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 California.

Ronnishia Johnson-Hasan & Rheema Calloway
The Vegan Hood Chefs
Photo by Michelle K. Min

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

  • Meeting communities where they are with a spirit of inclusiveness and listening

  • Adjusting our response to address the size of the challenge

Theory of Change

As a certified, nonprofit CDFI, Working Solutions is a trusted contributor in a collective, community response to wealth inequity.

We use concessionary capital, philanthropic support, and strategic partnerships to originate low-cost loans, deliver restorative grants, and provide business consulting to historically marginalized entrepreneurs, prioritizing BIPOC, low-income individuals, and women, many of whom are at the cross section of several unjust and systemic barriers. We envision a future where all small business owners are financially resilient and strengthen their communities through sustainable entrepreneurship.

Our work provides 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 and to act as catalysts in building generational wealth and vibrant, stable communities.

Strategic Plan

By 2029, Working Solutions will double our all-time deployment to reach $100 million in small-dollar financing for businesses throughout California.

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

  • Lena Robinson

    Associate Director, Community Investment Group
    FHLBank San Francisco

  • Marci Rosenfeld

    Wealth Manager
    J.P. Morgan Wealth Management

Our Team

Senior Leadership

  • Sara Razavi

    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

    BIO
  • Laura Hoover

    CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

    Bio
  • Gasper Magallanes

    CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

    Bio
  • Titi Ikhile

    CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER

    Bio

Lending

  • Priscilla Woo

    DIRECTOR OF LENDING

    Bio
  • Abby Chilingarian

    SENIOR LENDING OFFICER

    Bio
  • Diana Brown

    LENDING OFFICER

    Bio
  • Jhana Valentine

    LENDING OFFICER

    Bio
  • Bri Aguilera

    LENDING OFFICER

    BIO
  • Mariana Murcia-Sandoval

    LENDING ASSOCIATE

    Bio

Consulting

  • Lynnda Mori

    BUSINESS CONSULTING MANAGER

    Bio
  • Crystal Rasmussen

    BUSINESS CONSULTING
    OFFICER

    Bio
  • Karla Posada

    BUSINESS CONSULTING
    OFFICER

    Bio
  • Anita Russell

    COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

    Bio
  • Lenesha Toney

    COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

    Bio
  • Sheila Cunningham

    BUSINESS ADVISOR

Finance & Operations

  • Christian Knight

    PORTFOLIO MANAGER

    Bio
  • Jhoana Rose Juen

    SENIOR PORTFOLIO OFFICER

    Bio
  • Zuilma Garcia

    PORTFOLIO ASSOCIATE

    BIO
  • Debra Steineman

    SENIOR ACCOUNTING MANAGER

    Bio
  • Jenelle Ring

    HR DIRECTOR

Capitalization

  • Natalya Blumenfeld

    IMPACT MANAGER

    Bio
  • Clara Pinsky

    COMMUNICATIONS & IMPACT OFFICER

    Bio
  • Cecy Toro headshot

    Cecy Toro

    BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

    BIO
  • Sabrina Adams

    GRANTS OFFICER

    BIO

Join Our Team

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.