Speakers Bureau

Community First Funds Speakers Bureau is a comprehensive list of staff members who are available, free of charge, for speaking engagements at meetings and events. With topics ranging from starting a business to obstacles faced by entrepreneurs, economic development in small cities to affordable housing development, Community First staff is committed to making your event a success.

Contact Jamie Frey at jfrey@commfirstfund.org or the marketing department at marketing@commfirstfund.org to request a speaker. Full topic descriptions are listed at the bottom of page.

Staff Person	Topics
Dan Betancourt, President & CEO	Starting a Small Business Small Business Lending SBA Lending Non-Profit Lending Lending in Low-Income Communities and to People of Color Small Cities Redevelopment CDFI Industry Overview
Joan Brodhead, Senior Vice President & COO	Small Business Lending SBA Lending Non-Profit Lending Women in Business Lending in Low-Income Communities and to People of Color Small Cities Redevelopment CDFI Industry Overview
Jeffrey L. Druce, Vice President, Finance & Administration	Small Business Lending SBA Lending Loan Portfolio Management Managing Investments
Daniel T. Beck, Vice President, Community Lending	Small Business Lending SBA Lending Non-Profit Lending Small Cities Redevelopment
James E. Buerger, Vice President, Community Lending	Small Business Lending SBA Lending Non-Profit Lending Small Cities Redevelopment
Mary Kay Eckenrode, Director of Community Lending	Non-Profit Lending Women in Business Lending in Low-Income Communities and to People of Color Small Cities Redevelopment Affordable Housing Financing Affordable Housing Needs and Challenges
Topic Descriptions	Starting a Small Business: Basic facts of starting a business and typical pitfalls to avoid Small Business Lending: Addressing challenges faced by small business owners seeking financing SBA Lending: Understanding guarantee and other lending programs offered by the SBA and how clients can benefit Non-Profit Lending: Identifying needs and addressing challenges faced by non-profit agencies as they apply for financing Lending in Low-Income Communities and to People of Color: Understanding obstacles typically faced by these constituents and how to work with them to develop strong business Small Cities Redevelopment: Understanding the challenges faced by small cities and how to make strategic and impactful decisions regarding financing Women Owned Businesses: Overcoming challenges facing women entrepreneurs regarding credit, collateral, and financing Affordable Housing Financing: Understanding how to work with developers on the creation and financing of affordable housing Affordable Housing Needs and Challenges: Understanding the needs in Pennsylvania for affordable housing and the challenges developers and advocates face Loan Portfolio Management: Understanding the components of loan portfolio management including individual and portfolio risks Managing Investments: Overview of how to forecast need for future loan capital and secure and negotiate debt and equity investments CDFI Industry Overview: Basic facts and history of the Community Development Financial Industry and the major organizations driving policy