Joel Chrisco
Program Supervisor, International Rescue Committee (IRC) - San Diego

Joel has overseen the IRC’s Microenterprise Program in San Diego since May 2008. His primary responsibilities include loan packaging and underwriting, client outreach and recruitment, business counseling, and program management. Joel has held various positions with the IRC, including Financial Literacy Coordinator and Micro-Lending Coordinator. He also has experience working with family owned small businesses. www.theirc.org/sandiego

Rob Gailey
Associate Professor, Point Loma Nazarene University

Rob teaches in the International Development Studies major at Point Loma Nazarene University and serves as the faculty advisor to PLNU’s Microfinance Club. As Director of the Center for International Development, he is actively engaged in bringing awareness and solutions on social issues that impact our global economy. Rob also teaches a Microfinance 101 course in partnership with the San Diego Microfinance Alliance.
www.pointloma.edu/ArmenianCenter.htm

Kaitlan Hammock

Community Loan Officer

Kaitlan Hammock has been with CDC Small Business Finance since 2011, helping small business owners obtain up to $250,000 in financing. With her diverse background in domestic microfinance, business lending, non-profit retail operations and international development, Ms. Hammock brings unique perspective on economic development, focusing on sustainable assistance. Holding a degree in Anthropology, she also worked with youth in a slum area within Nairobi, Kenya, and was later employed as a social worker. Ms. Hammock is proficient in two languages and enjoys opportunities to utilize her skills and experiences in economic development. www.cdcloans.com

Murugi Kenyatta

Executive Director, Foundation For Women

Murugi serves as the Executive Director of Foundation for Women (FFW) in San Diego. Her position is key in the linking of member volunteers, internal staff, board members, stakeholders and local organizations. She is responsible for overseeing the organizational operations and program development. Murugi is committed to the Foundation’s mission of eliminating global poverty through microcredit. Born and raised in Kenya, Murugi knows firsthand the power and effectiveness of microcredit and brings her personal experience and passion to the mission. She has seen the positive impact of microcredit on women and its role in community development in Kenya. www.foundationforwomen.org

Susan Lamping
Senior Community Loan Officer, CDC Small Business Finance

Susan Lamping is the Senior Community Loan Officer at CDC Small Business Finance. She is one of the founding members of the Microfinance Alliance and has worked at the CDC for the last eight years.

For more information visit www.cdcloans.com.

Elizabeth Makee
Executive Director, ACCION San Diego

Elizabeth has been working with ACCION San Diego for 6 years in marketing, operations and management. She initially learned about microfinance on the international side researching ACCION International, a partner affiliate of ACCION San Diego who works in countries all across the world. She is passionate about the impact microfinance has on entrepreneurs, their families and communities and she was part of the team who founded the San Diego Microfinance Alliance 2.5 years ago. www.accionsandiego.org

Chris Nayve
Director of the Center for Community Service-Learning
University of San Diego (USD)

Chris has been at USD since 1996 and his service-learning, community development, and social responsibility background includes microfinance, fair trade, corporate social responsibility, developing civil rights and social justice education, and facilitating diversity and inclusion trainings. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/csl.

Nate Ritter
Owner, Perfect Space

Nate Ritter is a San Diego business owner who sees micro-finance, specifically micro-lending, as an opportunity to enable and empower the less fortunate who have the motivation to change their circumstances. Nate is the resident internet/web advisor to the SDMFA with more than 15 years experience to utilize. www.perfectspace.com

Elisa Sabatini
Executive Director, VIA International

Elisa Sabatini serves as Executive Director for Via International. Formerly with World SHARE, she helped create an autonomous SHARE organization in Guatemala, develop sustainable food distribution in Mexico and an agricultural loan fund. At Via International she provides strategic direction, creates new programs, and secures all resources for activities in Mexico, Guatemala, the United States and Canada. Program areas include family health, micro-finance, sustainable agriculture, community organizing and development education. In 2003, the VolunTours “social business” joined the family of Via programs. www.viainternational.org

Travis Vaughan
CDC Small Business Finance

Travis Vaughan is a Program Manager with Edify and is based out of the Dominican Republic. In the past Travis worked at CDC Small Business Finance helping small business owners get the financing they need to begin or grow their small business. Travis works in the microlending field in an effort to bring about economic justice and opportunity to all. He is also the co-founder of the San Diego Microfinance Alliance. Travis received a degree in business administration from Point Loma Nazarene University in 2008 with a concentration in International Development.

For more information visit www.cdcloans.com.