By Melissa McDonald, RDF’s Chief Operating Officer My dearest Jefe (Tom Espinoza), I was given the great honor to write Raza Development Fund Familia’s farewell message as you “Step Up” as co-founder and President and CEO of RDF for the past 23+ years. You must know that I have struggled with this message. How in the world do I convey what you mean to us and the great respect and gratitude we all have for being blessed to serve with you? Jefe, you are an icon, a true servant-leader, and an Architect of Hope. You have shown the world what is …

By Natalya Merida, RDF’s Communications Department Intern This year marks my third summer being in RDF’s Familia, and this year I had the privilege of attending UnidosUS 2022 Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas. While this was my third conference; it was my first time attending in-person. Each year I have had the opportunity to write about my perspective of these conference sessions on the RDF blog. I am excited to take a deep dive into all the outstanding topics that UnidosUS had in store for this year’s conference revolving around the theme “Siempre Adelante – Our Quest for Equity.” …

RDF has the great pleasure of welcoming Christian Smith to our Familia as a summer intern. Christian is now a sophomore at Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business. He was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. He grew up alongside two brothers and sisters, so he always had someone by his side in his childhood. Christian’s hard work radiates so much so that Juan Camilo Quintana, Credit Associate, said, “When I first meet Christian, he was quiet at first, but as soon as I got to know him more, I realized he was a very friendly and …

Earlier this month, RDF happily welcomed Sandra Montero Villamizar into our Familia as a summer intern. She is currently working to aid Eric Salazar, RDF’s Director of UnidosUS Affiliated Investments in the Affiliate Support Program. Sandra is in the process of attending Arizona State University to obtain her Chemical Engineer degree. Sandra is an incredible young lady who travelled to new soil with only a little aid. A native of Venezuela, Sandra sought to leave the country’s political and socio-economic crises. Her education and goal to make a difference is vital in Sandra’s life, so once she turned 17, she …

Everyone has a story to tell. RDF’s organizational chart includes short bios about each member of the Familia that list our professional experience while touching on small tidbits of our community service history. While working on this project, I was intrigued by a comment Catherine Andrade, RDF’s Sr. Loan Portfolio Specialist, shared in her bio “took paying it forward to the next level by helping a homeless man off the streets and reconnect with his family.” It’s one statement with a great story that shows Catherine’s heart of servantship. Hear how this unlikely friendship unfolded in a Q&A with Catherine. …

By Eugenia Vivanco, Director of Community Impact & Funding Did you know, Latinos make up 40% of the total population in the Dallas /Fortworth (DFW) area of Texas (according to the 2021 U.S. Census)? In other words, one in every four people in the area is Latino. Last week, I had the honor of representing Raza Development Fund at the Power of Latinos DFW Summit, a six power-packed days filled with the latest in-depth analysis of the Latino community and their role in shaping the future of North Texas. This event was hosted by The Concilio, a Dallas-based nonprofit that …

Raza Development Fund’s organizational chart is a great visual portrayal of the quantity and quality of professional experience RDF has to offer. But most importantly, it proves we are a Familia of servant leaders at heart. “We truly have something very special at RDF,” says Melissa McDonald, RDF’s Chief Operating Officer. “Thank you, to our founders (Tom & Mark) for giving us a solid foundation based on our founding principles, mission, and servant-leader culture.” This culture is truly apparent in our new organizational chart. Recently, I (as part of RDF’s Communications team) had the pleasure and privilege of working on …

By Patty Juarez, Head of Diverse Segments for Wells Fargo The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) increased rates a quarter point from .25% to .50% in March – the first time since 2018 – and is expected to raise short-term rates six more times this year. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is also causing tremendous human and economic hardship worsening upward pressure on inflation in the U.S. With rates on the rise and growing costs of supplies and services, what does this mean for small business owners? Rates on the rise Interest rate hikes could fuel more costly borrowing, greater credit …