Making connections through Board growth, transitions
New Board members bring diverse skills to CDFI Friendly South Bend
CDFI Friendly South Bend’s Board of Directors during a Summer 2022 retreat and training workshop.
It’s our mission to connect people to the capital they need to build up South Bend. That’s why CDFI Friendly South Bend is pleased to be growing our Board of Directors into a team of experienced, community-minded connectors who will move that mission forward.
“We have a depth and breadth of experience - everything from finance and lending experience, to small business owners, to community leaders who know the people we serve,” says Executive Director Sam Centellas. “We are really, really happy to be where we are, and to have such a talented board behind this critical community building work.”
While we are expressing our gratitude to four Board members who have completed their Board service in 2022, CFSB is also excited to welcome seven new Directors to our Board.
New Board Members
Ryan Bell is Vice President and Small Business Market Manager at 1st Source Bank. Previously an AVP over 1st Source’s Retail Business Banking Group, Bell brings 10 years of experience and passion for supporting small businesses. As a new Board member, Bell wants “to apply my experience and understanding of banking to further the access to capital to those in and around South Bend,” he says.
Obstetrician Carlos Bolden, MD, FACOG is the Vice Chairman of Memorial Hospital of South Bend’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Also a Teaching Physician, Dr. Bolden was awarded Teacher of the Year at Memorial’s Family Medicine Residency in 2019. Dr. Bolden is a member of 100 Black Men of Greater South Bend.
Lori Hiscock is a Senior Loan Officer with Ruoff Mortgage. Also an owner of South Bend rental properties, she brings extensive experience in real estate to her CFSB Board service. Hiscock, who has held a number of volunteer roles in the South Bend area, understands this community’s housing needs and joined the Board to help CFSB better understand and meet those needs.
Associate Teaching Professor Angela Logan, Ph.D. is the Academic Director of the Master of Nonprofit Administration in Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business. Dr. Logan, whose research focuses on the intersection of gender, race, and nonprofit and philanthropic leadership, is also a trained facilitator of Anti-Racism Study Circles. CFSB especially notes Dr. Logan’s strong role in the community as a mentor to many women and students of color. Her desire to lift her community makes Dr. Logan a force for good and a valued addition to CFSB’s Board.
There aren’t many people in South Bend’s community development circles who don’t know Antonius Northern, Inclusion Project Manager with the City of South Bend. Previously an Engagement Specialist with the City’s Economic Empowerment and Engagement team, Antonius has also served since 2011 as the Executive Director of nPOWER southbend, a nonprofit that helps local youth unlock their potential to become entrepreneurs. His community engagement includes working with the Civil Rights Heritage Center, South Bend Community Schools, NAACP, IUSB, voters, and other community stakeholders – experiences which he says “provided me an incredible motivation and perception of how to re-learn, restore, and rebuild.”
Entrepreneur Marcus Northern is the owner of Kennedy ExpressLine Trucking. Also an owner of real estate, Marcus is proud to have – as he says – forged his own path forward. Marcus has joined CFSB’s Board to share his experiences, help others overcome barriers, and empower South Benders to grow the lives and community they wish for.
Bryan Olund is Assistant Vice President for Small Business Banking at Centier Bank. Previously a commercial credit analyst for MutualBank, Olund enjoys helping small business owners secure their financial futures and brings a deep understanding of how traditional banking overlaps with CFSB’s mission. “When a customer’s project has a greater-community impact outside of their business, it is even more rewarding,” says Olund. “The work of CFSB is directly in line with my values of community improvement and financial empowerment.”
Board Transitions
CDFI Friendly South Bend would also like to thank these individuals who have transitioned away from CFSB Board service in 2022:
Angelina Billo, who was Board Treasurer, worked for the City of South Bend and has moved to Rolla, Missouri. We will remember Angelina for her quick mind, infallible accuracy, and good judgement during our start up phase.
Karl King, a respected civic leader, and member of the South Bend Hall of Fame, brought his business acumen and financial insights to the board. He used his extensive experience and network to help us to develop solid investment and lending policies.
Hedy Robinson was appointed by the Mayor and served as an official city representative to the board (a role now held by Antonius Northern). Hedy’s long experience with financial counseling of homeowners and knowledge of local resources helped us to develop a realistic perspective for our future housing work.
Ramal Taylor, our former Board President, is focusing on family and her businesses and stepping down. Ramal was an excellent example of a successful local entrepreneur, a local small business champion, and was a positive public representative for the group.
We thank these individuals for their service and wish them well in their future activities.
Bright Future
CFSB is excited about the possibilities that our current Board promises to help us realize. We are looking forward to our next chapter of growth, and to seeing what new connections we can make to move South Bend’s community development forward.
