Vibrant communities. Empowering business owners.

About Us

About Us

Vibrant communities. <br>Empowering business owners.

Community Enterprise Development Services, or CEDS Finance, is a mission-driven, non-profit, small business lender that provides small business loans and business support services to underserved business owners across Denver Metro (Murabahas are provided throughout the state of Colorado). We work to remove barriers, expanding financial services to those who’ve been marginalized from the traditional financial system, and empower them toward thriving businesses, families, and communities.

Established in 2009 primarily to serve refugees and immigrants, CEDS has broadened its products and services to include a more diverse population. With almost all of its borrowers (90%) being immigrants to the US, people of color, and women, CEDS offers small business loans for underserved communities, focusing on culturally responsible lending practices to meet the unique needs of its borrowers.

CEDS is the only Islamic compliant lender in the state of Colorado and is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Small Business Administration (SBA) Lender. CEDS partners with the City and County of Denver, the City of Aurora, and other community organizations, we provide small business loans for underserved communities to support business owners from diverse backgrounds, geographies, and cultures.

Our Mission

Founded in 2009, Community Enterprise Development Services’ mission is to support the American Dream of financial self-sufficiency, by assisting refugees, immigrants, and those from underserved communities in Metro Denver who desire to own or strengthen businesses, develop assets, and empower themselves financially.

Our Team

Alex
AlexExecutive Director
Diana
DianaDirector of Finance
Carrie
CarrieDirector of Development
Micki
MickiDirector of Business Consulting
Tony
TonyDirector of Lending
Juan
JuanSenior Investment Officer
Daphne
DaphneSenior Portfolio Officer
Sayed
SayedSenior Investment Officer
Carly
CarlyCommunications Officer
Yolanda
YolandaPortfolio Officer
Kelly
KellySenior Business Consulting Officer
Shafi
ShafiCommunity Engagement Officer
Juan P
Juan PInvestment Officer
Barbara S
Barbara SPortfolio Officer
Yasir Abdulah
Yasir AbdulahClient Services Officer
Abdi MohamedPortfolio Associate

Board of Directors

Jonalyn Denlinger
Jonalyn DenlingerChair
Director of Consulting, Syntrinsic Investment Counsel
Patrick Horvath
Patrick HorvathVice Chair
Administrative Officer, Center for Community Wealth Building
Nicole Carner
Nicole CarnerSecretary
COO & CFO Consultant to Early Stage Impact Companies
Sarah Montgomery
Sarah MontgomeryBoard Treasurer
Chief Financial Officer, Espire Dental
Jorge Aburto
Jorge AburtoBoard Member
Director of Entrepreneurship, Adelante Community Development
William Hunter Railey
William Hunter RaileyBoard Member
Executive Director, Colorado Secure Savings Program, Colorado Dept. of the Treasury
John Palyo
John PalyoBoard Member
CDFI Industry Leader
Arlene Delgado
Arlene DelgadoBoard Member
Vice President, Community Outreach Officer, Encore Bank
Timothy Floyd
Timothy FloydBoard Member
Alpine Bank Vice-President of Community Development and Lending
Jess SveenBoard Member
Chief Executive Officer, RMMFI
Marie PetersBoard Member
Fund Director, B-Side Capital