Vibrant communities. Empowering business owners.

About Us

About Us

Vibrant communities. <br>Empowering business owners.

Community Enterprise Development Services, or CEDS Finance, is a mission-driven, non-profit, small business lender that also provides business support services to underserved business owners across Denver Metro. We work to remove barriers thus expanding financial services to those who’ve been marginalized from the traditional financial system; and empower them towards thriving businesses, families, and communities.

Established in 2009 primarily to serve refugees and immigrants, CEDS has broadened its products and services to include a more diverse population. With almost all of its borrowers (90%) immigrants to the US, people of color, and women, CEDS has a proven track record of supporting business owners from diverse geographies, backgrounds, and cultures with culturally responsible lending.

CEDS is the only Islamic compliant lender in the state of Colorado and is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Small Business Administration (SBA) Lender. CEDS partners with the City and County of Denver, the City of Aurora, and many others.

Our Mission

Founded in 2009, Community Enterprise Development Services’ mission is to support the American Dream of financial self-sufficiency, by assisting refugees, immigrants, and those from underserved communities in Metro Denver who desire to own or strengthen businesses, develop assets, and empower themselves financially.

Our Team

Alex
AlexExecutive Director
Diana
DianaDirector of Finance
Carrie
CarrieDirector of Development
Micki
MickiDirector of Business Consulting
Tony
TonyDirector of Lending
Juan
JuanSenior Investment Officer
Daphne
DaphneSenior Portfolio Officer
Sayed
SayedSenior Investment Officer
Flaubert
FlaubertInvestment Officer
Carly
CarlyCommunications Officer
Yolanda
YolandaPortfolio Officer
Kelly
KellySenior Business Consulting Officer
Barbara F
Barbara FOperations Officer
Shafi
ShafiCommunity Engagement Officer
Juan P
Juan PInvestment Officer
Barbara S
Barbara SPortfolio Officer

Board of Directors

Jonalyn Denlinger
Jonalyn DenlingerChair
Director of Consulting, Syntrinsic Investment Counsel
Patrick Horvath
Patrick HorvathVice Chair
Administrative Officer, Center for Community Wealth Building
Josh Peebles
Josh PeeblesTreasurer
Regional President, Encore Bank

Nicole Carner
Nicole CarnerSecretary
COO & CFO Consultant to Early Stage Impact Companies
Karol Jones
Karol JonesBoard Member
Chief Financial Officer, B:Side Capital & B:Side Fund
Jeremy Harkey
Jeremy HarkeyBoard Member
Managing Director, Groundswell Ventures
Tricia allenBoard Member
Chief Program Officer, The Economic Development Association for Black Communities
Jorge AburtoBoard Member
Director of Entrepreneurship, Adelante Community Development
William hunter raileyBoard Member
Executive Director, Colorado Secure Savings Program, Colorado Dept. of the Treasury
sarah montgomeryBoard Member
Chief Financial Officer, Espire Dental
John PalyoBoard Member
Chief Lending Officer, Working Solutions
Arlene DelgadoBoard Member
Vice President, Community Outreach Officer, Encore Bank