Community Development Financial Institutions

During this difficult time for you and your business you may need to consider alternative financing options to start or jumpstart your business. Today's speaker will introduce and educate us on Community Development Finance Institutions and their role in financing and services for your small business. These lending organizations are an increasingly vital source for businesses in Western Pennsylvania. 

Our speaker, Aaron Aldrich, has 15 years of experience in the banking and finance industry.  His journey started in retail banking where he had various roles within the bank, most notably as a Branch Manager. He developed staff, promoted a customer centric environment and grew deposit and loan balances while maintaining operational soundness. He was recognized for multiple awards during his banking career including a PNC Achievement Award and two Champion Awards from National City Bank.  In 2012, he joined Bridgeway Capital as an Entrepreneur Loan Officer.  In 2014, he became Business Education Director.  As Business Education Director, he led a team of consultants that worked one-on-one with entrepreneurs, assisting them with accounting, marketing and legal services.  In November 2017, he became a certified Growth Wheel Business Advisor.  With this certification he helped entrepreneurs set goals, create action plans and monitor their success through the Growth Wheel online platform.  In 2020 he transitioned back into a lending role as a Growth Loan Officer.  This role focuses on lending to businesses that are growing and creating jobs as well as real estate projects.  Aaron enjoys community service and has instructed financial literacy courses at area high schools and churches. He currently serves as President of the North Side Christian Health Center Board of Directors and Treasurer of the Steel Smiling Board of Directors.  He also serves on the Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship Finance Committee and Chatham Women Business Center Advisory Board.  Aaron was honored by The New Pittsburgh Courier as a 2019 Men of Excellence Awardee.  Aaron received his BA in Economics from the University of Pittsburgh and his MBA in Business Administration from Point Park University.