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About CDFA

The Council of Development Finance Agencies is a national association dedicated to the advancement of development finance concerns and interests. CDFA is comprised of the nation’s leading and most knowledgeable members of the development finance community representing hundreds of public, private and non-profit development entities. Members are state, county and municipal development finance agencies and authorities that provide or otherwise support economic development financing programs as well as a variety of non-governmental and private organizations including bankers, underwriters, attorneys, financial advisors and other organizations interested in development finance.

The Council was formed in 1982 with the mission to strengthen the efforts of state and local development finance agencies fostering job creation and economic growth through the use of tax-exempt and other public-private partnership finance programs. Today, CDFA has one of the strongest voices in the development finance industry and regularly communicates with Capitol Hill, state and local government leaders and the Federal Administration. The Council provides a number of avenues for assisting the development finance industry including education, advocacy, research, resources and networking. CDFA is ultimately the conduit linking development finance professionals together.

-Board of Directors

CDFA is governed by a 32-member Board of Directors. Policy is developed by the Board of Directors based on committee recommendations and concerns of the membership. Click on the (More) links to learn even more about CDFA’s distinguished leaders.

-Staff

CDFA is managed by a professional staff headquartered in Columbus, OH. The staff and various advisors carry out the day-to-day administration of the Council. To contact a member of the staff or an advisor, use the following information.

Council of Development Finance Agencies
100 E. Broad Street, Suite 1200
Columbus, OH 43215

Phone: 614-705-1300


Toby Rittner Toby Rittner
President & CEO
614-705-1299 |
Toby Rittner is the President & CEO of Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA), a national association dedicated to the advancement of development finance concerns and interests. CDFA is comprised of the nation’s leading and most knowledgeable members of the development finance community representing hundreds of... (More)
Ariel Miller Ariel Miller
Senior Director, Research & Technical Assistance
614-705-1319 |
Ariel Miller is the Senior Director of Research & Technical Assistance with the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). During her time at CDFA, she has conducted research and data collection, written numerous publications, and developed curriculum on topics including access to capital programs, equitable economic... (More)
Noelle Sheets Noelle Sheets
Senior Director, Development
614-705-1304 |
Noelle Sheets is the Senior Director of Development for the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). In this role, Ms. Sheets is responsible for leading CDFA’s Development Division which is primarily responsible for meeting logistics, sponsorship, membership and partnership efforts. Noelle's main objective is to do... (More)
Theresa Treadway Theresa Treadway
Senior Director, Operations
614-705-1312 |
Theresa Treadway is the Senior Director of Operations for the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). Theresa is responsible for managing the operational functions that support CDFA’s long-term financial health. In this role, she optimizes existing resources and creates cost effective, efficient and secure... (More)
Jerad Groves Jerad Groves
Senior Director, Programming
614-705-1207 |
As the Senior Director of Programming, Jerad Groves oversees the development, quality, and execution of CDFA’s programming, including education and professional development courses, online and in-person workshops and lectures, and a variety of networking events. As part of CDFA’s senior staff, Jerad contributes to the... (More)
Genna Auteri Genna Auteri
Director, Programming
614-705-1303 |
As the Director of Programming, Genna is responsible for overseeing all of the events, in-person and virtual, offered by CDFA and the day-to-day management of the Programming team. This includes virtual training courses, webinars, CDFA's Virtual Summer School, the Development Finance Certified Professional Program (DFCP),... (More)
Angela Blatt Angela Blatt
Director, Research & Technical Assistance
614-705-1306 |
As Director of Research & Technical Assistance with 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... (More)
Mitchell Smith Mitchell Smith
Director, Government & External Affairs
614-705-1308 |
Mitchell Smith is the 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... (More)
Meghan Wentz Meghan Wentz
Director, Operations
614-705-1301 |
Meghan Wentz is the Director of Operations at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). Mrs. Wentz responsible for working with fellow CDFA team members to deliver CDFA’s day-to-day organization administration and operational elements including vendor management and office administration. Her responsibilities... (More)
Fawn Zimmerman Fawn Zimmerman
Director, Research & Technical Assistance
614-705-1305 |
Fawn Zimmerman is a Director at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) working to create, develop, and execute programming which will help underserved communities gain more access to capital. She is responsible for working on the CDFA Minority Capital Loan Guarantee Program designed to bring more capital to... (More)
Rachel Reilly Rachel Reilly
Senior Advisor
202-975-9143 |
Rachel Reilly is the Founder of Aces & Archers, a strategic advisory and consulting firm focused on addressing socioeconomic inequality by reimagining traditional models for economic growth and private investing. Rachel previously served as the Director of Impact Strategy at the Economic Innovation Group (EIG) where she... (More)
Eric Silva Eric Silva
CDFA Legislative Representative
202-930-1437 |
Eric Silva serves as CDFA's Legislative Representative in Washington, DC. Eric has been an instrumental part of CDFA's legislative success over the past two decades. Mr. Silva is a founding partner at NSGS. He began his career in Washington as a Fellow with the Congressional Hunger Center and the Corporation For Enterprise... (More)
Ronita Jackson Ronita Jackson
Manager, Membership
614-705-1300 |
As the Membership Manager, Ronita is responsible for CDFA’s extensive database systems, as well as membership and sponsorship support helping to ensure CDFA member organizations receive the highest level of customer service. Prior to joining CDFA, Ms. Jackson was raising her four kids with her husband in Ohio. However, she... (More)
Kristen Schuman Kristen Schuman
Manager, Programming
614-705-1317 |
As the Manager of Programming at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA), Kristen is responsible for assisting with all CDFA events This includes virtual training courses, the Development Finance Certified Professional Program (DFCP), and in-person conferences covering a variety of development finance... (More)
Madeline Wilson Madeline Wilson
Manager, Marketing & Communications
614-705-1311 |
Madeline is the Marketing & Communications Manager at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). Madeline is responsible for working with fellow CDFA team members to coordinate and execute the organization’s various activities related to outreach, marketing, communication, and quality control. This includes the... (More)
Zeyu Zhang Zeyu Zhang
Manager, Research & Technical Assistance
614-705-1302 |
Zeyu Zhang is a Manager of Research & Technical Assistance for the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). Her focus areas include bond, infrastructure finance, energy, PACE, and P3. She contributes to the team by managing federal programs, conducting research on development finance-related topics, generating... (More)
Ikhlas Ahmed Ikhlas Ahmed
Coordinator, Programming
614-705-1309 |
Ikhlas Ahmed is a Coordinator in the Programming Division at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). Ikhlas is responsible for helping coordinate the day-to-day administration of various CDFA programming events. She contributes to the team by assisting the Director of Programming in building and executing... (More)
Brendan Barry Brendan Barry
Coordinator, Research & Technical Assistance
614-705-1314 |
Brendan Barry is a Coordinator in the Research & Technical Assistance Division at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). Brendan is responsible for contributing to the CDFA Practitioner's Guide to Economic Development Finance 3rd Edition, the National Development Finance Summit, numerous policy papers, and... (More)
Anneliese McClurg Anneliese McClurg
Coordinator, Research & Technical Assistance
614-705-1315 |
Anneliese McClurg is a Coordinator of Research & Technical Assistance at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). Anneliese is responsible for working on the Kellogg Foundation-funded food systems finance initiative and USDA Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training grant. This includes research for... (More)

-CDFA Press Releases

-Lifetime Achievement Awards

The CDFA Lifetime Achievement Award is given to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the development finance industry throughout their professional career. Winners have made innovative and lasting contributions that have had a great impact on the way development finance programs are operated, managed, and administered. This award honors those individuals and the significant legislative contributions to the advancement of new development finance tools, strategies, and approaches.

Learn More

-Policies


CDFA Legal & Financial Disclaimer
CDFA is not herein engaged in rendering legal, accounting, financial or other advisory services, nor does CDFA intend that the material included herein be relied upon to the exclusion of outside counsel or a municipal advisor. This publication, report or presentation is intended to provide accurate and authoritative general information and does not constitute advising on any municipal security or municipal financial product. CDFA is not a registered municipal advisor and does not provide advice, guidance or recommendations on the issuance of municipal securities or municipal financial products. Those seeking to conduct complex financial transactions using the best practices mentioned in this publication, report or presentation are encouraged to seek the advice of a skilled legal, financial and/or registered municipal advisor. Questions concerning this publication, report or presentation should be directed to info@cdfa.net.

CDFA Non-Discrimination Policy
The Council of Development Finance Agencies does not discriminate in any manner contrary to law or justice on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran's status or national origin in its programs or activities, including employment, membership, participation and sponsorship.

CDFA Cancellation Policy
Written cancellations received by email or mail on or before 10 business days prior to the start of the events you are registered for will receive a refund less a $75 administrative charge. No cancellations will be received or refunds issued after this date, however, a substitute may attend at no additional charge. No refunds are given for no-shows; however, the registrant may request that course materials be sent. CDFA is not responsible for cancellations that were sent but never received. Please call to confirm receipt of any such requests. A cancellation confirmation email will be sent within 10 days. Please contact CDFA if you do not receive a confirmation.


CDFA National Sponsors

  • BNY Mellon
  • Bricker Graydon LLP
  • Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
  • Business Oregon
  • Cirrus Secure
  • CohnReznick
  • Frost Brown Todd LLC
  • Hawkins Delafield & Wood LLP
  • Ice Miller LLP
  • KeyBanc Capital Markets
  • Kutak Rock LLP
  • McGuireWoods
  • MuniCap, Inc.
  • National Development Council
  • NW Financial Group, LLC
  • PGAV Planners, LLC
  • Raza Development Fund
  • SB Friedman Development Advisors
  • Stifel Nicolaus
  • U.S. Bank
  • Wells Fargo Securities
  • Z. The Bond Buyer
Become a Sponsor