Charting Opportunity Next: Welcome to OFN’s New Board Members
OFN members elect four new visionary leaders to OFN’s Board of Directors. Welcome to DeMario Greene, Titi Ikhile, Henry Jiménez (incumbent), and Chuck Wall.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
As a governing body of the leading network of CDFIs, OFN’s Board of Directors champions our commitment to create opportunity for all. Every year, during the annual board elections, OFN welcomes new board members from across the industry as others term out.
Last week at the annual OFN Conference, more than 2,100 practitioners, policymakers, funders, and investors convened under the theme Opportunity Next — a call to build the next era of community development finance.
At the conference, and after a month-long campaign, ballots were cast and votes were counted. The competition was strong and OFN thanks everyone who put their hat in the ring for this year’s elections.
OFN is delighted to welcome DeMario Greene, Titi Ikhile, and Chuck Wall to the Board and to congratulate Henry Jiménez (incumbent) on his reelection.
“These talented, visionary leaders embody what Opportunity Next is all about — innovation, purpose, and determination,” said Aisha Benson, Chair of the OFN Board of Directors and President and CEO of Nonprofit Finance Fund. “Their perspectives will help shape the next chapter of OFN’s work, ensuring that we are creating opportunity for all.”
DeMario Greene, Policy and Government Relations Director, Chicago Community Loan Fund (CCLF), Illinois
A seasoned policy strategist, DeMario leads CCLF’s advocacy for equitable development in the Chicago region and across Illinois. His leadership has advanced state and local legislation to expand affordable housing and access to credit in historically underinvested communities. As Director of the Illinois CDFI Network, DeMario is helping shape a state CDFI Fund to strengthen local lending ecosystems.
Titi Ikhile, Chief Program Officer and Acting Chief Lending Officer, Working Solutions CDFI, California
A first-generation immigrant from Nigeria, Titi leads with lived experience and a passion for equity. At Working Solutions, she helps advance affordable capital access for start-up and early-stage entrepreneurs, with more than 60% of lending directed to low-income, people of color, and women business owners. Titi brings a West Coast perspective and a commitment to scaling small-dollar lending and advancing technology-driven, inclusive growth across the industry.
Henry Jiménez, President and CEO, Propel Nonprofits, Minnesota (incumbent)
Re-elected for a second term, Henry has served as OFN Board Vice Chair and chaired the Membership Services Committee. As a CDFI leader in the Midwest, he has guided Propel Nonprofits’ work supporting organizations across the region with capital and strategic services. In Minnesota, he has successfully partnered to lobby for funds and programs that have benefited clients and the CDFI ecosystem, totaling more than $100 million in community and small-business investments. He also served on the board of the Minnesota CDFI Coalition.
Chuck Wall, Chief Financial Officer, Renaissance Community Loan Fund (RCLF), Mississippi
Chuck grew up on a farm in rural Illinois and was the first in his family to graduate from college, an achievement that shaped his values and career. With more than 40 years of experience in banking, private equity, and accounting, Chuck brings financial expertise and a deep commitment to underinvested communities. At RCLF, he has helped transform the organization from a small grant-funded nonprofit into a strong CDFI with more than 90% earning assets. Under his leadership, RCLF became the first Mississippi-based CDFI to participate in the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program and a NeighborWorks organization.
As we welcome this group of leaders to the board, we are also profoundly grateful for the hard work and commitment of those who have departed OFN’s board. OFN created the Chuck Matthei Society to recognize former OFN Board Members whose service and leadership are vital to community development finance. This year, we are proud to recognize two leaders – Sara Razavi, CEO of Working Solutions CDFI and Elena Gonzales, Chief Operating Officer of Homewise – whose vision and dedication embody Chuck’s legacy. To stay up-to-date with next year’s election, subscribe to OFN’s newsletter and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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