ABOUT US
Mission
Working Solutions CDFI is the First to Believe in start-up and early-stage businesses by providing diverse entrepreneurs with affordable capital, customized business consulting, and community connections to increase economic opportunity in Northern California.
Ronnishia Johnson-Hasan & Rheema Calloway
The Vegan Hood Chefs
Photo by Michelle K. Min
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Vision
Working Solutions envisions a future where all small business owners are financially resilient and strengthen their communities through sustainable entrepreneurship.
Values
Equitable access to economic opportunity for historically marginalized entrepreneurs
Transparency, Integrity, Humility, and Respect for all
Meet community where they are and adjust our response to address the size of the challenge
Theory of Change
Working Solutions CDFI (WS) envisions a future where all small business owners are financially resilient and strengthen their communities through sustainable entrepreneurship. As a certified nonprofit CDFI, WS uses concessionary capital, philanthropic support, and strategic partnerships as a trusted contributor in a collective, community response to wealth inequity. WS’s primary activities are to originate low-cost loans, deliver restorative grants, and provide business consulting to historically marginalized entrepreneurs, prioritizing low-income, women, and BIPOC individuals, many of whom are at the cross-sections of several barriers. These activities provide small business owners—no matter their income level, race, ethnicity, gender, or legal status—with the funding, knowledge, and connections they need to operate thriving and sustainable businesses. The resulting knowledge, connections, and business performance position these small business owners in the long term as catalysts to build generational wealth and vibrant, stable communities.
Financials
Working Solutions CDFI is a
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Tax ID# 91-1951777
Our fiscal year runs from October 1 through September 30. Copies of previous years' audited financial statements and Form 990s are available upon request at info@workingsolutions.org.
Annual Reports
Working Solutions is pleased to share our annual social impact reports, which capture highlights of our work each fiscal year.
To learn about our all-time impact, visit our Data page.
Board of Directors
-
Paloma Vidgen, Chair
Commercial Women’s Business Development Strategy Lead
BMO Commercial Bank -
Olivia Rebanal, Vice Chair
Chief Impact Officer
Ecotrust -
Christina Travers, Treasurer
CFO
LISC -
Mindy Christensen, Secretary
Senior Vice President, Community Development Real Estate
Capital Impact Partners
-
Marisa Calderon
President & CEO
Prosperity Now -
Haseeb Chaudhry
Senior Vice President
Bank of America -
Emily Gasner
Founding CEO of Working Solutions; Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Operations
California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity (CAMEO) -
Tate Hill
President & CEO
Access Plus Capital -
Will Jackson
Vice President, Business Access Advisor
U.S. Bank -
Brian Nagendra
Associate Director of Impact Investing
Spring Point Partners -
Purvi Patel
Deputy Commissioner for Credit Unions
California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation -
Lena Robinson
Community Reinvestment and Community Partnerships
JPMorgan Chase -
Marci Rosenfeld
Wealth Manager
J.P. Morgan Wealth Management
Our Team
Senior Leadership
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Sara Razavi
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
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Laura Hoover
CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
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Gasper Magallanes
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
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Titi Ikhile
CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER
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John Palyo
CHIEF LENDING OFFICER
Lending
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Priscilla Woo
DIRECTOR OF LENDING
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Abby Chilingarian
SENIOR LENDING OFFICER
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Diana Brown
LENDING OFFICER
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Jhana Valentine
LENDING OFFICER
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Brisia Rodríguez Aguilera
LENDING OFFCER
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Mariana Sandoval
LENDING ASSOCIATE
Consulting
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Lynnda Mori
BUSINESS CONSULTING MANAGER
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Crystal Rasmussen
BUSINESS CONSULTING
OFFICER -
Karla Posada
BUSINESS CONSULTING
OFFICER -
Anita Russell
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
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Lenesha Butts-Toney
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
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Sheila Cunningham
BUSINESS ADVISOR
Finance & Operations
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Christian Knight
PORTFOLIO MANAGER
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Jhoana Rose Juen
PORTFOLIO OFFICER
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Debra Steineman
SENIOR ACCOUNTING MANAGER
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Jenelle Ring
HR DIRECTOR
Capitalization
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Natalya Blumenfeld
IMPACT MANAGER
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Clara Pinsky
COMMUNICATIONS & IMPACT OFFICER
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Cecy Valencia
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
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Sabrina Adams
GRANTS OFFICER
Join Our Team
Current Opportunities:
We are always on the lookout for people who are passionate about our mission. Please send us your resume to be considered for any future openings.