Jennifer Afdahl Rice

About Jennifer Afdahl Rice

With my financial background, it is my goal to strengthen communities, including my own, through economic and community development.I have more than 15 years of professional experience in finance, lending and the economic development sector, including roles at PCSD, CSMC, Capital Impact Partners, RSF Social Finance, Harris Bank, ACCION Chicago and Self-Help International. My professional experience ranges from business development and technical assistance to underwriting and relationship management. My efforts in Tanzania and Ghana, Africa with local microentrepreneurs inspired me to pursue a career in small business and community facility lending. I have been honored to work with schools, community health centers, grocers, childcare providers, organic farmers, construction contractors, truckers, retail shop owners and restaurant entrepreneurs among many others to start-up and expand their operations. I have further shared my knowledge of lending and technical assistance with entrepreneurs, cooperatives, and non-profits in one-on-one conversations and also in presentations to varied audiences, including attendees at the National Charter School Conference among other conferences and workshops. My volunteer work also reflects my interests in economic development and working with disadvantaged communities. I have served as a volunteer for the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, as a trip leader for Environmental Traveling Companions, on the Bread for the World audit committee, and as Board President and Treasurer of Community Learning Center Schools.Specialties: Business development; relationship management; technical assistance; underwriting New Markets Tax Credits, lines of credit, letters of credit, and loans for mortgages, construction, and pledges; experience working with charter schools, private schools, community health centers, childcare providers, non-profit organizations, social enterprises (including green), and small businesses.

Experience

1. Executive Director of Northern California

   Blueprint

   Jan 2017 — Present · Oakland, CA, US

   Managed growth of region to develop nearly seats totaling $56.5MM in project costs and over square feet• Led Bay Area client services and business development strategies• Managed an annual budget of $1.8MM and a team of Project Managers and consultants, developing and financing charter school facilities

Education

• University of Chicago

  AM, Social Administration

  2000 — 2002

• Wartburg College

  BA, Business Administration/Sociology

  1995 — 1999

• Instituto Cervantes

  Spanish Language and Literature

• Hickman High School

  HS Diploma, College Prep

  1992 — 1995

Skills

• Impact Investing
• Commercial Lending
• Independent Schools
• Nonprofits
• Grocery Industry
• Relationship Management
• Entrepreneurship
• Microlending
• Fundraising
• Portfolio Management
• Loans
• Mortgage Lending
• Finance
• Community Outreach
• Community Development
• Grant Writing
• Small Business Lending
• Green
• Project Finance
• New Markets Tax Credits
• Real Estate Economics
• Microcredit
• Underwriting
• Philanthropy
• Business Development
• Credit Analysis
• Program Development
• Financial Analysis
• Non-Profits
• Economic Development
• Grants
• Community Health Centers
• Commercial Real Estate
• Structured Finance
• Charter Schools