We are pleased to introduce David Feinberg and Jessica Nepomiachi, the new co-chairs of our Community Ventures Program (CVP) Advisory Committee.

CVP is JCUA’s revolving zero-interest loan fund for affordable housing and community development. The Advisory Committee — composed of community development professionals, finance experts, and JCUA members — helps ensure that CVP projects are impactful, viable, and aligned with JCUA’s mission.

David and Jessica bring a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the table, and we are thrilled to welcome them into the new role.

David Feinberg serves as the Director of Coaching and Knowledge Transfer at the Chicago Community Loan Fund (CCFL), where he is responsible for the strategic implementation of CCLF’s technical expertise and capacity-building programs. Over the course of his career, David has led the development of more than $250 million and 1 million square feet of nonprofit and community-centered real estate projects, with a specialization in educational facilities, community centers and social enterprises. David has served on the CVP Advisory Committee for six years, and is a former JCUA Board Member.

“I’m very enthusiastic about the opportunity to build upon the incredible work and leadership of the CVP fund laid by our recent chair Zac Braun,” writes David. “The positive and equitable impact that we can make as co-chairs, and the expertise, passion, and commitment of all of our committee members — both long-standing and recent recruits. Through the commitment of investors, Advisory Committee members, and JCUA staff, CVP has become a unique solution to promoting equitable community development and affordable housing throughout Chicago, that is tethered to the justice and organizing work of JCUA.”

Jessica Nepomiachi is the Director of Special Projects for Real Estate Solutions at IFF, a mission-driven lender, developer, and real estate consultant. She has a background in affordable housing finance, policy, and advocacy and has created and preserved hundreds of mixed income and affordable housing units in her career. Jessica recently completed her first year serving on the JCUA Board and the CVP Advisory program.

“I am looking forward to serving as co-chair alongside David, as we continue the work of providing critical funding support that expands and preserves affordable housing, community facilities, and equitable economic development projects in our city,” Jessica shares.

We’d like to express our deepest gratitude to our outgoing Advisory Committee Chair, Zac Braun. We are incredibly thankful for Zac’s dedication and leadership over his five years as chair and ten years on the committee. Under his leadership, CVP has awarded $4.9 million in zero percent interest loans to 35 projects. Zac helped grow the loan fund 9-fold during his tenure, including through increased commitment from First Eagle Bank where he is a Senior Vice President.

You can learn more about the Community Ventures Program, and all of the members of the Advisory Committee.