| Wed 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM |
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| Wed 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM |
Preserving & Protecting Tax-Exempt Bonds
Tax-exempt bonds are vital to financing public infrastructure, housing, manufacturing, and more. This session will address how to protect and expand access to this foundational tool under the new administration and Congress.
Moderator(s)
- Martin Walke, Vice President, Louisiana Public Facilities Authority
Speaker(s)
- Emily Brock, Director, Federal Liaison Center, Government Finance Officers Association
- Irma Esparza Diggs, Senior Executive and Director-Federal Advocacy, National League of Cities
- Charles Samuels, Member / Co-chair, Retail and Consumer Products, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
- Eric Silva, CDFA Legislative Representative, North South Government Strategies
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| Wed 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
A New Approach to Disaster Recovery Finance
With climate-driven disasters on the rise, it’s time to rethink how we fund recovery. Explore innovative models for resilience financing, including how federal programs can better support long-term community rebuilding.
Moderator(s)
- Toby Rittner, President & CEO, Council of Development Finance Agencies
Speaker(s)
- Renee Antoine, Legislative Director, National Governors Association
- Emily Brown, Director of Government Funding, SWPA Municipal Project Hub
- Kristen Fanarakis, Associate Director, Small Business Policy and Innovation, Milken Institute
- Ellen Lurie Hoffman, Executive Director, Center for Impact Finance
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| Wed 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
The Future of Federal Community & Environmental Finance Programs
This session will highlight upcoming opportunities and risks for key federal community and environmental finance programs amid shifting political and fiscal priorities.
Moderator(s)
- Toby Rittner, President & CEO, Council of Development Finance Agencies
Speaker(s)
- Katharine Burgess, Vice President, Land Use & Development, Smart Growth America
- Liz Carter, Senior Director of Legislative Affairs, Advantage Capital
- Brad Elphick, Partner, Novogradac & Company LLP
- Bob Rapoza, President and Founder, Rapoza Associates
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| Wed 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM |
Funding Forward: A Lunch Roundtable on Collective Capital Solutions
Join CDFA and cross-sector leaders for a dynamic working lunch focused on innovative, community-driven capital strategies. This interactive roundtable format invites attendees to engage directly with featured leaders—rotating between tables to explore bold ideas, share insights, and build partnerships for inclusive economic development. Lunch provided.
Moderator(s)
- Fawn Zimmerman, Managing Director, CDFA Advisory Services, Council of Development Finance Agencies
Speaker(s)
- Aisha Benson, Chief Executive Officer, Nonprofit Finance Fund
- Robert Blaine, Senior Executive and Director, Center for Leadership, Education, Advancement and Development, National League of Cities
- Bradley Blower, Principal and Founder, Inclusive-Partners LLC
- Cheryl Bostick, SSBCI Program and Compliance Manager, Virginia Small Business Financing Authority
- Megan Carras, Chief Development Officer, Washington Area Community Investment Fund
- David Clower, President/Chief Executive Officer, National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC)
- Chuck Depew, Managing Senior Director, Grow America
- Dominique Fortune, Senior Director, Investor Relations, Nonprofit Finance Fund
- Shay Hawkins, President & CEO, Opportunity Funds Association
- Clarinda Landeros, Director of Public Policy, National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders
- Emil Liszniansky, Principal, Envision Group LLC
- Jarrod Loadholt, Partner, Ice Miller LLP
- Anna Mackley, Chief SSBCI Officer and Bond Program Manager, Virginia Small Business Financing Authority
- Daniel Marsh, President & CEO, Grow America
- Mac McNeil, NCRC CDF Executive Director, NCRC Community Development Fund
- Joshua Miller, Vice President, Accion Opportunity Fund
- Michael Phillips, Director of Public Policy, National Trust Community Investment Corporation
- Adrian Ruiz, Chief Investment Officer, RDF
- Melanie Stern, Lending Program Officer - LISC DC, Local Initiatives Support Corporation
- Jennifer Syx, Director of Economic Development, Envision Group LLC
- Ernesto Villarini, Managing Director, Community Development Venture Capital Alliance
- Kristopher Wahlers, Partner, Ice Miller LLP
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| Wed 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM |
Networking Break
Take a break, recharge, and connect informally with fellow attendees before the final sessions of the day.
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| Wed 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM |
SSBCI Coalition Meeting
Join us in person for this special edition of the SSBCI Coalition Meeting. This session will feature speakers who will share how they’ve structured their SSBCI programs to be evergreen—built to last beyond initial funding cycles and adaptable to future needs. You’ll walk away with practical insights and ideas you can take back to your own state. We’ll allow plenty of time for Q&A and discussion, so bring your questions and be ready to engage with your peers from across the country.
Moderator(s)
- Lori DeWine, Managing Director, Council of Development Finance Agencies
Speaker(s)
- Michele Abraham, State Director, South Carolina Small Business Development Centers
- Kristi Dula, Deputy Director, Office of Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Technology, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
- Shela Tobias-Daniel, Executive Director, California Pollution Control Financing Authority
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| Wed 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM |
SSBCI Networking
Following the SSBCI Coalition meeting, join us for an informal networking session. This is a great opportunity to continue the conversation, connect with peers, and share insights with others involved in SSBCI efforts. Whether you're new to the program or bring years of experience, this session offers a welcoming space to exchange perspectives, explore common challenges, and build relationships with fellow professionals committed to SSBCI’s long-term success.
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