Yoly Davila
Board Chair, SVP, Community Development SW Territory Executive, PNC
Yoly currently serves as SVP, Community Development SW Territory Executive at PNC. She supports the bank’s corporate responsibility objectives for community outreach, reputation building, and business development. She holds a master degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin and an undergraduate degree in political science from Williams College.
Luther Branham
Chair Elect, Head of Digital Lending and Account Origination Strategy, Fiserv
Luther is the Head of Digital Lending and Account Origination strategy for Fiserv, focused on scaling and rolling out product/capability for clients nationwide. Prior to Fiserv, Luther was President and Co-Founder of Fintech iLendx, LLC. Over his career, Luther has deployed over $20 billion in capital, managed portfolios for over $100 billion and raised more than $1 billion. Luther served in leadership roles with top institutions like Bank One where he was SVP National Product Management between 1984 and 1999, and USAA where he was SVP between 1999 and 2007. Additionally, Luther served on the Board and in a leadership/fundraising role with LiftFund (formerly ACCION, Texas) from 2004 to 2007. He has a BA in Political Science and Business from New Mexico State University. He is a graduate of the Consumer Bankers Association (CBA), Graduate School of Banking at the University of Virginia, and he completed the Master’s Leadership Program (MLP) in San Antonio in 2008. Luther is a veteran and supports veteran causes. He started his career in the military as an Air Defense Officer serving through the first Gulf War and has served on several veteran support organizations including Momentum Texas.
Nina Nelms
Board Vice Chair, Senior Vice President, Bank of America
Nina Nelms is a proven Senior Executive with 28 years of success across finance, entertainment, education, technology, and engineering. Leveraging extensive experience in financial operations and process improvement, she is a valuable asset for higher education, entertainment, or organizations looking for strategic insights, growth, cash flow, and mergers and acquisitions. Her broad areas of expertise include change management, high performance team building and development, cost-reduction strategy, supplier negotiations, purchasing and procurement, supplier diversity, Six Sigma, supply chain management, supplier sustainability, and new technology implementation, including robotics.
Throughout her executive career, Nina has held leadership positions at Bank of America, Dell, and The Coca-Cola Company. She has been responsible for creating enterprise-wide strategies for environmental, social responsibility and governance (ESG), robotics process automation (RPA), offshoring, and supplier diversity for Bank of America, generating $20M in first year cost-savings at Dell using global sourcing initiatives, leading a category management team with $8B of spend, about 20% of third-party spend for the entire global banking enterprise, driving 8 LOB category strategies to hit business objectives and delivering a supplier rationalization analysis reducing Dell’s supply base >90% with $11M savings.
Nina earned a B.A. in Economics from The University of Texas at Austin, an M.B.A. from University of Phoenix and is Certified Six Sigma. She also proudly serves as Lead Faculty Area Chair since 2012 and an Adjunct Professor since 2010 with University of Phoenix, School of Business, teaching graduate courses in Management, Supply Chain, Critical Thinking, and Organizational Behavior and Development. She coaches and mentors faculty and students in other official university roles.
Nina currently lives in Austin, Texas, where she is active with the Austin Community Volunteers, Junior Achievement, and National Black MBA Association’s Leaders of Tomorrow. She mentors others via Bank of America’s CFO Mentoring Program and LEAD. Nina is a member of the Order of Eastern Stars (OES), the National Association of Female Executives (NAFE), and is on the Advisory Board of Huston–Tillotson University’s School of Business and Technology.
Throughout her executive career, Nina has held leadership positions at Bank of America, Dell, and The Coca-Cola Company. She has been responsible for creating enterprise-wide strategies for environmental, social responsibility and governance (ESG), robotics process automation (RPA), offshoring, and supplier diversity for Bank of America, generating $20M in first year cost-savings at Dell using global sourcing initiatives, leading a category management team with $8B of spend, about 20% of third-party spend for the entire global banking enterprise, driving 8 LOB category strategies to hit business objectives and delivering a supplier rationalization analysis reducing Dell’s supply base >90% with $11M savings.
Nina earned a B.A. in Economics from The University of Texas at Austin, an M.B.A. from University of Phoenix and is Certified Six Sigma. She also proudly serves as Lead Faculty Area Chair since 2012 and an Adjunct Professor since 2010 with University of Phoenix, School of Business, teaching graduate courses in Management, Supply Chain, Critical Thinking, and Organizational Behavior and Development. She coaches and mentors faculty and students in other official university roles.
Nina currently lives in Austin, Texas, where she is active with the Austin Community Volunteers, Junior Achievement, and National Black MBA Association’s Leaders of Tomorrow. She mentors others via Bank of America’s CFO Mentoring Program and LEAD. Nina is a member of the Order of Eastern Stars (OES), the National Association of Female Executives (NAFE), and is on the Advisory Board of Huston–Tillotson University’s School of Business and Technology.
Brian A. Hall
Vice Chair, Attorney, Traverse Legal PLC
Brian A. Hall is a member of Traverse Legal, PLC and the managing partner of its Austin, Texas office, doing business as Hall Law. He has represented enterprise Internet and technology companies, startups and brand owners throughout the world with their Intellectual Property, Internet Law, including such areas as digital and social media, advertising and promotions, privacy and data matters, and Business Law issues. Brian regularly advises clients on the acquisition of, enforcement of, licensing and monetization of intellectual property, and he has extensive experience with countless multi-million dollar corporate transactions involving an entity's business-critical IP. Brian has served as outside general counsel, as well as in-house counsel in a secondment role, to private, venture backed companies, public companies and venture capital funds. Brian has also litigated cases across the United States involving trademark, domain name, copyright, software trade secret, online defamation and privacy/personal rights issues.
He is a regular author and speaker on legal topics of particular interest to technology companies given his background as an IT Consultant with the global IT firm Accenture. Brian has provided trademark legal commentary on Fox 7 News (Austin), authored Coach’s Corner for foundingAUSTIN and the Founders’ Friday blog series, and presented CLE on a variety of topics.
Brian has been chosen by his peers as a Rising Star in Intellectual Property, as rated by SuperLawyers, for the years 2010-2017. Brian is also a limited partner in StartupRunner, a seed stage venture capital fund, an angel investor with the Central Texas Angel Network (CTAN) and regularly mentors and advises entities at all stages of the startup ecosystem. He is an active member of EO Austin and also is a member of the Steering Committee for the Global Entrepreneurial Bar Association. He has served as President of the Michigan State University College of Law AA Board of Directors and on the United Way Board.
He is a regular author and speaker on legal topics of particular interest to technology companies given his background as an IT Consultant with the global IT firm Accenture. Brian has provided trademark legal commentary on Fox 7 News (Austin), authored Coach’s Corner for foundingAUSTIN and the Founders’ Friday blog series, and presented CLE on a variety of topics.
Brian has been chosen by his peers as a Rising Star in Intellectual Property, as rated by SuperLawyers, for the years 2010-2017. Brian is also a limited partner in StartupRunner, a seed stage venture capital fund, an angel investor with the Central Texas Angel Network (CTAN) and regularly mentors and advises entities at all stages of the startup ecosystem. He is an active member of EO Austin and also is a member of the Steering Committee for the Global Entrepreneurial Bar Association. He has served as President of the Michigan State University College of Law AA Board of Directors and on the United Way Board.
Cecilia Castelo
Vice President, Retail Banking, Woodforest National Bank
Cecilia Castelo’s responsibilities encompass service experience, small business and community development, regulatory compliance, sales, and employee performance management of 34 Woodforest branches throughout the greater Austin and San Antonio, TX markets.
Castelo joined Woodforest in 2001 as a retail banker in Sequin, TX. She has successfully managed the bank’s Converse, TX and Seguin, TX branches, as well as the DeZavala, TX branch, San Antonio’s flagship 24 hour location for Woodforest. Castelo was promoted to Assistant Vice President in 2008 and in 2011 she was promoted to Regional Manager for the San Antonio area. In 2017 Castel was promoted to Vice President of Retail Banking.
Castelo is a graduate of the Bank Operations Institute of Texas and currently serves on the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Small Business Committee. Castelo is passionate about making a difference in the community, often volunteering and providing support in the areas of affordable housing, economic development, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship.
Castelo joined Woodforest in 2001 as a retail banker in Sequin, TX. She has successfully managed the bank’s Converse, TX and Seguin, TX branches, as well as the DeZavala, TX branch, San Antonio’s flagship 24 hour location for Woodforest. Castelo was promoted to Assistant Vice President in 2008 and in 2011 she was promoted to Regional Manager for the San Antonio area. In 2017 Castel was promoted to Vice President of Retail Banking.
Castelo is a graduate of the Bank Operations Institute of Texas and currently serves on the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Small Business Committee. Castelo is passionate about making a difference in the community, often volunteering and providing support in the areas of affordable housing, economic development, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship.
John Burer
Senior Vice President – Austin Commercial Banking
With over 15 years of financial services experience, John has worked across multiple industry sectors and held roles in investment banking, leveraged finance, structured finance and middle market banking.
John began his career with Goldman Sachs’ NRG Investment Banking group in New York. Subsequently, John has worked in Investment Banking with Raymond James, Leverage Finance with ORIX, Structured Lending with SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Capital Markets with Regions Financial Corp and Commercial Banking with both BBVA Compass and Regions Bank in the Austin market.
John is currently based in Austin and serves middle market clients across industry sectors in the Central Texas region. Outside of his role in banking, John serves on the finance committee for Waterloo Greenway, supports biodiversity and in situ conservation efforts through The Nature Conservancy and Turtle Conservancy and raises endangered African tortoises with his wife and three children in Austin.
John has been external member of PeopleFund’s Portfolio Quality Committee since October 2020.
John began his career with Goldman Sachs’ NRG Investment Banking group in New York. Subsequently, John has worked in Investment Banking with Raymond James, Leverage Finance with ORIX, Structured Lending with SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Capital Markets with Regions Financial Corp and Commercial Banking with both BBVA Compass and Regions Bank in the Austin market.
John is currently based in Austin and serves middle market clients across industry sectors in the Central Texas region. Outside of his role in banking, John serves on the finance committee for Waterloo Greenway, supports biodiversity and in situ conservation efforts through The Nature Conservancy and Turtle Conservancy and raises endangered African tortoises with his wife and three children in Austin.
John has been external member of PeopleFund’s Portfolio Quality Committee since October 2020.
Larry Miller
Former Executive Vice President, Texas Bank, Consultant, L. Miller & Associates
Larry Miller started his lending career as a loan officer with the SBA. Larry was promoted to the SBA Regional Financial Director position in 1992 and accepted the Deputy Directors position for Dallas/Ft Worth District Office in 1996. In 2000 Larry was recruited to be the Regional Manager for Banco Popular a position that he held until 2003 when he accepted a position with Prosper Bank as its EVP. Prosper Bank was eventually purchased by Texas Bank for which Larry continued as the EVP. Larry retired from Texas Bank in December 2017 and started his own consulting company, L Miller and Associates. Larry currently consults with his old employer, Texas Bank
Jack Nelson
CEO, Skimmer, Inc.
Jack Nelson is a successful entrepreneur across several different industries. He is currently CEO of Skimmer, Inc. the leading SaaS provider for the swimming pool and spa industry. Prior to that, Jack was CEO and co-founder of Propel Financial Services, a specialty finance company focused on financing real estate taxes. Jack led Propel from inception through three different sales of the company, including one to a public company. Propel was repeatedly recognized in one of the Top Places to Work under Jack’s leadership. From 2008 to 2012, Jack also built and ran his own law firm. Jack has a J.D. from The University of Chicago School of Law and a BBA (Finance/Business Honors) and a BA (Plan II Liberal Arts) from the University of Texas at Austin. Jack has served on leadership positions for St. Andrew’s School, Generation Serve, The University of Texas, and the University of Chicago School of Law.
Anna Sanchez
Senior Vice President of the Commercial Banking Group at Truist
Anna Sanchez is a native of Austin and a 33-year financial services industry veteran. Most of her career has been in the Business Banking and Commercial Banking segments. Anna currently serves as Senior Vice President of the Commercial Banking Group at Truist.
Anna gives back to the community by serving as Vice Chair for the Ann Richards School Foundation, Board Secretary for PeopleFund, Board Secretary for Texas Pride Impact Foundation and is a board member for the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber Foundation.
Anna graduated magna cum laude from St. Edwards University with a BBA in Accounting. She was the 2002 recipient for the St. Edwards University President Award for her academic achievement and community service. She is also a 2016 graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School and in 2020, she earned a Master of Science in Leadership and Change.
Anna is married and has two West Highland terrier fur babies. She enjoys outdoor activities such as cross fit, running, and healthy eating.
Anna gives back to the community by serving as Vice Chair for the Ann Richards School Foundation, Board Secretary for PeopleFund, Board Secretary for Texas Pride Impact Foundation and is a board member for the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber Foundation.
Anna graduated magna cum laude from St. Edwards University with a BBA in Accounting. She was the 2002 recipient for the St. Edwards University President Award for her academic achievement and community service. She is also a 2016 graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School and in 2020, she earned a Master of Science in Leadership and Change.
Anna is married and has two West Highland terrier fur babies. She enjoys outdoor activities such as cross fit, running, and healthy eating.
Dorothy Cleaves
Sr. Vice President, Truist
Dorothy L. Cleaves is senior vice president and managing
director of partnerships and services for the Southeast
markets for CRA/Community Development at Truist. She
manages a team of community development managers in a
six-state area who is responsible for developing and
executing on Truist’s Community Reinvestment Act lending,
investments, and services objective. She has more than 30
years of financial services experience and serves on numerous boards that support housing, small businesses access to capital, healthcare, and higher education.
director of partnerships and services for the Southeast
markets for CRA/Community Development at Truist. She
manages a team of community development managers in a
six-state area who is responsible for developing and
executing on Truist’s Community Reinvestment Act lending,
investments, and services objective. She has more than 30
years of financial services experience and serves on numerous boards that support housing, small businesses access to capital, healthcare, and higher education.
Neha Shah
Director, Head of Community Development Lending, Charles Schwab
Neha Shah has committed her career to catalyzing impact capital in the pursuit of shifting economic power to underestimated communities. She currently heads up Charles Schwab Bank’s Community Development Lending program, focusing on supporting the capital needs of Community Development Financial Institution in the Western States. Prior to Charles Schwab Bank, Ms. Shah worked in various roles at Century Housing and JP Morgan Chase financing affordable housing projects throughout California. Ms. Shah earned her Bachelor’s in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles and her Master’s in Urban Planning from New York University. She lives in her native town of Los Angeles with her husband and son.
Gustavo Lasala
President & CEO, PeopleFund
Gustavo is a seasoned microfinance practitioner passionate about advancing opportunities for underserved communities through capital. Prior to becoming President and CEO of PeopleFund he held leadership positions with top-tier community lenders where he was instrumental in their growth at a national level. Highlights of his career include: the development of LiftFund’s MMS - an early “lending as a service” platform tailored to microlending in the US; the financial engineering of a $30M asset purchase agreement between LiftFund and Citibank - a first in US microlending; the expansion of Oportun (from 35 to 85 stores) where he was directly responsible for the production of 20,000 loans per month; he redefined the CFO role for Opportunity Fund and put together credit facilities that helped the organization become the largest non-profit microlender in US. Most recently he co-founded and managed Listo, an organization providing financial products and services to thousands in California. Gustavo has served on the boards of Opportunity Finance Network, Foundation for Women and School of Excellence - San Antonio and holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin.
Eugene Sepulveda
Chair Emeritus, CEO of the Entrepreneurs Foundation, CEO & Co-Founder of Culturati, and advisor to Capital Factory