Gender Equality

The COVID-19 crisis brings new urgency to our work to improve jobs, expand business ownership, and advance economic opportunity.

While the Paycheck Protection Program was intended to help small businesses hit hardest by COVID-19, it failed to deliver on its promise.

Richenda Van Leeuwen joined the Aspen Institute as Executive Director of the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) in September. She is an ambassador for equitable and inclusive economic development and brings a breadth of knowledge and experience to leading the work of ANDE—a global network that supports the success of small and growing businesses (SGBs) around the world. She spoke with the Institute’s President and CEO, Dan Porterfield, about the importance of ANDE’s work and the impact of investing in SGBs as a method of changemaking.

There’s no equivalent for Fannie Mae when it comes to microloans — until now.

CDFIs have shown that they can provide a financial lifeline to Black, Hispanic, and female business owners who have been neglected by mainstream banks.

The COVID-19 crisis brings new urgency to our work to improve jobs, expand business ownership, and advance economic opportunity.