to complete his M.A. in American History and then relocated to Ohio University to complete a Ph.D. in American History.
Sue Taylor
Enhancing SSBCI Impacts in Indian Country
Tuesday, July 2, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Development Director
Native American Development Corporation
Tammi Thomas
Promoting Success: Best Practices for Highlighting SSBCI Programs
Tuesday, March 12, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Chief Development & Marketing Officer
TEDCO
As TEDCO’s Chief Development & Marketing Officer, Tammi is primarily responsible for the overall strategic direction, leadership, execution and management of TEDCO’s marketing and fundraising strategies designed to broaden awareness of and resources for TEDCO and its various programs; this includes the development and implementation of the organization’s brand, marketing, and communications strategy.
Her leadership and knowledge are instrumental in forging relationships that will enable TEDCO to expand their reach and services, diversify resources and grow the innovation ecosystem as well as establishing TEDCO as the most recognized organization in Maryland for identifying, investing in, and growing technology-based businesses. Driven by this mission, she serves as TEDCO’s internal subject expert on media and public relations, social media, brand messaging, marketing, and special events.
Her resume includes C-suite positions as the Vice President of Strategic Management at Data Solutions & Technology Inc., a full-service technology solutions provider; and as the Director of Business Development and Marketing at the University of Maryland Baltimore County’s Research Park & Business Incubator. Additionally, Tammi’s professional expertise was sought after to teach the next generation of communicators as an adjunct professor at Bowie State University and the University of Baltimore. She frequently speaks and publishes on such topics as leadership, entrepreneurship, and business development.
Tammi has been recognized by her industry peers for excellence in communication and marketing. She has received the Maryland Economic Development Association’s Marketing award for TEDCO’s Entrepreneur Expo (2020), the Cybersecurity Association of Maryland’s 2017 Cybersecurity Industry Resource Award, the AMA Baltimore's MX Award for Best Print Advertisement Campaign of the Year (2022 and 2023), was named one of The Daily Record’s Top 100 Women in Maryland (2023), and most recently received a Distinguished Women Award from the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland (2024). She graduated from Leadership Maryland's Class of 2018, completing the eight-month hands-on learning program focused on the State's most vital social, economic and environmental issues.
She serves on the World Trade Center Institute's CEO Council, Maryland Energy Innovation Institute Investment Committee, the Maryland Momentum Fund Advisory Board and MEDA Board of Directors, where she is currently serving as Vice President.
Tammi earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Alabama State University and an MBA from the University of Baltimore.
Tyler Vogel
Leveraging SSBCI for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
Tuesday, May 7, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
National Policy Manager
Community Reinvestment Fund, Inc.
Tyler Vogel is the National Policy Manager at the Community Reinvestment Fund (CRF), a nationally recognized nonprofit CDFI dedicated to addressing social and economic inequity through innovative financial solutions. In addition to his policy work, he leads the organization’s climate justice initiatives. Vogel's contributions to sustainable development and social entrepreneurship have earned him international fellowships with the Resolution Project, Clinton Global Initiative, Climatebase, and the Global Arena Research Institute. He holds a Master of Sustainable Development Practice (MDP) from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota and a B.A. in Biology from Wartburg College.
Angela Ward
Filling the Gaps with the Suite of SSBCI Technical Assistance Programs
Tuesday, September 3, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Product Manager, Technical Assistance
NetWork Kansas
Angela Ward joined NetWork Kansas in November 2023, as the new Product Manager of E-Community Programs. Angela is a mother of three who grew up in the coastal town of Corpus Christi, Texas. Angela and her family moved to Wichita, KS in 2012 to follow her husband’s career in aviation. Though the ocean calls her to visit Texas at least twice a year, she thoroughly enjoys raising her family in such a friendly place like Wichita. Obtaining a degree in Education from Texas A&M Corpus Christi allowed Angela to teach at the Elementary and Middle school levels for over eight years, until she found her true calling in the nonprofit world. Angela was privileged to have an opportunity to work with some of the state’s youngest entrepreneurs through Girl Scouts. Through this work she had the opportunity to travel throughout Kansas, and meet the most amazing and giving people in the wonderful communities across the state. Angela is excited to be part of the team at NetWork Kansas, and assist in bringing solid partnership connections and programming to entrepreneurs big and small in every community across Kansas.
Shannon Ward
Enhancing SSBCI Impacts in Indian Country
Tuesday, July 2, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Senior Vice President, Chief Lending Officer
Native American Bank
Shannon Ward is the Chief Lending Officer and Senior Vice President at Native American Bank. Shannon has over 20 years of experience working in finance related fields, and has specialized in working with and lending to sovereign Indian tribes for the last 13 years. She has first-hand experience working with varied Tribal ownership structures, trust land, and the unique jurisdictional matters Tribal nations encounter when financing on-reservation projects. Prior to joining Native American Bank, Shannon held both a regional management role and the interim division chief position during her tenure with the division of Capital Investment at the U.S Department of Interior. In this capacity, Shannon was responsible for facilitating much-needed access to capital for Native American Tribes, Tribally owned enterprises, and to individual Indian-owned businesses, with the intent of promoting economic development on Native American reservations. Shannon is a graduate of the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Science degree in business management, and is a Northern Arapaho tribal member.