The theme of this year’s OFN Conference, Lending Where It Counts, speaks to me in a fundamental way. It represents how much the work of CDFIs matters. Providing capital to a rural hospital matters to the patients that depend on it for care. Lending to a small business matters to the owner who dreams big, and to her employees who now have a job that can support their livelihood. Financing affordable housing matters, since it provides a home to those who otherwise may not have one.

During the conference I saw evidence of this theme everywhere, starting with the diverse CDFIs that attended. They encompassed a breadth of missions, geographies and impact. Other members of the community, such as funders/bankers, policymakers, consultants and technology partners, were also represented. It was good to hear from OFN, attend sessions hosted by various experts in their fields, and learn about the latest technologies in the expo hall. In tune with the theme of Lending Where It Counts, we listened to groups dedicated to serving native communities, minorities, and veterans, among others. And I must highlight the CDFI Women’s Network, which is developing critical programming around negotiation and mentoring that will benefit women in this industry and beyond.

I heard the stories of people who made a difference. None were more well-known than President Bill Clinton, who gave a rousing speech on the history of the CDFI movement. There were other voices too, impactful in their own way. Robin Danner, Founder of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, and Noel Poyo, Executive Director of the NALCAB, urging us all to continue our work towards equal opportunity. Lisa Mensah, the President and CEO of OFN, continues to be an inspiration. Not to mention the hundreds of speakers in the various sessions, and the attendees who brought their unique perspectives to every discussion.

The value of the conference was not only to highlight how our work counts, but also to connect us. We challenge ourselves daily to achieve more for our clients, but within our offices it is easy to forget that we are part of something larger. The OFN conference showed us over multiple days that our collective whole is much greater than the sum of its parts – that we are all part of a powerful movement. Every day CDFIs are making a difference in their communities, and that work matters.

 

 

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