SMALL BUSINESS ACCESS TO CAPITAL
May 5, 2025
Small Business Access to Capital Event Agenda
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
How to Become Fundable
Moderator: Oscar Garcia, California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
Learn how to prepare your business for funding success, including: Understanding different funding sources and building lender relationships Preparing essential financial documents
Improving and understanding personal and business credit scores
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Meet the Lenders – Panel Discussion
Moderator: Wesley Alexander, CoBiz Richmond
Hear directly from local lenders about what they look for in small business borrowers. Learn about funding programs, eligibility, and application tips.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Lender Matchmaking & Networking
Meet one-on-one with lenders to discuss your business needs, ask questions, and fill out pre-loan request forms.
HOSTS
Wesley Alexander, Chief
Executive Officer (CEO)
CoBiz Richmond, Inc. (CoBiz) wesley@cobizrichmond.com (510) 309-7107
Wesley Alexander, currently serves as the CEO of CoBiz Richmond, Inc. (CoBiz) - an economic development engine, community hub, and an inter-generational resource hub focused on building an ecosystem for wellness - entrepreneurially, professionally, and personally.
Alma Galvan
Regional Marketing and Communications Manager
Better Business Bureau
agalvan@bbbemail.org (510) 844-2079
Alma Galvan is an experienced marketing and business development professional with nearly two decades at the Better Business Bureau, specializing in community partnerships, consumer education, and small business support. She excels in media relations, digital marketing, bilingual outreach, cybersecurity awareness, and market analysis. Alma is known for her practical approach to helping entrepreneurs, startups, and accredited businesses grow, particularly across Northern California. She is strategic, collaborative, and skilled at developing impactful campaigns, workshops, and public presentations. Alma is bilingual (English/Spanish) and passionate about empowering businesses through education, visibility, and trust-building initiatives
Oscar Garcia, Senior Vice President California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
444-2221
Oscar Garcia is the Senior Vice President of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce; he is widely recognized for his contributions to Northern California’s entrepreneurial community.
He plays a key role in strategic business planning and development education, technical assistance, and capital infusion for business growth and expansion. Additionally, Oscar is a trusted leader in the small business community where he helps business owners understand and follow the path to starting and growing a successful business.
For his contributions to the business community, he has been recognized by the California House of Representatives, State Assembly, and the Senate. He was presented with the Counselor of the Year award by the SBA District Office and SCORE organization.
Panelist
Ronnette Turner-Corley, Business Loan Consultant
SecurePath Funding
Email: ronnette@securepathfunding.com
Website: http://securepathfunding.com (916) 235-3191
I'm a Business Loan Broker and Financial Strategist with a passion for helping entrepreneurs and small business owners access the capital they need to grow. With a deep understanding of financial structures and funding solutions, I tailor strategies that support both immediate and long-term goals. My mission is to empower clients to build sustainable wealth through smart financial planning and strategic funding.
Mayra Contreras, Director of Partnerships
TMC Community Capital
Mayra@tmccommunitycapital.org (415) 644-8434
Mayra Contreras is the Director of Community Relations at TMC Community Capital, where she collaborates with other organizations to help promote access to affordable and responsible capital. She also works one-on-one with entrepreneurs to prepare them for loans and provides tailored resources to ensure they have the support they need to succeed. Mayra has over 14 years of experience in the financial services sector and 8 years in micro-lending.
TMC Community Capital is a nonprofit small business lender that provides online financing and promotes economic stability among women-owned, low-income, and under-resourced small businesses in California.
Adrian Gomez, VP-Relationship Manager
For the past 20 years, I have focused on building strong and lasting relationships with entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout the Bay Area. At Main Street Launch, I assist small businesses in securing financing to start, sustain, or grow their business operations through several loan programs that the organization offers.
I am pleased to serve as a connector for entrepreneurs, directing them to business resource centers such as SBDC Centers, Renaissance, and SCORE. Additionally, I enjoy teaching financial literacy workshops with various non-profits to the Hispanic community. I initially joined Main Street Launch in 2013 as a Relationship Manager and am a founding board member of the Oakland Latino Chamber of Commerce.
I hold a B.S. in Psychology with a concentration in Industrial & Organizational Psychology from Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City. My understanding of the dynamics, challenges, and opportunities of small businesses comes from my father, who owned a mechanic garage shop for 30 years, and my mother, who owned a beauty salon in Mexico City, where I am from.
Nina Lang has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, focusing on commercial lending, relationship management and business development. Nina holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance and is passionate about assisting small businesses with achieving their financial plans by curating a customized strategy, and providing the necessary tools and resources to bridge financial gaps. Her client-centric approach enables her to cultivate
Anita Russell, Community Development Manager, Working Solutions CDFI
(415) 655-5471
Anita Russell joined Working Solutions in early 2020. As a Community Development Manager, Anita is responsible for developing new partner relationships and supporting outreach efforts. Anita brings a strong ability to lead and communicate as a vibrant visionary who has produced a diversity of informationally robust symposiums on topics ranging from financial literacy and women's empowerment to youth engagement.
In her past corporate career track, she served in capacities as a job developer who procured new employer relationships with local and corporate business owners, and also as a career coach responsible for onboarding and training hundreds of marginalized Bay Area youth from underserved communities. She has also worked in diverse capacities with helping to co-manage sprawling, high-end commercial office properties in the South Bay, San Francisco, and East Bay.
Anita's acumen for advocacy, communication, and partnership building has been solid for more than 25 years.
Chris Horton currently serves as the District Director for the U.S. Small Business Administration, San Francisco District Office. Chris.is a career financial professional with expertise in business credit & commercial lending, business banking services, commercial real estate acquisitions, business financial planning, credit restoration and debt consolidation.
Sue Odah, Senior Branch Manager
Travis Credit Union
With over 45 years of experience in the finance industry, I am Currently serving as Senior Branch Manager at Travis Credit Union, I lead a dedicated team focused on providing tailored financial solutions to our members. I am deeply committed to fostering long-term relationships built on trust, integrity, and transparency. Outside of the office, I am passionate about giving back to the community and actively support various philanthropic initiatives focused on education and economic empowerment.
Will Jackson US Bank
With 20 years in the banking industry, Will started his career as a mortgage banker with experience in risk and compliance and serves on the board for Working Solutions CDFI.
Gabriel Basso
Commercial Real Estate Finance and Business Banking
Travis Credit Union
At Travis Credit Union, Gabriel is responsible for originating over $100,000,000 in commercial real estate loans annually and developing durable client relationships. Additional experience in property tax consulting and C&I lending.
Small Business Access to Capital Supporters
