As a community lender, we already use business as a force for good. As a B Corp, we are inspired to constantly strive to be better—better for our communities, our staff, our borrowers, and the environment.
To reinforce these efforts, we created the B Committee — comprised of Clearinghouse CDFI employees at all levels. The B Team ensures that our B Corp values remain strong, while also engaging and empowering our employees to help “B the Change”.
Meet the 2021 Clearinghouse CDFI B Committee:
Mai Ha
Two bucket list items: Travel…somewhere…anywhere; Live/work overseas
Fave weekend activity: Snuggling with my two munchkins and hubby in the morning
Two social issues: Child hunger; Modern day slavery
Drive / Motivation: My family and my faith
Fave thing about CCDFI? Flexibility and understanding of working/life balance
Fave book(s) / movie(s): Pride and Prejudice
Heroes: Every single person who fights to break barriers
Work Style: Integrator
Night in or out: I have no choice…night in! =)
Morning Bird or Night Owl: Night owl
Kristy Ollendorff
Why did you join B Committee?
I believe in the power of CCDFI to strive to be better in how they incorporate themselves into their environment and create a professional atmosphere where new ideas are welcomed and integrated when possible.
Name two social issues that interest you right now:
The subtleties of racial injustice – how white America plays a role without knowing it
Plastic waste – and the disposable society we live in
Share something that inspired you this year.
How incredibly resilient and adaptable we can be if forced and how many more smiles and friendly exchanges I get from people these days. It is a welcome change from the impatience of “normal” life.
Natasa Radosavljevic
Two bucket list items: Speak another language; Convert my garage into a foster home for kittens
Fave weekend activity: Playing soccer
Two social issues: Environmental Issues; Women Equality
Drive / Motivation: My family and challenging myself to do better each day
Fave thing about CCDFI? Being able to work with like-minded individuals with the same goal to help others
Fave book(s) / movie(s): All the Marvel Movies & Star Wars!
Heroes: My mom and dad
Work Style: Pioneer
Night in or out: Night OUT, Are You Kidding?
Morning Bird or Night Owl: Night Owl: Hooooooooot
Amanda Virrey
Two bucket list items: Vacation in Bora Bora; Learn to play an instrument
Fave weekend activity: Spending time with my family and Shiloh!
Two social issues: Gender Equality; Renewable Energy
Drive / Motivation: Doing my part to make this world a better place for Nieces to grow up in
Fave thing about CCDFI: The impactful projects & our creative team
Fave book(s) / movie(s): Falling Up by Shel Silverstein; Jumanji
Heroes: My Dad – he’s always there to motivate, challenge and inspire me!
Work Style: Guardian
Night in or out: Night OUT, Are You Kidding?
Morning Bird or Night Owl: Night Owl: Hooooooooot
Alanna Smith
Why did you join B Committee?
I believe in using business for good. I’m a B Committee member to feed my soul and to contribute/grow these company initiatives.
Name two social issues that interest you right now:
Cystinosis Awareness/Research
Equal Opportunity for Women/Girls
Share something that inspired you this year.
The CDFI Women’s Network
Frontline workers who kept our country running this past year
Anything else you’d like to add?
It is a pleasure collaborating with our B Committee members. Everyone brings a unique strength and perspective.
Lawrence Chavez
Two bucket list items: Learn to play the piano; Watch a baseball game in all 30 MLB stadiums
Fave weekend activity: Hiking
Two social issues: Affordable Housing; Financial Literacy
Drive / Motivation: Continuous improvement in both my personal and professional life
Fave thing about CCDFI? Strong alignment of personal values & CCDFI company values
Fave book(s) / movie(s): Mindset by Carol Dweck (book); The Shawshank Redemption (movie)
Heroes: I have always admired Steve Jobs’ entrepreneur skills and vision.
Work Style: Guardian
Night in or out: Night In All the Way!
Morning Bird or Night Owl: Morning Bird: Chirp, chirp.
Gabriella Brusseau
Why did you join B Committee?
To try something new!
Name two social issues that interest you right now:
Human Trafficking
Poverty
Share something that inspired you this year.
The CDFI Women’s Network
Anything else you’d like to add?
This is a great team with amazing ideas!
Melissa Johnson
Two bucket list items: Start a non-profit organization; Travel the world
Fave weekend activity: Hanging out at the beach
Two social issues: Gender Equality; Access to Health Care; the Climate Crisis
Drive / Motivation: Increasing efficiency; Making a difference in the world
Fave thing about CCDFI? Our Mission; The Staff
Fave book(s) / movie(s): Rich Dad Poor Dad, any Disney movie
Heroes: The Obamas, Suzy Batiz
Work Style: Integrator
Night in or out: Night in!
Morning Bird or Night Owl: Neither!
Brian Sagert
Why did you join B Committee?
I joined the B Committee to contribute to the social impacts CCDFI creates in the communities we serve.
Name two social issues that interest you right now:
Increasing Minority Small Business Ownership
Increasing Access to Credit and Equity
Share something that inspired you this year.
Every day is a gift!
Anything else you’d like to add?
A new era is upon us all both personally and professionally and I feel there are opportunities to pioneer impactful change and growth in both arenas.
Allie Weber
Why did you join B Committee?
My dad will tell you that I have always wanted to save the world from everything. I see the B Committee as another opportunity for me to make an impact and help drive positive change within our company and those affected by our decisions.
Name two social issues that interest you right now:
Gender Equality
Environmental Issues
Share something that inspired you this year.
Those who went out of their way to help others get by and survive during the pandemic really revived my faith in humanity.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Let’s go Horned Frogs!
Susan Montoya
Why did you join B Committee?
At Clearinghouse, we take our responsibility as a B Corp seriously. I want to be a part of ensuring we honor our commitment to ‘B the Change!’
Name two social issues that interest you right now:
Financial Literacy — especially to vulnerable populations within our communities.
Mental Illness
Share something that inspired you this year.
Struggles in life are inevitable. How we persevere and demonstrate strength and grace through difficult challenges defines our character. I remind myself this everyday!
Anything else you’d like to add?
I’m looking forward to generating creative ideas and exploring new opportunities with our B Committee members!