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Cinnaire Closes $211 Million Affordable Housing Fund

Largest Fund in Cinnaire’s History Targets Support of 1,900 Affordable Homes

Cinnaire announced the closing of a $211 million Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Equity Fund with capital raised from fifteen institutional investors. The fund is the largest single equity fund in Cinnaire’s 29-year history and will infuse capital investments into 25 affordable housing properties to create or preserve more than 1,900 homes in five states. Cinnaire’s 2022 Community Fund (Fund 38) raised equity from 12 repeat and three new investors.

“We recognize that safe, affordable housing has never been more meaningful, serving as a school, workplace, health center, and even church in recent years,” said Mark McDaniel, Cinnaire president and CEO. “As the need for safe, affordable housing has grown, our team was inspired to reach higher and bring together developers and investors committed to increasing opportunities for affordable housing, the cornerstone of healthy communities.”

The Fund will support 25 multi-family developments in Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota. These developments include Terrace Heights in Wausau, WI, the revitalization of an aging affordable housing community that will provide 4 two-bedroom and 10 three-bedroom units for families in a largely Hmong community serving residents natively from Laos, Thailand and South China and Restoring Waters in St. Paul, MN, a 60-unit supportive housing community providing affordable housing with support services for women and families recovering from trauma. Overall, the fund will create 1,900 units equating to 3,055 bedrooms serving more than 3,800 individuals including 662 units for seniors or individuals and families with special needs.

“As demand for affordable housing continues to skyrocket, our team has leaned into our commitment to building strong, equitable communities by delivering financing options to increase high-quality, affordable options in our communities,” said Brett Oumedian, Cinnaire chief financial officer.

“We are inspired and grateful for the tenacity of our developer and investor partners who have demonstrated their commitment to expansive local prosperity, the human spirit, individual potential, and well-built communities through their record setting participation in this fund,” said Susan Frank, Cinnaire executive VP, business development. “This fund will increase financial stability for families while creating jobs and boosting the local economy.”

The fund brings Cinnaire’s total equity investment raised since inception to more than $5 billion.

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First American Capital Corporation, Inc. Celebrates 20 Years

After 20 years of providing Native American and other disadvantaged business enterprise entrepreneurs and small businesses with financial and technical assistance, the First American Capital Corporation, Inc. (FACC) is celebrating this milestone by launching a new brand and website. While the identity is updated, the commitment to its clients and partners will be stronger than ever.

Created in 2002 by the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin (AICCW) as a revolving loan fund, FACC has shared a website and associated communication systems with that organization since 2014.

As the organization has grown and needs have increased, Gary Mejchar, FACC Co-executive director/development and acting director of AICCW, said readers, clients, and stakeholders could no longer clearly differentiate between the two non-profit organizations.

“We did not want that to continue with funders and prospective funders and most importantly among those seeking AICCW services or FACC loan products,” he said. “It is time for us to differentiate ourselves from the AICCW, and more clearly delineate respective missions, products, and services.”

The new brand features a feather with vibrant, yet natural and warm colors, as well as First American Capital Corporation’s full name and its abbreviation, FACC. The remarkably simple geometric abstraction of the feather works well as it carries a strong upward movement signifying growth and prosperity, along with the varying levels of lending support that FACC provides. These elements combined with the tagline of “we honor your business” conveys trust, respect, and commitment to the client’s business endeavors.

“We are sharing the message that FACC is proud to be your partner, help you on your business journey and honor your commitment,” said Bill Beson, FACC’s Co-executive director/finance.

The new website is faccwi.org and its social media channels are @FirstAmericanCapitalCorporation on both Facebook and LinkedIn. With a more robust online presence, Mejchar said FACC will change its monthly e-newsletter to a quarterly endeavor.

FACC chose November, which is Native American Heritage Month, to launch its new brand to emphasize that the organization provides ongoing support through its lending programs and technical assistance programs with Native American-owned businesses, Tribal Enterprises, and other eligible markets in Wisconsin. Its work helps to benefit the statewide communities in which business owners operate and live.

FACC worked with O’Connor Connective, a strategic communications consultancy in De Pere, on creating its new brand and website.

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Financial Abuse of the Elderly

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), millions of elderly citizens are targeted annually with some form of financial fraud, and many of these attempts are successful. It has been estimated that seniors lose approximately $3 billion per year as a result of these scams, which are becoming more widespread and sophisticated. Surprisingly, much of the criminal activity is initiated by a friend or family member. A recent study by the University of Southern California revealed that 55% of respondents reporting any type of elder abuse categorized those acts as financial, and that family members were the most alleged perpetrators of elder financial abuse.

With these facts in mind, banks should maintain heightened sensitivity around transactions that involve elderly clients, particularly if these clients have historically managed their own finances and may be exhibiting signs of cognitive decline. Increased vigilance, in general, can assist in uncovering fraud.

Knowing the customer, coupled with a comprehensive employee training program, can act as a strong front-line tactic to help banks prevent and expose elder financial abuse.

Here are some best practices for recognizing “at-risk” clients:

  • Be on the lookout for non-family members being added to banking or investment accounts.
  • Monitor large money transfers and changes in spending patterns, as these could be signs that some form of abuse is occurring. A senior’s spending habits are often predictable in frequency, volume and payees.
  • Be alert for large amounts of funds exiting accounts to payees who had not been previously paid in any manner.
  • Keep detailed notes in the form of dated, journal-type entries, recording any spending or personal behavior that seems unusual. These notes would be in addition to those kept on risk tolerance, goals, objectives, etc.
  • Follow up with clients via phone or email to discuss any sudden financial decisions that seem out of character.
  • In addition to making personal contact, encourage the client to engage an independent attorney to assist in their financial matters.
  • Understand the laws that apply to the financial abuse of an elder client. Follow prescribed protocols if any illegal activity is suspected.
  • Implement internal procedures to elevate circumstances which may present the need for further inquiry and analysis to the appropriate decision-makers.

“It’s important not just to have a system in place to detect elder financial abuse, but to also act on situations where potential fraud or malicious intent has been identified,” said Kristin Roger, vice president and head of financial institutions at Travelers. “We know banks want to serve as trusted advisors to their customers, and by taking simple steps, they can better protect their customers from potential financial harm.”

Elder financial fraud is on the rise and counts as one of the more heinous abuses of trust that senior citizens might endure. Along with the financial damage inflicted on customers, incidents of elder financial fraud can cause serious reputational harm. Therefore, implementing a sound method of prevention, detection, identification and reporting of this criminal behavior is paramount.

Travelers is committed to managing and mitigating risks and exposures, and does so backed by financial stability and a dedicated team — from underwriters to claim professionals – whose mission is to insure and protect a company’s assets. For more information, visit travelers.com.

Travelers is a WBA Associate Member

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Cinnaire Awarded $55 Million New Markets Tax Credit Allocation from CDFI Fund

The U.S. Department of Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) has awarded Cinnaire a $55 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Allocation. The NMTC award supports Cinnaire’s mission to advance healthy communities and will focus on projects supporting education, including early childhood, school-age children, and adults seeking vocation training opportunities throughout the Midwest and MidAtlantic regions.

Chris Neary, Cinnaire SVP – policy, research, and advocacy, joined Treasurer of the United States Chief Lynn Malerba, U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, U.S. Representative Kweisi Mfume, and CDFI Fund Director Jodie Harris to celebrate the announcement last week, which was made at Baltimore’s Lexington Market, a project made possible with NMTC investments from Cinnaire and Enterprise Community Partners.

“Lexington Market demonstrates what can be accomplished when projects in low-income communities can access needed financing for initiatives that will help revitalize them,” said Director Harris. “We often associate the New Markets Tax Credit with new buildings, but just as frequently, the tax credit allows for a new use of an existing property. The Lexington Market will breathe new life into this neighborhood by making fresh food available to residents, build local businesses and wealth, and provide a community gathering place.”

Since 2009, Cinnaire is a nine-time NMTC recipient with awards totaling $474 million.

“We’re excited to join our partners from the CDFI Fund, congressional leaders, and our industry colleagues at the Lexington Market to celebrate this announcement, which will further support projects like this,” said Chris Neary. “The NMTC program provided the financing needed to preserve the oldest public market in the country while creating jobs, bringing healthy food options to the neighborhood, and providing cultural opportunities for all residents to enjoy. Lexington Market is a prime example of the impact made possible thanks to the NMTC program.”

Over the history of the program, Cinnaire has leveraged NMTC investments to finance 47 high-impact projects in disinvested communities with a total development cost of $1.6 billion. Cinnaire’s NMTC investments stimulate communities economically and provide the most vulnerable residents with access to critical services such as vocational training and childcare.

“From the Marygrove Early Childhood Education Center, a project providing transformative cradle-to-career education opportunities for Detroit families, to the Automotive Technology Center at Ivy Tech, the NMTC program supports a wide range of impactful community projects in urban and rural communities across the country,” said Peter Giles, Cinnaire SVP – business development. “We encourage our congressional leaders to prioritize this proven tax incentive for bringing investment to communities that need it most by making the NMTC program permanent.”

The CDFI Fund announcement brings the total amount awarded through the NMTC program to more than $71 billion. Historically, NMTC Program awards have generated $8 of private investment for every $1 invested by the federal government.

“Twenty years ago, the Treasury Department announced the first New Markets Tax Credit awards, and for many economic development projects across the country since then, the New Markets Tax Credit has been a vitally important piece of the puzzle,” Treasurer Chief Malerba said. “This program has created or retained hundreds of thousands of jobs and spurred economic growth in many low-income communities across our country. It is important that Congress sustain these investments over time by making the New Markets Tax Credit Program permanent.”

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Bankers’ Bank Announces a New Addition to the Team and Two Promotions

Bankers’ Bank, a leading correspondent bank for community banks located in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, has announced the addition of new talent to the team and two promotions.

Brian Mickey

Brian Mickey – Bankers’ Bank is excited to welcome Brian Mickey as first vice president, risk management solutions. In this new role, Mickey is responsible for managing and developing the bank’s loan review and portfolio analysis services. He has three decades of experience in the banking industry with experience at small to medium sized commercial banks. He’s worked in many different facets of credit including underwriting, administration, loss mitigation, asset management, and business development with a primary focus on commercial real estate lending. Mickey is excited to partner with community banks and deliver a solution to better meet their needs. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Loyola University of Chicago.

 

David Paxton

David Paxton – Bankers’ Bank recently promoted David Paxton as the new senior vice president, risk management solutions. In his new role, he is responsible for building and executing strategies to grow the bank’s risk management solutions. Paxton joined Bankers’ Bank in early 2022 as first vice president, business solutions. He has worked in community banking for more than 10 years, most recently at Amalgamated Bank of Chicago as the manager of their government services and union services departments. Prior to that role, he worked for ten years in Washington D.C. as a commercial banker. Paxton holds a bachelor’s degree in recreation management from West Virginia University. Paxton is looking forward to building relationships with community banks and providing solutions to meet their risk management needs.

 

Jim Kluck

James “Jim” Kluck – Jim Kluck has been promoted to first vice president, risk management solutions. Kluck is responsible for the management of the bank’s asset liability management and enterprise risk management solutions. He has been with Bankers’ Bank for 5 years, most recently as vice president, asset liability management. In that role, he was responsible for growing the business from five bank customers to over 50 bank customers. Kluck is focused on building long-term relationships with his customers and spends time to understand each customer’s unique circumstances and challenges to help deliver solutions to help banks better manage their risk. Kluck is a graduate of Marquette University with a masters of business administration. He is also a Certified Managerial Accountant.

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The Importance of Communication: How to Assist the Non-Technical in Understanding Technology

By Rob Foxx, CCBTO

As an information technology or information security professional, have you ever had a conversation with a member of your team and watched their eyes glaze over and think to yourself, ‘did they just understand a word I said?’ Welcome to the industry — this is part two in my series assisting technical and non-technical staff to better communicate on the subject of technology. Before breaking down a few simple ideas tech professionals can keep in mind when communicating with non-technical peers — we should first discuss where (and why) we as technology professionals falter in our communication.

Gaps in Experience

Like many of my peers, I spent my younger years studying both in college and independently to absorb as much information as I could in preparation for my career. In many ways, college helped me build my baseline for what I would need to learn both on my own as well as on the job. In addition to the standard classes within my major, I was also required to take speech classes like many college students. I did very well in speaking classes, however, my speeches were often on topics far more engaging to the audience than disaster recovery, firewalls, or server specifications.

Since then, I’ve spent much of my career working in teams with non-technical co-workers and, considering my target audience is usually within the banking industry, more than likely you too are a single individual or part of a very small team supporting your enterprise with minimal contact with those sharing your understanding of technology.

If you are of my generation or older, you were likely told somewhere along the way that you were very gifted or had aptitudes that leaned towards the up-and-coming field of information technology. Unfortunately, if you had any degree of awkwardness, it may have also been sold to you as something that would not require you to regularly communicate with people — a detail probably very few people have found to be true.

Having technical skills, aside from communication, is one of the most important skills one can have. On the upside, many of us have found being an effective communicator does not mean being a master orator or an excellent writer. As proof to that, I will tell you in all honesty that I am neither. I stumble over my words, and I need someone to proofread anything holding more content than a short email or technical report.

Four Things to Keep in Mind

As I continue through my career and often work closely with non-technical individuals, I have found that there are a few ways our profession can not only communicate better, but also build relationships for better future communications.

  • Do not get frustrated with your audience.

None of us learned our profession overnight, so do not set the expectation that your non-technical team members will learn yours after one chat. By getting frustrated, you do a great disservice to the effort of everyone who was patient enough to make sure you understood your profession well enough that you could work successfully and independently.

In further developing good communication skills, technical people will realize the importance of asking co-workers to be specific in their requests. You may frequently get calls from peers saying, “my computer does not work.” By asking follow up questions such as “what are you trying to do,” “what does the computer do when you do that,” or “walk me through the problem,” tech professionals will generally get a better overall response and diagnosis of the issue at hand.

  • Know your audience.

Knowing who you’re talking to and their level of understanding in the subject you are talking about is the major difference between public speaking and speaking with business leaders. Never make assumptions about their level of understanding or be afraid to ask how familiar they are with virtual environments. The least technical executive at your bank most likely still receives business articles that could offer a baseline understanding of the subject matter at hand. Either assuming too much or too little could lead to your target getting frustrated with you expending their limited time.

  • Find a beta user.

My original career goal was to become a software developer. I said from day one that I would want to hire someone who is older and less tech savvy to work with my team and test my product. If my non-technical mother could operate it without significant guidance, then I would have succeeded in developing a product that offers an intuitive and user-friendly design and would be well accepted for its ease of use.

To apply this idea in dealing with business leaders, remember that if you can explain it to someone non-technical — be it a spouse, parent, or even a helpful co-worker — business leaders should have a better chance of understanding what thoughts you are trying to convey.

  • Don’t be judgmental.

Make sure to have a non-judgmental way of communicating if a decision that is being made or considered is problematic. In technology, it may be stating that “this is a band aid to the problem,” or “we will need to readdress this problem sometime in the near future.” In information security, the cue is often “we can do that if you are willing to accept the risk and sign a risk acceptance form.”

Now that we have looked at the issues and a few things to help keep in mind, I encourage you to keep in mind that learning complex concepts and making decisions is a process. Talking over the heads of your coworkers and business leaders may only make this process more difficult. Remember, technology is your profession — not theirs.

Foxx is director – infosec and IT audit services for FIPCO, a WBA Gold Associate Member.

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Three Emerging Ways to Tap into Telemedicine

By Dr. Donna O’Shea, Chief Medical Officer of Population Health, UnitedHealthcare

One silver lining of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the wider adoption of virtual care, a trend that has staying power even as many people have returned to in-person appointments. In fact, 73% of people expect to access health care services virtually even after the pandemic ends.

While many people may think about telemedicine primarily as an alternative to in-person urgent care, technology is making it possible to access various health care services spanning routine, wellness and specialty. Importantly, virtual care has expanded from delivering care to people who are already sick, to helping prevent, detect and more effectively manage chronic conditions.

Virtual care may be appealing for a variety of reasons, including improved convenience, affordability and access, especially for the 46 million Americans who live in rural areas. As Wisconsin residents increasingly look to tap into technology to meet their health care needs, here are three emerging virtual care resources to consider:

Primary care. Primary care is a crucial part of helping people get or stay healthy. In fact, people with access to a primary care physician are more likely to receive high-value services, such as preventive screenings, and report better experiences compared to people without this type of care provider. Unfortunately, the number of Americans with a primary care physician has declined in recent years. To help reverse that trend, many local primary care physicians are now meeting with patients virtually, while some health plans have introduced options to help people establish and maintain an ongoing relationship with this type of care professional.

Physical therapy. For the 50% of U.S. adults affected by musculoskeletal conditions, such as back, knee or shoulder pain, physical therapy (PT) is often among the recommended initial treatments. With that in mind, some local physical therapists are now offering virtual appointments, allowing for education and coaching, and as a supplement for in-person care. When it comes to quality, a recent study confirms virtual PT was similarly as effective as traditional care for people rehabilitating after knee surgery. To make at-home PT support even more accessible, other programs use a smartphone’s front-facing camera and motion monitoring to provide people on-demand, 24/7 exercise feedback powered by artificial intelligence.

Dental care. If a toothache emerges at night or during the weekend, it may be difficult to know where to go for care. As a result, dental care ranks among the most frequently avoidable emergency room (ER) visits, despite the fact most ERs are not equipped to handle oral health issues. Virtual dental care may be able to help, offering people 24/7 access for advice and guidance to an appropriate setting for in-person care, such as a local dentist or a primary care physician. Some dentists and dental plans now offer virtual dental appointments, important resources given the connection between proper oral health and overall well-being.

As more and more people turn to technology to see or talk to health care professionals, these and other emerging virtual care options will play an increasingly important role in helping people get and stay healthy.

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Cinnaire Investments Capture Prestigious Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Awards

Representatives of Cinnare receive the prestigious Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Award in the category “Green and Healthy Housing” for 1300 Residences in River Falls.

Two of Cinnaire’s investments have been awarded the prestigious Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Award (Edson Award). 1300 Residences, a 50-unit senior and veterans housing projects in River Falls, Wis., has been selected as the recipient in the Green and Healthy Housing category, and Rauner Family Veterans Apartments by A Safe Haven Foundation in Indiana, a 75-unit affordable housing community for veterans, has been selected as the winner in the Housing for Veterans of the Armed Forces category.

The Edson awards recognize outstanding affordable housing developments and organizations that have demonstrated especially impactful use of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. The awards are named in honor of Charles Edson, a longtime champion of affordable housing well-known for his role in establishing the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC).

“Chuck’s role in establishing the Low Income Housing Tax Credit resulted in a program that has provided more affordable housing than any other program in existence,” said Mark McDaniel, Cinnaire president and CEO. “The Housing Credit has supported millions of affordable homes in urban and rural communities across the country. It is an honor to have two of our investments, 1300 Residences and Rauner Family VA Apartments, receive the prestigious Edson Award.”

Since 1986, the Housing Credit has financed more than 3.6 million homes for low-income households, including formerly homeless individuals and families, people with disabilities, veterans of the armed forces, and senior citizens. Through public-private partnerships, the Housing Credit offers a proven track record of financing safe, quality, and stable affordable homes in communities where they are needed most.

“As rents have skyrocketed over the past year, these properties have provided sorely needed relief to their residents while improving their communities,” said AHTCC Chief Executive Officer Emily Cadik. “This year’s Edson Award winners have changed lives and neighborhoods for the better and show how much more we could gain if we further expand the program.”

Recipients were recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington D.C. that brought together members of Congress, business, and nonprofit leaders to celebrate LIHTC developments that are strengthening communities, improving health, and boosting the local economy in urban, suburban, and rural neighborhoods across the nation.

“As is consistently the case, the Edson Award winners this year have demonstrated tremendous capacity and creativity in providing affordable homes to families in need in rural and urban communities, and particularly for at-risk populations including seniors, veterans, and the formerly homeless,” said Matt Josephs, AHTCC board president and senior vice president for the Local Initiatives Support Corporation. “Their properties help to showcase why housing credits are so impactful, and I congratulate all of the awardees on their success.”

1300 Residences, co-developed by West CAP and Gerrard Companies, provides 50 affordable homes to working class families as well as seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans.

“The cost of housing remains a challenge for so many in our state and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit is an important tool that can be used to make it more affordable. The development of 1300 Residences in River Falls is well deserving of this year’s Edson Award for providing affordable homes that serve working families as well as seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans in Wisconsin,” said Sen. Tammy Baldwin. “I congratulate 1300 LLC and Gerrard Development on this award from the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition and I want to thank them for their work to foster sustainability and provide affordable housing in Wisconsin. This effort is adding real value to the River Falls community.”

The 4 percent Housing Credit was used to finance 1300 Residences. Cinnaire provided a $5.5 million LIHTC investment to support the $11.7 million project. The property’s design fosters environmental sustainability, and includes 580 rooftop solar panels, three large solar flowers encompassing 36 additional solar panels, and state-of-the-art air source heat pumps for heating and cooling. These green features result not only in annual carbon dioxide emission savings of around 300 tons per year, but also reduce utility and energy costs for residents. Residents also benefit from onsite educational and financial literacy classes, amenities such as a community room, picnic area, playground, and library, and close proximity to downtown River Falls grocery stores, green spaces, education opportunities, and business district.

The Rauner Family Veterans Apartments, owned by A Safe Haven Foundation and developed by KMA Companies, provides 75 affordable homes serving formerly homeless veterans with physical and mental disabilities.

“It’s no surprise that housing affordability is one of the most significant obstacles Americans face, and it remains a key issue I’ve been focused on solving in the Senate. I am proud to give the Edson Award to an outstanding Hoosier facility that serves those who so bravely and selflessly served our country,” said Sen. Todd Young. “The Rauner Family VA Apartments in Hobart will give countless low-income senior and disabled military veterans a place to call home.”

The 4 percent Housing Credit was used to finance Rauner Family Veterans Apartments, with Cinnaire providing a $3.8 million LIHTC investment, a $484,000 predevelopment loan and a $700,000 permanent loan. The property works collaboratively with the nearby Veterans Affairs Medical Center to provide residents with personalized on-site and off-site supportive services and care, such as voluntary case management, intensive employment assistance, life skills training, job placement and coaching, and mentoring and peer support groups. The property is also located in close proximity to Merrillville’s United States Veterans Administration (USVA) office, which provides case managers, nurses, and peer support specialists to the residents and staff of Rauner Family Veterans Apartments.

To learn more about the Edson Awards, please visit: taxcreditcoalition.org/edson-awards

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2022 WBA Management Conference Recap

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Sarah Greenberg Appointed President, Cinnaire Lending

Sarah Greenberg

Cinnaire has announced that Sarah Greenberg has been appointed president, Cinnaire lending. Greenberg brings more than 19 years of experience to the role, serving most recently as Cinnaire’s senior vice president, affordable housing and lending where she oversaw real estate lending and played a key role in structuring the lending department to support Cinnaire’s continued growth.

“Sarah’s experience in the industry and her commitment to supporting racial and social equity in our lending practices will ensure continued stability for Cinnaire Lending as we expand our work in service of our mission and strategic plan,” said Mark McDaniel, Cinnaire president and CEO. “Her expertise in affordable housing and community development finance will serve as a strong asset as she steps into this leadership role. I’m excited for the innovative ideas and energy Sarah brings to our work creating solutions to improve lives and transform communities.”

As President, Cinnaire Lending, Greenberg will set the strategy for Cinnaire lending’s growth in both affordable housing and community development debt financing. She will also manage the teams responsible for originating, underwriting, and closing loans for the full range of Cinnaire lending products.

A nationally recognized leader in affordable housing and community development, Greenberg has demonstrated a commitment to advancing racial, social, and economic equity. She has worked in community investment for more than 19 years, holding leadership positions at NeighborWorks America, Forward Community Investments, the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation, and High Impact Financial Analysis. During her tenure at NeighborWorks, Greenberg was one of the founders of the National Community Stabilization Trust (NCST), a national nonprofit created to facilitate the transfer of foreclosed properties to responsible community organizations. At Forward Community Investments, she launched an Emerging Developer Loan Program in early 2017 to provide financing to BIPOC real estate developers in Wisconsin.

Greenberg has dedicated her career to empowering underserved people and communities. She ran her own consulting practice — Greenberg Strategies LLC — where she provided advisory services to government entities, philanthropic collaboratives, and CDFIs. As a consultant, she helped to launch the Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center, a first of its kind one-stop shop for tenants and landlords in need of assistance to prevent eviction that received accolades from the National League of Cities. Greenberg is on the executive committee for the national CDFI Women’s Network and serves on the Board of Directors for Historic Milwaukee, Housing Resources, Inc., Tempo Milwaukee Foundation, and MobiliSE. She also serves on the Inclusive Financing Subcommittee of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition, where she is helping launch Illinois’ first green bank, authorized by the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) in 2021.

Greenberg received a master’s degree in Community Planning from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management from Tiffin University in Ohio. She has completed fellowships with the American Planning Association and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, along with professional certificates from Georgetown University and the University of Chicago.

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