Financial Services veteran to join nonprofit small business lender
Austin, Texas – PeopleFund is pleased to announce Gustavo Lasala as the organization’s incoming President & Chief Executive Officer, joining the organization October 1st. Current leader Gary Lindner will transition to a Senior Advisor role, providing close counsel and strategic guidance.
A seasoned microfinance executive, Mr. Lasala has worked for LiftFund, Opportunity Fund, and Oportun – playing key roles within each organization. He most recently served as the President & CEO of Listo, a financial services company focused on underserved communities in California. Mr. Lasala holds an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin.
“I am thrilled and deeply honored to join PeopleFund team to lead the organization and continue to build on the strong foundation created by Gary. It is very special and close to my heart to be back in Texas creating new economic opportunities for entrepreneurs” explained Mr. Lasala. “PeopleFund makes a positive difference in the communities it serves by making the American dream accessible to aspiring and experienced small business owners alike. We provide unconventional solutions to common yet hard to solve problems and I look forward to leveraging my experience to further grow our financial products, services and programs.”
“Our board of directors was seeking a leader with a passion for entrepreneurship and a commitment to underserved communities, and we believe we found that in Gustavo,” said Yolanda Davila, Chair of the PeopleFund board. “With his diverse background in finance, business development, and executive leadership, we are confident he will bring our mission to scale. The board and staff are also excited to retain Gary’s talents to provide visionary support to critical projects like new markets tax credits and our national veteran initiatives.”
“Gustavo and I worked together every day for more than six years at ACCION Texas (now LiftFund). He has all the credentials to help PeopleFund continue to grow and prosper,” stated Mr. Lindner. During his 9 year tenure as CEO, Mr. Lindner grew the organization across the state of Texas, negotiated three mergers, obtained $100 million in new markets tax credit allocations, created national programs for veteran entrepreneurs, and secured over $75 million in low cost capital for small business lending.
Founded in 1994, PeopleFund celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. To-date, the organization has lent $75 million to over 1,300 small business owners, delivered 96,000 hours of business education and technical assistance and created 6,250 jobs across Texas.
About PeopleFund
PeopleFund is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established in 1994. It is a U.S. Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and SBA certified lender. PeopleFund provides business loans up to $350,000 to Texas businesses that do not qualify for bank loans. It also provides client business assistance and education. 97% of loans are to target market of minority, women, and veteran business owners and those residing in low to moderate income census tracts. 59% of current loans are to startups and non-profit organizations. It also makes SBA 504 loans up to $5 million and closes multiple high impact new market tax credit transactions. Through access to capital and educational opportunities, PeopleFund creates economic opportunity and financial stability for underserved people to build healthy small businesses. PeopleFund inspires, educates, funds, and elevates entrepreneurs on the path to prosperity and the American dream. www.peoplefund.org
PeopleFund le da la bienvenida a Gustavo Lasala como Presidente y CEO
Veterano en servicios financieros se une a organización financiera sin fines de lucro
Austin, Texas- PeopleFund tiene el placer de anunciar a Gustavo Lasala como Presidente y CEO entrante quien estará uniéndose a la organización a partir del 1 de octubre del 2019. Gary Lindner, su líder actual, hará la transición al rol de asesor para proporcionar consejo y orientación estratégica.
Ejecutivo experto en micro finanzas, el Sr. Lasala ha trabajado para LiftFund, Opportunity Fund, y Oportun – desempeñando papeles claves dentro de cada organización. Recientemente, se desempeñó como Presidente y CEO de Listo, una empresa de servicios financieros enfocada en comunidades desatendidas en California. El Sr. Lasala tiene un M.B.A. de la Universidad de Texas en Austin.
“Estoy emocionado y profundamente honrado de unirme al equipo de PeopleFund para dirigir la organización y continuar construyendo sobre los cimientos sólidos creados por Gary. Es muy especial y cercano a mi corazón regresar a Texas a crear oportunidades económicas para emprendedores” explica el Sr. Lasala. “PeopleFund hace una diferencia positiva en las comunidades donde ofrece sus servicios ya que hace el sueño americano accesible tanto para dueños de pequeños negocios nuevos como establecidos. Aportamos soluciones no convencionales a problemas comunes pero difíciles de resolver. y espero hacer uso de mi experiencia para impulsar nuestros productos, servicios, y programas.”
“Nuestra junta directiva estaba buscando un líder con espíritu emprendedor y compromiso con las comunidades desatendidas, y creemos que encontramos eso en Gustavo,” dijo Yolanda Davila, Presidente de la junta directiva. “Con su diversa experiencia en Finanzas, Desarrollo Empresarial, y Liderazgo Ejecutivo, estamos seguros que el hará crecer el alcance de nuestra misión. La junta directiva y staff están también emocionados de retener el talento de Gary quien ofrecerá su apoyo visionario en proyectos fundamentales como el programa NMTC y nuestras iniciativas para veteranos a nivel nacional”.
“Gustavo y yo trabajamos juntos cada día por más de seis años en Accion Texas (ahora LiftFund). Él tiene todas las credenciales para ayudar a PeopleFund a continuar creciendo y prosperando,” expreso el Sr. Lindner. Durante nueve años como CEO, el Sr. Lindner expandió la organización a todo el estado de Texas, negoció tres adquisiciones, obtuvo $100 millones en distribuciones del programa NMTC, creó programas para emprendedores veteranos, y atrajo más de $75 millones de capital de costo bajo para préstamos a pequeñas empresas.
PeopleFund fue fundado en 1994 y este año celebra su 25 aniversario. A la fecha, la organización ha producido más de $75 millones en préstamos a más de 1,300 dueños de pequeñas empresas, ha entregado más de 96,000 horas de educación en negocios y asistencia técnica, y creado más de 6,250 trabajos en Texas.