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.
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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.
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.
Krystal Langholz
Leveraging SSBCI for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
Tuesday May 7 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Director, Strategy
Calvert Impact Capital
Krystal Langholz is a Director of Strategy for Calvert Impact, supporting new product and program development. She assists the design and launch of new products that are built in response to market gaps. Krystal oversees the implementation of new programs and ensures that the lessons learned from these programs are disseminated with partners. She also supports syndicated transactions and provides general thought leadership to inform future strategy.
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
Enhancing SSBCI Impacts in Indian Country
Tuesday July 2 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Filling the Gaps with the Suite of SSBCI Technical Assistance Programs
Tuesday August 27 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Maximizing SSBCI's Impact in Rural America
Tuesday October 29 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Senior Director, Government & External Affairs
Council of Development Finance Agencies
Mitchell Smith is the Senior Director of Government and External Affairs at the Council of Development Finance Agencies. 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.
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. His specialization is in American diplomatic history, politics, and culture.
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.
Tyler Matthew Vogel
Leveraging SSBCI for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund
Tuesday May 7 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Policy & Advocacy 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.