OFN Board of Directors at the 40th annual OFN Conference in Los Angeles, California. Not pictured: Donna Gambrell and Ariel Meyerstein
A New Class of Community Finance Leaders Elected to the OFN Board
Opportunity Finance Network
During OFN’s 40th annual conference, members elected four new CDFI leaders to serve on the Board of Directors
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
It’s election season. And not just presidential.
Each year during OFN’s annual conference, the largest annual convening of CDFI practitioners across the country, OFN hosts elections to select new and returning board members to its Board of Directors. This year, fifteen community finance leaders ran to fill four open seats on the board.
The votes are in, and we are thrilled to welcome Skya Ducheneaux, John Holdsclaw IV, Nelly Rojas-Moreno, and Arlo Washington as OFN’s newest board members.
“I am delighted to welcome Skya, John, Nelly, and Arlo to OFN’s Board of Directors” said Donna Gambrell, President and CEO of Appalachian Community Capital and chair of the OFN Board of Directors. “I also want to thank all those who put themselves forward for election – your passion, commitment, and expertise exemplify why OFN and our network are made for this moment.”
Kicking off in September, the candidates campaigned for over a month leading up to the annual meeting at OFN40. The competition this year was particularly strong. We appreciate each of the candidates for displaying their passion and dedication to the CDFI industry and bringing opportunity to the communities we serve, as well as the delegates for their informed votes.
As a governing body of the nation’s leading network and intermediary focused on community development investment, OFN’s Board of Directors drive economic, racial, and climate justice in their home communities and help pave the future of community finance.
Skya Ducheneaux is the Executive Director of Akiptan, a Native CDFI based in Eagle Butte, SD on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. Born and raised as a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Skya brings a deep understanding of and personal connection to rural and Native communities. She has helped to grow Akiptan from a small fund to an industry leader in Native agriculture lending.
John Holdsclaw IV is the founding President and CEO of Rochdale Capital, based in Arlington, VA. With over two decades of experience in cooperatives, community development finance, and public policy, John’s work focuses on empowering communities through community ownership, advocacy, and education. His campaign, “Leaving It All on the Field,” centered his vision to enhance the impact, capabilities, and reach of all CDFIs through proven leadership, effective stakeholder management, and progressive public policy.
Nelly Rojas-Moreno is the Chief Financial Officer of the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB), based in Washington, D.C. She holds over two decades of experience in community and economic development, and formerly led LiftFund’s growth to one of the nation’s largest microlenders. Committed to advancing OFN’s pillars of Money, Strength, and Voice, Nelly aims to leverage expertise in financial management, advocacy, and inclusive lending practices to foster equitable access to capital and support underserved communities.
Arlo Washington is the President and CEO of People Trust Community Loan Fund, based in Little Rock, AK. With extensive experience in community development finance, Arlo is a dedicated advocate for equitable economic development and innovative financial solutions to uplift underserved communities. Known for creating inclusive financial models and impactful partnerships, he brings strategic vision and community-centered leadership to the OFN Board of Directors.
As this new group of leaders joins the board, we sincerely thank those departing the board for their years of service and work to bring opportunity to all:
- David Beck, Director of Public Policy and Media Relations, Self-Help Credit Union
- Betsy Biemann, CEO, Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI)
- Marla Bilonick, President and CEO, National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB)
- Elena Gonzales, CEO, Homewise
- Robert Villareal, Board Member, MoFi
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