2018 Meet the Candidates

Get to Know the Candidates for OFN’s Five Open Board Seats

The OFN 2018 Board Elections campaign is on! Learn about the women and men in the running to fill the five open seats on OFN’s Board of Directors.

Enjoy the candidates’ campaign materials below. Then, participate in shaping the OFN Board and influencing the industry by voting at the OFN Membership Meeting on Wednesday, October 10, at 9:00 AM. Can’t make it to the Conference? Contact Seth Julyan to vote by proxy!

To ensure an efficient voting process, please identify your CDFI’s Voting Delegate in advance of the October 10 Membership Meeting and contact Seth Julyan with the delegate’s name. Voting Delegates will be able to pick up their ballots 30 minutes before the start of the Membership Meeting.

David Beck
Betsy Biemann
Marla Bilonick
Jessie Lee
Kristine Michie
Robert Villarreal
Pearl Wicks

David Beck

Policy Director
Self-Help
Durham, NC

My name is David Beck and I am Policy Director at Self-Help, a Community Development Financial Institution headquartered in Durham, NC. I am excited to run for election to the OFN Board of Directors and would be honored to have your CDFI’s vote. READ MORE

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Betsy Biemann

Chief Executive Officer
CEI
Brunswick, ME

My ancestors immigrated to the U.S. in the early and middle years of last century, fleeing political insecurity and the lack of economic opportunity. They were welcomed here and, with hard work, were able to build a better life for themselves and their family. READ MORE

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Marla Bilonick

Executive Director
Latino Economic Development Center
Washington DC

I am very excited to put forth my candidacy for OFN’s Board of Directors. This is an exciting opportunity for a Latina leader of a CDFI to take on and I am thrilled to be able to face this challenge head on. READ MORE

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Jessie Lee

Managing Director
Renaissance Economic Development Corporation
New York, NY

My name is Jessie Lee, and I am the Managing Director of Renaissance Economic Development Corporation (REDC) in New York City. REDC was established in 1997 as an affiliate of the comprehensive community development organization Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE). READ MORE

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Kristine Michie

Vice President of Strategic Philanthropy & Investments
Accion serving Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico & Texas
Albuquerque, NM

Eighteen months ago, I didn’t know what a CDFI was. Today, I seek the high honor of serving on the Board of OFN, the organization which has been the leading voice of the CDFI sector for more than 30 years – and is needed now more than ever. READ MORE

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Robert Villarreal

President
Bankers Small Business CDC of California
San Diego, CA

It is an honor to be nominated for the board of Opportunity Finance Network (OFN). Community and economic development are both my career and passion and I am here because of my father, an immigrant from Mexico who came to California in the 1940s seeking a better life for his family. READ MORE

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Pearl Wicks

SVP, Retail Operations
Hope Credit Union
Jackson, MS

I serve as the Senior Vice President for Retail Operations at HOPE (Hope Enterprise Corporation and Hope Credit Union) and I look forward to serving a second term as your next Opportunity Finance Network Board member. In addition to over 20 years of experience in the banking and community development industry, I am a product of rural America and will bring this important perspective to the OFN board. READ MORE

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