OFN Congratulates Amir Kirkwood on New Role as President and CEO of Virginia Community Capital

Effective November 1, OFN Chief Investment and Network Officer Amir Kirkwood will depart OFN to take on a new role as president and CEO of OFN member Virginia Community Capital. 

Amir will replace Jane Henderson, president and CEO of VCC, who is retiring from her position. As the organization’s founding executive director, Henderson has led VCC since its inception in 2006. Her banking career includes 29 years spent in community development finance. 

“I am excited to join the team at VCC and lead the organization into its next phase of growth. VCC provides a set of financial and advisory services unique to community development,” said Amir. “The capacity to provide both innovative financing and place-based investment services demonstrates Jane’s original vision and the organization’s potential. After 20 years in community and economic development, I can attest to the importance of VCC’s multi-disciplinary approach to bringing deep impact and growth to communities.” 

OFN President and CEO Lisa Mensah said, “On behalf of the board of directors and the entire team at OFN, I congratulate Amir on his appointment as president and CEO at VCC. I am thrilled that Amir is joining one of our innovative members in a prominent leadership role. I thank Amir for his work to advance OFN’s bold push for capital for CDFIs and for building a deep bench of strong and talented employees at OFN. We are excited to continue to work with Amir in his new role and expect to see many more accomplishments to come.”

As OFN immediately commences recruiting for a replacement, Amber Kuchar-Bell, OFN’s chief strategy and operations officer, has been appointed as interim chief investment and network officer. Amber has more than 18 years of experience at underwriting and asset management.  

Read VCC’s full press release.