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.
100 E. Broad Street, Suite 1200
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Toby Rittner
President & CEO
614-705-1300
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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 ... 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. Mr. Rittner runs the day-to-day operations of the Council including the organization’s various educational, advocacy, research, resources and networking initiatives.
Rittner is one of the most vocal and recognized leaders of the development finance industry nationwide and has advised state and federal government leaders, including President Obama’s Administration Transition Team, on economic development finance policy. Through his leadership and guidance, CDFA was successful in preserving private activity bonds and other critical development finance tools during the 2017 tax reform deliberations.
Rittner focuses on sustainable finance with an emphasis on infrastructure, clean energy food systems, small business and innovations in the development finance industry to drive sustainable outcomes. He has written extensively about impact ready initiatives that leverage and engage capital in ways that drive local sustainability in both the environment and economy.
Rittner is a frequent speaker at local, state and national conferences and events focused on economic development finance. He has been featured in The Bond Buyer, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, NPR and other national media publications concerning the advancement of development finance tools. He is the author of CDFA's highly acclaimed Practitioner's Guide to Economic Development Finance and co-author of CDFA's Unlocking Capital: A Handbook for Becoming a High Performing Development Finance Agency.
Rittner is an adjunct faculty member at The Ohio State University and Carnegie Mellon University teaching planning and finance for sustainable economic development. He is also a Development Finance Certified Professional (DFCP) and has completed the prestigious Oxford University Sustainable Finance Foundation Course.
Prior to joining CDFA, Mr. Rittner was the Director of Legislative Affairs for the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Mr. Rittner has also worked for the Franklin County, Ohio Board of Commissioners and the City of Gahanna, Ohio. Mr. Rittner previously served on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Financial Advisory Board and is a member of the Advisory Board for the National Community Fund I. Mr. Rittner holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master's of City and Regional Planning degree from The Ohio State University. Mr. Rittner was awarded the Ohio State University College of Engineering Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2016. (More)
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Katie Kramer
Vice President
614-705-1318
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Katie Kramer is a Vice President at the Council of Development Finance Agencies and has been with CDFA since 2005. She is an accomplished non-profit executive with expertise in fundraising, grant writing, operations, and building organizational capacity. In her role at CDFA, she leads Government & External Affairs, ... provides technical assistance to communities, and builds strategic partnerships with foundations, federal agencies, and other industry non-profits to grow the professional acumen of CDFA members and the development finance industry at-large.
Ms. Kramer interacts with thousands of development finance practitioners each year, guiding them through their professional development and understanding of the diversity of development finance programs. She has developed numerous courses in the CDFA Training Institute, edited several CDFA publications, and designed marketing and communications collateral for the association. Her writing has been featured in publications and reports on development finance, including those commissioned by The Kresge Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, World Bank, U.S. Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, and U.S. Department of Agriculture. She regularly speaks about development finance at national and local conferences and is a guest lecturer at The Ohio State University.
Previously, Ms. Kramer served as CDFA’s Director of Education & Programs and Development Director. Before joining CDFA, Ms. Kramer worked in the Assessment Division at Ballard & Tighe, Publishers as Project Coordinator where she managed projects involved with the development of standardized language tests. Prior to Ballard & Tighe, Ms. Kramer was employed by Scripps College as Assistant Director of the Annual Fund where she organized fundraising campaigns for alumnae, parents, and students.
She studied art history at Scripps College and holds a BA in English with honors from Cleveland State University. Ms. Kramer is a board member for the Ohio Statewide Development Corporation and serves on the advisory board for St. Agatha School. (More)
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Darnell Moses
Vice President
614-705-1310
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As Vice President of Development Finance with CDFA, Mr. Moses works within all facets of CDFA. His expertise enhances the work in Research and Technical Assistance, including working on CDFA Publications; Government Affairs including participating in the Federal Financing Webinar; and Programming with a focus on Course ... Advising all areas; but specifically Tax Credit financing. Mr. Moses will play a role in Operations, Budgeting and Professional Development. Additionally, Mr. Moses will work in certain areas with the Board of Directors of CDFA.
Prior to CDFA, Mr. Moses was the Administrator of Contracts and Compliance for the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. In this role, he oversaw the administration of over 350 contracts that expensed in excess of $900 Million. He was also responsible for fiscal and corporate compliance of these contracts.
Mr. Moses spent 15 years with the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development, of which 10 years were spent as the Manager of The Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County, Allegheny County Industrial Development Authority, Hospital Development Authority, Higher Education Building Authority, Residential Finance Authority and The Authority for Improvements in Municipalities. He managed the day-to-day responsibilities of each of these Authorities while simultaneously overseeing various projects. Projects consisted of the issuance of over $5 billion dollars in Tax-Exempt/Tax Increment Financing; Management of a $50 million dollar loan fund; the creation of a $6 million dollar grant fund; and the creation of a Municipal Consolidation Fund.
Mr. Moses has spoken on the efficiencies of administering multiple Authorities while working with government entities. He provided consulting to development agencies, and more recently, he has spoken frequently on the importance of Non-Profit Management/Governance.
Mr. Moses has a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies from the University of Pittsburgh and a Juris Doctor from Duquesne University School of Law. (More)
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Jerad Groves
Director, Marketing and Communications
Joining CDFA in 2021 as Director of Marketing and Communications, Jerad is responsible for CDFA’s external marketing efforts, overseeing day-to-day communications and developing long term strategies and marketing plans. He works across all departments of CDFA, helping them promote their respective programs, publications, ... and initiatives, as well as providing graphic design and creative development.
Prior to joining CDFA, Jerad spent 20+ years working in brand consulting agencies, during which he served as a graphic designer, creative director, director of strategy, and principal. His clients ranged from start-ups to Fortune 500s across a variety of sectors and included financial institutions such as Bank One, Chase, and Huntington. He worked extensively with individual credit unions as well as the Ohio Credit Union League, a non-profit trade association, where he developed a deep appreciation for mission-based organizations. He continues to consult with other non-profits, primarily in the economic development and art/design sectors, and currently serves at Vice President of the McConnell Arts Center’s Board of Directors. (More)
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Hannah McConnell
Director, Programming
614-705-1305
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As the Director of Programming, Hannah McConnell oversees the day-to-day activities and execution of CDFA programming including: the CDFA National Development Finance Summit, state events, tailored seminars and webinars, as well as the CDFA Training Institute, Summer School, and the DFCP program. Prior to joining CDFA, Ms. ... McConnell was a Continuing Medical Education Coordinator with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. With OSUWMC, she oversaw event logistics, marketing efforts, education certification standards, and speaker coordination for state and nationwide events that provided continuing education credit to practicing physicians across the country.
Ms. McConnell holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology from The Ohio State University. (More)
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Noelle Sheets
Director, Development
614-705-1300
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Noelle Sheets is the Director of Development for the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). In this role, Ms. Sheets is responsible for leading and managing CDFA’s sponsorship and membership efforts. Noelle's main objective is to do whatever it takes to ensure CDFA member organizations receive the highest level of ... customer service. Ms. Sheets joins CDFA with a broad range of experience within nonprofit associations including SSTI, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry of Central Ohio and the Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland. She is skilled at connecting with people in an authentic and impactful manner that leads to effective collaboration and shared success. Ms. Sheets holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations from Capital University. (More)
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Genna Auteri
Manager, Education
614-705-1303
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As the Manager of Education, Genna is responsible for the CDFA Training Institute; planning the online WebCourses and in-person trainings. Genna also plans and executes CDFA's Summer School and oversees the Development Finance Certified Professional Program or DFCP - a comprehensive certification program exclusively ... offered by CDFA.
Prior to working at CDFA, Genna sharpened her data analysis and visualization skills by working for a nonprofit focused on community based research and data. Genna is most proud of her work on a comprehensive report about sex trafficking in Central Ohio and facilitating focus groups with low income women about their childcare needs.
Genna is a graduate of Ohio University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Women and Gender Studies and a Master’s degree in Sociology with a focus on intersectionality and gender violence. Genna also works as an adjunct instructor at Columbus State Community College where she teaches Introduction to Sociology. (More)
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Ariel Miller
Manager, Research & Technical Assistance
614-705-1319
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Ariel Miller is a Research & Technical Assistance Manager with the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). Her work is primarily focused on the W.K. Kellogg Foundation-funded initiative “Defining the Food System Asset Class,” through which CDFA is exploring how development finance can become more engaged in ... advancing localized food systems. This includes researching and writing about efforts to finance food-related projects, collecting data to demonstrate the viability of food system investment, and developing strategic approaches for restoring local and regional food systems. She also researches energy and broadband infrastructure finance, revolving loan funds, public-private partnership financing, and strategies to increase access to capital for underserved groups.
For more than a decade, Ms. Miller has dedicated her career to building a more equitable and resilient food system that is economically, ecologically, and socially viable. She currently serves as Chair of the Franklin County Local Food Council, which partners with Columbus Public Health and Franklin County Economic Development and Planning to implement the joint City/County Local Food Action Plan.
Ms. Miller received her Master of City and Regional Planning degree from The Ohio State University, where she also earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. (More)
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Allison Rowland
Manager, Research & Technical Assistance
614-705-1308
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As Manager of Research and Technical Assistance for the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA), Allison oversees all of CDFA’s food systems finance work, including the W.K. Kellogg Foundation-funded initiative to “define the food system asset class” to advance opportunities and leverage existing financing streams ... to scale local and regional food systems by increasing access to healthy foods and creating new living wage jobs in communities across the country. Throughout this work, Allison has collaborated with hundreds of stakeholders and co-authored the CDFA Food Finance White Paper Series. Allison also is working alongside five food system pilot projects across the country, leads the Food Systems Finance Advisory Council, and is initiating a variety of technical assistance projects to help position communities, their resources, and their financial products to support equitable, local food economies.
Allison also researches financing tools for the energy sector and economic development tools for Native American communities. She also produces several monthly newsletters and manages various webinar series.
Allison is a graduate of The Ohio State University where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in City and Regional Planning with a focus on sustainable community and economic development. (More)
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Meghan Wentz
Manager, Operations
614-705-1301
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Meghan Wentz is the Operations Manager at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). Mrs. Wentz is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the CDFA Staff and Office. Her responsibilities extend from Human Resources, IT, and Accounting to Payroll and New Employee Orientation. She also works with the staff to ... ensure proper procedures and standard practices are kept in place to ensure an efficient workplace environment. As a liaison between CDFA Staff and vendors, Meghan allows for more time to be spent on CDFA tasks and goals.
Meghan has previously spent time building her professional skill set at several positions that range from professional sales to retirement investment administration, before joining CDFA in 2019.
Meghan graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and French Languages. (More)
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Stephanie Brewer
Coordinator, Programming
614-705-1302
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Stephanie Brewer is the Coordinator of Programming at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA). Stephanie is responsible to build and execute events, coordinate logistics, secure speakers, facilitate marketing and provide pre- and post- event management. These events that are being coordinated are CDFA's Training ... Institutes, which involves: online Webinars and in person conferences. Stephanie coordinates these events by developing agendas, outlines, and curriculums. She assists with the conference and training related planning and logistics of the event. This involves coordinating speaker details and information, and addressing the attendee experiences and on-site and remote logistics. In order to get attendees, Ms. Brewer advertises CDFA's Training Institutes by informing participants what they can learn through newsletters, emails, and other digital content.
Prior to joining CDFA, Stephanie was a Sales Representative for Nabisco. With Nabisco, Stephanie worked with grocery stores to get optimal locations for Nabisco's products. She used data and marketing materials for the extra space and prime locations. She coordinated executing extra display activity and marketing trends.
Stephanie Brewer holds a MBA with NorthCentral University and a Bachelors in Science focusing on Marketing/Sales at Bowling Green State University. (More)
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Malcolm Guy
Coordinator, Government & External Affairs
614-705-1306
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As a Coordinator of Government & External Affairs at the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA), Malcolm Guy is primarily responsible for the organization’s government affairs and legislative activities. Mr. Guy manages relationships with federal agencies and coordinates advocacy efforts with CDFA’s legislative ... partners. His areas of focus chiefly include bond financing, federal financing programs, opportunity zones, and tracking economic development legislation.
In addition to his aforementioned principal duties, Mr. Guy manages several webinar series’ for CDFA and organizes several major projects. These have included the redesign of CDFA’s Resource Centers, Federal Financing Clearinghouse, the Online Resource Database, the production of a Rural Infrastructure Financing Guidebook, and various other internal projects. Mr. Guy has also been charged with updating CDFA's Bond Guide as well as managing the CDFA Federal Financing Clearinghouse.
Prior to joining CDFA, Mr. Guy was an Intern in the United States Senate. Mr. Guy also worked with a non-profit climate action group and various other political entities involved in grassroots campaign organizing. Mr. Guy is a graduate of The Ohio State University. He is the proud holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, with Minors in City & Regional Planning, as well as in International Relations. (More)
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Ronita Jackson
Coordinator, Development
614-705-1304
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As the Coordinator of Development, 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 was excited to rejoin the workforce and become a valuable asset to CDFA. Ronita spent five years with Marion Technical College as the Diversity Outreach Coordinator where she founded the Diversity Club and taught "Dealing with Diversity" courses as an adjunct faculty member. She also performed public speaking in high schools to inform and educate the students about the advantages of exploring nontraditional courses as they navigated through school, college, and the workforce. Ms. Jackson also worked as an Insurance Agent where she honed her skills at cultivating relationships, delivering superb customer service, and developing prospect lists.
Ronita is a graduate of The Ohio State University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in African American Studies. She is very proud to proclaim that as a mother of three (while pregnant with her fourth), she earned her Master’s degree from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Organizational Management. (More)
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