Board

Luther is Co-founder and Managing Partner at Access Capital Technologies (ACT), an Austin-based company specializing in software and qualification tools for the Microfinance and Nonprofit industries. He previously held the position of Head of Digital Lending and Account Origination strategy at Fiserv, after the company acquired iLendx, a company he co-founded. Luther's extensive experience includes senior executive roles at USAA, where he oversaw lending, risk management, and product development. He also held board and leadership roles with LiftFund (formerly ACCION Texas) and Coolerado Corporation. He has deployed over $20 billion in capital, managed portfolios of over $100 billion, and raised more than $1 billion. Luther is a veteran who supports veteran causes and has a BA in Political Science and Business from New Mexico State University.

John is the Founder and Managing Partner of ACMI Group, an organization dedicated to manufacturing innovation and domestic supply chain resiliency. Consisting of three segments, ACMI leverages private capital to support national security priorities, to invest in emerging technologies and to rebuild the American Industrial Base through targeted industrial development. Prior to ACMI, John spent 20 years across investment banking, structured lending, and commercial banking. He currently serves middle market clients in Central Texas and volunteers for the Waterloo Greenway finance committee and conservation organizations. John also raises endangered African tortoises. He is an external member of PeopleFund’s Portfolio Quality Committee.

Larry began as a loan officer with the SBA, eventually becoming the Regional Financial Director and Deputy Director for the Dallas/Ft Worth District Office. He then held executive positions at Banco Popular and Prosper Bank, before retiring as EVP of Texas Bank in 2017. Now he consults with Texas Bank through L Miller and Associates.

Neha is dedicated to driving impact capital to empower underserved communities. She leads Charles Schwab Bank’s Community Development Lending program, aiding Community Development Financial Institution funding needs in the Western States. Neha previously worked at Century Housing and JP Morgan Chase, financing affordable housing projects in California. Neha has a Bachelor’s in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Master’s in Urban Planning from New York University. She resides in Los Angeles with her family.

As Chief Financial Officer of Opportunity Finance Network, Beth Lipson brings 25 years of experience and deep knowledge of the CDFI industry. Since joining OFN in 1997, Lipson has served in a broad range of roles, leading the organization’s capital, finances and budgets, compliance, grants, and risk management. Lipson has spearheaded several key initiatives during her time at OFN. In 2012, she developed a new executive role to lead the development and execute strategic cross-functional industry initiatives, including the NEXT Awards and Create Jobs for USA. Lipson spent nine years on the financial services team and currently serves on OFN's investment committee.  Previously, Lipson worked in business valuation at Coopers and Lybrand (now PwC) and spent two years at the Federal Reserve Board researching trends in savings and loans. Her passion for community and mission-driven business brought her to the CDFI world.

Like the industry she works in, Lipson has a strong connection to place. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Lipson received her education there as well. She has an MBA from the Wharton School with concentrations in policy and finance and a BA from University of Pennsylvania.

Gustavo is a seasoned microfinance practitioner passionate about advancing opportunities for underserved communities through access to capital. Prior to joining PeopleFund he held leadership positions with leading community leaders, being 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 $30MM asset purchase agreement between LiftFund and Citibank - a first in US microlending; the expansion of Oportun from 35 to 85 stores where he was responsible for the production of 20,000 loans per month; redefining the CFO role for Opportunity Fund and structuring credit facilities that helped the organization become the largest nonprofit microlender in the US. Most recently he co-founded and managed Listo, an organization providing financial products and services to thousands in California. Gustavo has served on numerous boards including OFN, AEO, Foundation for Women, School of Excellence, among many others. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin.