President and CEO
Gary oversees the overall mission and direction of PeopleFund as its Chief Executive Officer and President. He came to PeopleFund from ACCION Texas where he served as Chief Operating Officer. While there, he quadrupled the outstanding loan portfolio to over $30 million – 86 percent to minority-owned businesses, over half women-owned. His outreach to public and private partners financed this growth and the development of new products, including SBA 504 loans. Previously, Gary headed a major division of a private company and held other senior executive positions responsible for billions in capital investment and tens of thousands of personnel. A retired Air Force Colonel, Gary Lindner is a graduate of the Air Force Academy with a Masters’ degree in Political Science from Auburn University. He has served on numerous local, regional and national non-profit boards.
Director of Lending
Lesa is the Director of Lending at People Fund. She is responsible for developing new client relationships, structuring loans to fit each client, and representing PeopleFund’s mission in the community. Prior to joining PeopleFund, she worked as a small business lender in the banking industry. Lesa has over 30 years of financial industry experience supporting both consumer and small business clients at national and regional banks. Lesa has lived in the Austin area for nearly 20 years and is dedicated to developing long-term client relationships.
Director of Development and Communications
Amber joined the Peoplefund Team in June 2012. In her role as Director of Development and Communications, Amber is responsible for PeopleFund’s comprehensive development strategy, including managing donor relations, governing community investment, fundraising and grant writing. She also oversees the organization’s external messaging, public relations, and online presence. Originally from Pennsylvania, Amber relocated to Austin to complete her degrees in History and Government from the University of Texas. Prior to joining the PeopleFund, Amber created and directed the Texas Stars Foundation, as well as managed volunteer and youth services for the American Red Cross.
Director of Accounting and Finance
As Director of Accounting and Finance, Julia is responsible for monitoring all internal financial and accounting controls, provides financial modeling and analysis experience to the Executive Team and program staff. Julia has twenty years of non-profit accounting and finance experience. She began her career at KPMG in Dallas and worked as an Audit Manager for non-profit engagements. Additionally, she has served as Director of Finance for several non-profit agencies. Julia received her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and an MBA (Accounting Emphasis) from Texas Tech University.
Director of Underwriting
Matthew is responsible for analyzing each loan request for associated risk and compliance with internal credit policy. Prior to joining PeopleFund, Matthew worked as an underwriter in the C&I Middle Market Group at Regions Bank. He has also held administrative, operations analyst, and portfolio management positions in commercial lending and consumer real estate lending at Extraco Banks in Waco, Texas where he was responsible for developing loan policies for Home Equity Lending. Matthew received his Bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and an MBA from Tarleton State University.
Office Manager
Shay joined the PeopleFund staff in April 2010 and has over 12 years of administrative and managerial experience. Shay earned a Bachelor’s degree from University of Wisconsin at Madison and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. Throughout her career she has volunteered with several non-profit organizations, and currently divides her time between her budding psychotherapy practice and providing support to PeopleFund’s growing programs and services.
Business Assistance & Education Manager
As the Business Assistance & Education Manager, Laurie oversees the development of PeopleFund’s Business Assistance & Education Program, which includes workshop and volunteer coordination, curriculum development, the Junior Entrepreneur Track (JET) Program, and facilitating access to resources. Laurie is a native Austinite and passionate about serving the community and supporting local businesses. Laurie earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Texas State University and prior to joining PeopleFund, worked in event management for the Texas Association of School Boards. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Austin affiliate of Dress for Success.
Portfolio and Risk Assessment Manager
Amy manages the existing loan portfolio and overall credit processes. Prior to joining PeopleFund, she was with ACCION Texas-Louisiana as a Loan Officer covering the Greater Austin region. Amy also has several years of experience in credit underwriting and portfolio management in commercial middle market and commercial real estate. Previously she served as a Senior Credit Underwriter in the C&I Middle Market Group at Regions Bank. She also has held credit analyst and portfolio manager positions with TCF Bank and Fifth Third Bank in Detroit, Mich. Amy received her Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a Master’s degree in Economics from Walsh College.
Loan Administrator
As Loan Administrator, Ardina supports the lending team in assessing best practices and products for PeopleFund’s clients. Previously, Ardina held the title of the Economic Development Manager for the City of Fort Worth’s Housing and Economic Development Department where she oversaw the City’s incentive programs, including tax abatement, economic development program grants, enterprise zones, public improvement districts, and tax increment financing. She was with the City of Fort Worth for more than twelve years and contributed to the creation of eight of the City’s 11 active tax increment financing districts and negotiated several tax abatement and economic development program agreements. Ardina graduated with honors, earning a Bachelor’s degree and an MBA from Tarleton State University, a part of the Texas A&M University System. She is a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) through the National Development Council. She has served in many non-profit organizations as a member or Board member.
Loan Processor
As Loan Processor, Christine assists the lending team and potential clients with their financing needs. Her responsibilities include maintaining and tracking the loan pipeline, reviewing and preparing necessary loan documentation for approval and ensuring effective communication between clients and staff. Christine has extensive banking experience, both on the commercial and retail side, including tenure at Comerica Bank and Chase Bank. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Park University and is fluent in Spanish. She also volunteers to help educate the Latino community in banking and finance to help them meet their financial goals and answers questions related to credit, buying a home and identity theft.
Loan Operations Specialist
As Loan Operations Specialist, Jennifer assists the lending team and clients throughout the loan process. Her primary responsibilities include supporting the Director of Lending, loan administration and portfolio risk management. Jennifer has over 28 years of experience in field of banking and bookkeeping and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration-Finance from Texas A&I University which is now known as Texas A&M at Kingsville.
Underwriter
David is an underwriter and credit review source for PeopleFund. He is responsible for analyzing each loan request for associated risk and compliance with internal credit policy. Prior to joining PeopleFund, David established the small business underwriting department at Guaranty Bank, co-managed an in-house mutual fund, with associated private accounts, for Fifth-Third Bank in Cincinnati, and helped establish the small business underwriting group at KeyBank. While at KeyBank, David was also involved in a formalized credit training program. David holds a Bachelor’s degree from Hardin-Simmons University and an MBA from Cleveland State University.
Underwriter
Paul is responsible for underwriting loan requests for associated risk and compliance with internal credit policy. Prior to joining PeopleFund, Paul was a credit analyst with PlainsCapital Bank in Austin where he analyzed credits across many industries including real estate, healthcare, automotive, legal and financial services. Paul spent some time with Comerica Bank in Dallas working for the bank’s Middle Market C&I lending group and also has a background in commercial real estate transactions. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from St. Edwards University in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance.
Loan Officer
Allie is a Loan Officer at PeopleFund. She introduces new clients to PeopleFund and guides them through the loan process. The addition of her talents to the PeopleFund team is helping to grow new client relationships across Texas. Allie has a background in project management and economic development. Prior to joining PeopleFund, she worked with Kiva as a Kiva Fellow in the Philippines and as an intern in San Francisco. Allie graduated from Wellesley College with a major in International Relations and a minor in Middle Eastern Studies.
Loan Officer – Dallas
Mari joined the PeopleFund in April 2012. As Loan Officer, she is responsible for introducing new clients to PeopleFund and working with them throughout the loan process. Mari’s addition to the PeopleFund team is helping grow new client relationships in the newly acquired Dallas-Ft. Worth office. Mari has over 10 years of nonprofit experience in areas such as management, grantmaking, microlending, education & prevention initiatives, and consulting.
Loan Officer – Houston
Sandra joined the PeopleFund team in April 2012. As a Loan Officer, she is responsible for introducing new clients to PeopleFund and guiding them through the loan process. Sandra’s presence in Houston is helping grow new relationships across Texas. Sandra is passionate about elevating the underserved, and has more than a decade of experience in accounting and administration.
Customer Service Representative – Dallas
Erika joined the PeopleFund team in October 2012 as the Customer Service Representative for the Dallas region. She is responsible for taking care of client inquiries and requests. Originally from Oklahoma, Erika relocated to Texas for new career opportunities. Before coming to PeopleFund, she worked for Reconciliation Outreach, a non-profit organization in East Dallas. Her diverse background includes experience in grantwriting, event planning, and a significant amount of customer service support. Erika has a passion for helping the underserved realize their potential.
Development & Communications Intern
Miku joined as the Development and Communications Intern in September 2012. She graduated this past May from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Global Studies and Liberal Arts Honors. She currently works as a Social Media Coordinator for an author in Japan in addition to her role at Peoplefund. Prior to joining Peoplefund, she interned at several non-profits, including the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce, Active Life Movement, and HOPE International Agency-Japan.
Development & Communications Intern
Jadeline joined the PeopleFund team in February 2013 as a Development and Communications intern. She is currently a senior at the University of Texas and will receive her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Urban Studies in May 2013. Prior to her work with PeopleFund, she held multiple management and administrative positions with College Houses, a non-profit student housing cooperative owned and managed by its student residents.
Community Outreach Coordinator
Katherine (Kat) Pratt is an AmeriCorps VISTA who joined PeopleFund in February of 2013. As an outreach coordinator Kat assists the Development team with social media engagement, event planning, donor relations, and grant writing. She served as a Development Intern with the American Red Cross of Central Texas after graduating from Texas State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology. Growing up in a military family Kat moved frequently, but eventually found her way to Texas and Austin has been her home for eight years.
Development & Finance Intern
Patricia joined Peoplefund in March 2013 as a Development and Finance intern. She graduated in December 2012 from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a minor in Business Administration. Prior to joining Peoplefund, she assisted a UT professor with her research about the socioeconomic returns in education in developing countries and volunteered in other organizations, such as Latinitas, Candlelighters, and the American Cancer Society.
Development & Finance Intern
While earning his Bachelor Degree in Healthcare Administration with emphases in Entrepreneurship and Business, Dominic started and ran two businesses that helped college students earn money while attending school. “Achieve large profits with minimal risk” is his business philosophy. He won 3rd place in an international business competition in a battle of wits which comprised hundreds of university’s and team’s across the globe. Dominic has a thirst for knowledge in a wide range of subjects, and studies them often to apply that knowledge in his personal and professional life in order to grow.
Contractor – Austin
Becca joined the PeopleFund team in April 2013 as a contractor to support the lending team. Originally from Orlando, FL, she moved to Austin in the summer of 2012. Becca graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Family, Youth and Community Sciences in May 2012. Prior to joining PeopleFund, Becca worked as an AmeriCorps VISTA as a volunteer coordinator. Becca also has experience in development, event planning and curriculum development.
