CDFI Leaders Elected to the OFN Board at Annual Conference

October 31, 2023 –

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On October 17, during the 39th annual OFN Conference, member CDFIs elected three CDFI leaders to OFN’s Board of Directors.

As a governing body of the leading network of CDFIs, OFN’s Board of Directors champion the industry where capital meets purpose. Every year, during the annual board elections, OFN welcomes new board members from across the industry as others term out. These CDFI practitioners drive economic, racial, and climate justice in their home communities and shape the industry for the future.

In 2023, at the annual OFN Conference, seven leaders ran to fill three open seats on the board.

After a monthlong campaign, the ballots were cast, and the votes were counted. The competition was strong, and we are grateful for everyone who put their hat in the ring for this year’s elections.

OFN is delighted to announce that Martina Edwards is our newest board member. And we congratulate Aisha Benson and Ted Piccolo on their re-elections.

Aisha Benson, president and CEO of the Nonprofit Finance Fund, enters her second full term on the board. Benson has more than 30 years of experience financing nonprofits, small and midsize businesses, and real estate projects.

She has worked on everything from technical assistance and small-scale lending to large acquisition loans and NMTC transactions. Benson is passionate about utilizing her lived experiences and professional expertise to create belonging for CDFIs of all backgrounds and sizes.

Meet the 2023 Candidates-Martina Edwards

Martina Edwards, chief of strategic partnerships of Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs, joins the OFN Board of Directors with more than 22 years of diverse experience.

From capital markets to private equity, nonprofit leadership, community development finance to venture capital, Edwards has extensive experience in finance, capital raises, and business strategy to help underserved communities. Her upbringing in rural Alabama has inspired her work with and for communities underserved by mainstream finance.

Ted Piccolo, board member of ATNI-EDC, enters his second full term on the board. Piccolo is the former founding executive director of the Northwest Native Development Fund. He founded and grew the Native CDFI for 15 years on the Colville Indian Reservation.

Piccolo brings expertise in starting and growing a loan fund and a strong track record of collaboration and leadership in the industry. Piccolo is driven by the people and partnerships that make up the CDFI industry and looks forward to serving them in this capacity.

“On behalf of OFN, I am excited to have Aisha, Martina, and Ted on the Board,” said Donna Gambrell, president and CEO of Appalachian Community Capital and chair of the OFN Board of Directors. “These stellar mission-driven leaders all are change-makers in the communities they serve. Their expertise and passion are welcome additions to our remarkable board, and I look forward to our work together!”

See OFN’s Board of Directors