Our
Story
The beginning
Fund CI was born out of FUND Consulting in 2017. FUND partner Ruth Barber founded Fund CI with a love for research and a strong desire to give back to the industry that helped FUND Consulting grow. Since that time, FUND Consulting has served as a thought partner and funder of Fund CI. Learn more about FUND Consulting on their website www.fundconsulting.com.
Our mission
The mission of Fund CI is to build thriving communities through research, training, and facilitation of opportunities for knowledge sharing.
Our products
Fund CI conducts independent studies, partner projects, and commissioned research designed to encourage dialogue, share best practices, and promote innovation. Our work focuses on Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), their supporters and collaborators.
Fund CI produces long form research reports, research briefs, and industry spotlights for public use. We are also available to provide trainings and complete commissioned research.
Our focus
OUR PEOPLE
Meet the team
Ruth Barber
Partner, FUND Consulting
Emily Sipfle (she/her/hers)
Executive Director
Emily brings more than a decade of CDFI experience to the Executive Director role at Fund CI.
Formerly, Emily was a Managing Consultant at FUND Consulting, where she oversaw an internal team which managed client data, completed analyses and leveraged third-party data sources to support FUND projects. Emily also managed projects including writing CDFI Fund funding and grant applications, initial CDFI certification and ongoing reporting, and compliance. Emily also works with clients on strategic projects, such as strategic plans, market studies, capitalization plans, impact systems analyses, and customer surveys. Prior to FUND Consulting, Emily worked in various roles at three CDFIs: National Community Investment Fund, IFF and Chicago Community Loan Fund.
Emily was a founding board member of Fund Community Institute and has supported the organization’s mission and research agenda since inception. She is excited to continue to grow the organization’s research and training efforts related to CDFIs and the larger community development industry.
Lolita Sereleas
Partner, FUND Consulting
Megan Teare
Managing Director Community Lending and Investment, Wells Fargo Corporate and Investment Banking
Board Members
Dawn Akers
Director of Data Analytics, Colorado Enterprise Fund
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