Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), the nation's leading network of community development financial institutions (CDFIs) who invest prudently and productively in low-income and low-wealth communities to help them join the economic mainstream, announced today that Pam Porter has joined as the new executive vice president of strategic consulting. In this position, Porter is responsible for overall strategy, leadership, management and execution related to existing and new clients for OFN's consulting practice. She will work with CDFIs, government agencies, national associations, banks, foundations, and socially responsible investors to develop effective strategies to build high performing CDFIs who fund small business, develop affordable housing, and finance community facilities such as charter schools.

Mark Pinsky, OFN's President and CEO, said today, "We are fortunate to have the knowledge and experience Pam brings to our consulting practice, and she is a welcome addition to our executive management team. Pam will play a key role in helping OFN drive overall CDFI industry innovation and collaboration to create a high-impact, high-volume financing system to benefit millions of low-income and low-wealth people annually."

Porter's leadership experience ranges from start up firms to Right Management, the world's largest talent and career management firm. At Right Management, as EVP of Strategy and Planning, Pam worked with executive leadership to develop and execute their overall strategy in the human capital industry and to identify high value synergies with Manpower, their parent company. Prior to joining Right, Pam led boutique consulting firms Stepping Stone Partners and Omnient Corporation, where she worked closely with C-suite leaders of private and public companies to design and implement business and technology initiatives. Beginning her career in international corporate finance as an officer at JP Morgan, Pam has over 25 years of business experience. Pam was appointed by the Department of Commerce to serve on the Board of Examiners for the Baldrige National Quality Award, and she is also a member of the Forum of Executive Women.

Porter stated: "CDFIs serve a central role in meeting the financial services needs of the United States. I believe we can direct more capital through CDFIs and into low income communities via a combination of bold strategy, innovative products and services, effective collaboration, and impeccable execution. I'll be at the 2010 OFN Conference in San Francisco in November and am eager to meet face to face with as many CDFIs, banks, funders, and policymakers as I can."

A high resolution, headshot photograph of Pam Porter is available at http://www.opportunityfinance.net/press/photos.aspx.

Opportunity Finance Network
Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), the leading network of private financial institutions, creates growth that is good for communities, investors, individuals, and the economy. Members of OFN are community development financial institutions (CDFIs) who deliver responsible lending to help low-wealth and low-income communities join the economic mainstream. Over the past 30 years, the opportunity finance industry has provided more than $30 billion in financing to underserved markets nationwide. In 2008, OFN Members financed more than 200,000 jobs, 600,000 housing units, 50,000 businesses and microenterprises, and 6,000 community facility projects. More information is available at: www.opportunityfinance.net.

Opportunity Finance Network

Opportunity Finance Network

Opportunity Finance Network is the leading network of private financial intermediaries that delivers both sound returns and real opportunities for low-wealth people and communities in the U.S. Opportunity Finance Network Members originated more than $12.5 billion in financing in non-conforming urban, rural, and native communities through 2006. This generated or maintained 175,710 jobs; 39,583 businesses; 533,394 housing units; and 5,858 community facility projects. More information is available at www.opportunityfinance.net.

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