Washington, D.C. (January 24, 2020) –The Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc. (Wacif) announced additions to its staff and Board of Directors. Wacif’s expanded staff and Board leadership will facilitate Wacif’s efforts to expand access to capital products and capacity building technical assistance to low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs.
“Wacif is growing to meet community need, and human capital is an important component of that growth,” said Executive Director Harold Pettigrew. “From lending to advisory services and programming, adding outstanding people to our team at the Board and staff level deepens our impact on equity and opportunity. I am thrilled to welcome these leaders to our mission at this exciting time in our history.”
Wacif welcomed three dynamic financial and community development leaders to its Board. Matt Glatting is the Executive Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations, for the Housing Partnership Equity Trust (“HPET”), a public purpose affordable housing apartment real estate investment trust (REIT), with responsibility for the organization’s financial strategy and capital raising. Prior to joining HPET, Matt served as Treasurer of Capital Impact Partners, a national community development financial institution that has deployed over $2.7 billion to serve more than 5 million people and create more than 37,000 jobs in sectors critical to building equitable communities. Earlier, he worked in the finance department at Calvert Impact Capital and as an investment analyst at Prudential Capital Group. Matt holds a Master of Economics degree from Macquarie University, Australia and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from St. Norbert College, Wisconsin.
As the Director of Impact Strategy for Capital Impact Partners, a national community development financial institution (CDFI), Ron Kelly oversees the collection, analysis, and dissemination of impact data related to the organization’s work and mission. Previously, he led workforce and economic development strategy on the US Department of Housing and Urban Development Sustainable Communities Initiatives, directed economic development research projects for the Arizona Commerce Authority, managed a national technical assistance effort for state economic development agencies through the U.S. Treasury Department’s State Small Business Credit Initiative, and successfully led industry associations for economic and workforce development research professionals. Ron currently serves on the DC Advisory Board for SEED SPOT. He holds a Master of Regional Planning in City and Regional Planning from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the Rochester Institute of Technology.
Aquil Stinson is a Vice President with Chase Business Banking. He has spent nearly 20 years in financial services. Aquil began his career working at Goldman Sachs in fixed income and spent the last 9 years at JP Morgan Chase in both the Private Client Group & Commercial Banking. In 2018, Aquil joined the Business Banking Group covering the expansion market of Washington DC, residing near his college home of Georgetown University. Aquil maintains strong connections to his hometown in Philadelphia where he co-owns a real estate company with his brothers. While earning is Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Aquil played football at Georgetown University and stays close to the game as a former coach and referee for youth and high school football leagues.
Wacif also welcomed four new team members with expertise in lending, advisory services, program management, and human capital. Samantha Archibald joins the team as the Program Manager for the Minnesota Avenue Main Street program, and leads the design and execution of all Main Street program activities and volunteers. She brings to the role more than 14 years of experience and leadership in community, economic development, and program management in the public sector. She is a member of the American Planning Association (APA) and a Certified Planner with the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP). She is also a certified Charette Manager with the National Charrette Institute. Samantha holds a Bachelor’s in Community and Regional Planning from Iowa State University and a Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Baltimore.
Wacif’s Portfolio Management Analyst, Christopher Pitts, is responsible for managing the loan administration process as well as overseeing portfolio management operations. Chris has spent the past 10 years in the social sector, providing solutions and strategies for low-income communities of color. Most recently, he served as the Impact Investing Associate for Enterprise Community Loan Fund, focused on affordable housing. Prior to this role, he served as a finance analyst and procurement specialist for EdOps, a Benefit Corporation providing business services to charter schools. At EdOps, he managed financial and accounting processes and was the procurement lead to several DC charter schools and nonprofits specializing in the field of education. Christopher serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Total Health Care, Inc.’s Tuerk House, a Federally Qualified Health Center providing substance abuse services to Baltimore residents. In 2017, Christopher was selected to “Leadership Howard County,” a leadership development program designed for rising stars in the county. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
Rasul Sha’ir joins Wacif as a Small Business Advisor, bringing more than 15 years of experience in business development, marketing, digital strategy, design thinking, and business storytelling. For nearly a decade, Rasul ran his own Washington, DC-based marketing and strategy consultancy facilitating growth and business development for start-ups, medium-sized businesses, international organizations, and Fortune 500 and 100 companies. Rasul is a TEDx presenter and two-time TEDx producer. He founded TEDxWDC, which focused on entrepreneurship, innovation and Washington DC’s creative economy. Rasul holds an MBA with a concentration in marketing and brand management from The George Washington University School of Business and a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Prairie View A&M University.
Wacif’s new Human Capital Manager, Junell Venord, leads all human resources (HR)-related functions for the organization. A performance-driven HR professional more than 11 years of experience in comprehensive HR services, Junell serves as HR partner, providing consultative guidance, coaching and support to management and staff regarding talent acquisition/retention, performance management, compensation, benefits, employee relations issues, employment law, organizational policies and procedures, and organizational growth strategies. Junell has a Master of Professional Studies in International Human Resource Management from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts in French Studies & Art from Drew University. She previously worked in the not-for-profit sector for a federal credit union, in addition to HR expertise in legal, education, and retail industries.
Wacif is continuing to recruit outstanding people who share our commitment to equity and opportunity. Visit https://wacif.org/get-involved/careers/ to learn about and apply for the following positions: Financial Controller, Multimedia Production Specialist, Small Business Advisor, and Social Impact Analyst.
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About the Washington Area Community Investment Fund
The Washington Area Community Investment Fund, Inc. (Wacif) is one of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area’s leading Community Development Financial Institution’s (CDFI) focused on small business development. Wacif’s mission is to increase equity and economic opportunity in underserved communities in the Washington, D.C. area by investing knowledge, social, and financial capital in low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs. In the last seven years, Wacif has invested over $9 million in underserved communities throughout the region. Learn more at https://live-wacif.pantheonsite.io.