First Female President to Lead the Organization
ORLANDO, FL – The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs (The Alliance) proudly announces the appointment of Amber Bond as its new President. In assuming the role, Bond makes history as the first woman to lead the organization. Lenwood V. Long, Sr., who has been serving as President and CEO, will continue his role as CEO.
With over 17 years of dedicated service in economic development, Bond has proven herself a transformative leader. As Executive VP and COO, she has been instrumental in shaping the strategic vision and managing key initiatives for The Alliance over the past two years. Her expertise and innovative approach have been pivotal in enhancing the organization’s approach to operations, programs, strategic initiatives, and more.
“Amber’s appointment as President marks a transformative chapter for The Alliance,” said Donna Gambrell, Alliance Board Chair and President & CEO of Appalachian Community Capital. “Her visionary outlook for the future of The Alliance brings immense excitement and we can’t wait to see the positive impact she will bring to the organization.”
Lenwood V. Long, Sr., CEO of The Alliance and a renowned figure in the CDFI sector with over 30 years of distinguished service, will maintain his influential position as CEO. He remarked, “Amber Bond’s promotion to President is a testament to her extraordinary leadership and unwavering commitment to economic justice. Her vision and expertise are exactly what The Alliance needs as we prepare for the exciting future in supporting our members.”
Bond’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for The Alliance as it continues to champion initiatives that empower and build the capacity for Black-led community development financial institutions. In her new role she will provide general oversight to the Alliance and drive its strategic focus. She will also play a critical role within the broader stakeholder base, assisting the CEO with external relations between the board, community, and interagency partnerships.
“I am deeply honored to step into the role of President at such a crucial time for our organization,” said Amber Bond, President of The Alliance. “My journey has been fueled by a passion for bringing equitable resources to black communities that level wealth building opportunities. In my new role, I am committed to expanding The Alliance’s impact, ensuring we continue to break new ground in service of our mission.”
The Alliance had a remarkable 2023 of building partnerships and programs to serve Black-led CDFIs. Through collective efforts, The Alliance will continue to create pathways to prosperity for those who have been marginalized for far too long.
To learn more about what’s next for The Alliance, please visit http://www.aaacdfi.org.
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African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs
The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs, known as “The Alliance,” is a membership organization consisting of 76 CEOs from Black-led Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). These institutions include loan funds, credit unions, venture capital firms, and non-profit developers. Since its establishment in 2018, The Alliance’s extensive network has provided services across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. To learn more about The Alliance and its programs, please visit http://www.aaacdfi.org.
Media Contacts:
Alisha Brown / African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs
[email protected] / 901-849-0820
