 Justine PETERSEN is excited about new MOSourceLink staffing on the ground in the St. Louis metro region. Caitlin Jones recently joined MOSourceLink as a “Network Navigator,” focusing on not only building the local network of resource providers, but fostering connections and collaborations among providers. MOSourceLink seeks to assist entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state of Missouri in connecting them with the necessary resources so that their businesses may grow and succeed. MOSourcLink’s network includes over 500 resource partners across the state, which in turn, host over 50 public-facing events monthly targeting the needs of entrepreneurs and small businesses. Alexces Bartley, Network Builder for MOSourceLink, who is based in Kansas City, recently visited the JP office to formally introduce Caitlin to the work and world of Justine PETERSEN. Welcome Caitlin! |
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The Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) held their Midwest Regional Meeting this past week at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. Lisa Mensah, OFN President and CEO, gave remarks and introduced new CDFI Fund Director Jodie Harris, who detailed the work afoot at the CDFI Fund. CDFIs (community development financial institutions) from states throughout the Midwest attended, including members of the St. Louis CDFI Coalition. STL CDFI Coalition members also had the opportunity to share a dinner with members of the KC CDFI Coalition the evening before the OFN meet-up. OFN’s new CFO Amir Kirkwood let a breakout session on capitalization trends and challenges facing CDFIs, and new Public Policy Senior Associate Mary Scott Hardwick, provided legislative updates along with seasoned OFN colleague Dafina Williams.
Justine PETERSEN is a long standing partner of the St. Louis College of Health Careers. JP actively provides seminars to their students on the importance of credit scores and how to position oneself for a life of financial asset-building. JP staffer Ben Feimer staffed an information table recently at the College’s Annual Resource Fair. Students were also eager to learn about strategies to navigate current and forthcoming student loan debt, and how such can ultimately impact a credit score.
JP staff hosted a happy hour in honor of soon-to-be newlyweds Katie Kristensen and Noel McKay. Katie and Noel wed this Labor Day Weekend, and they are soon off to an amazing honeymoon which includes stops in Spain, Portugal and Germany. CONGRATS KATIE AND NOEL! (And please discuss the impact of an authorized user on your credit report sooner than later!!)