OFN42: Looking to the Future with “Opportunity Next”

by Maria Paulino

Last month, we traveled to New Orleans for Opportunity Finance Network’s annual conference, joining more than 2,000 community development finance professionals, foundations, policymakers, and mission-driven leaders dedicated to expanding economic opportunity in underserved communities.

This year’s conference theme, “Opportunity Next,” focused on looking beyond today’s challenges to the future of community finance. The event featured more than 100 breakout sessions and networking opportunities, creating countless ocasions to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and learn from innovative work happening across the CDFI industry.

Throughout the conference, one message consistently emerged: the next chapter of community finance will require innovation and collaboration to meet the evolving needs of small businesses and underserved communities. In discussions ranging from impact measurement, technology, and AI to organizational strategy and portfolio management, presenters emphasized the importance of strengthening relationships and remaining responsive to changing economic conditions.

One of the highlights of the conference for me was participating as a panelist in “Segmenting for Success: Smarter Portfolio Management for Small Business Lenders.” I was honored to share the stage with Michael Coulter, VP of Lending Operations at Southern Bancorp, and Mary Tritsis, Chief Lending & Credit Officer at Allies for Community Business, along with moderator Oseremi Adekoye, VP of Investment Originations at OFN.

I shared how, at Accompany Capital, we use borrower and portfolio data to move beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to portfolio management. By analyzing trends across industries, business life cycles, and borrower feedback, we identify emerging needs and develop targeted programs and strategies that better support entrepreneurs throughout their growth journey.

One example I shared was Accompany Capital’s participation in the NYC Future Fund, an $80 million public-private loan program launched by the City of New York. The program provides flexible, revenue-based financing to seasonal and growing small businesses, with a focus on immigrant-, minority-, and women-owned businesses.

I also highlighted our Keys to Ownership program, a business succession initiative designed to help entrepreneurs acquire and successfully transition existing small businesses through affordable financing, education, and ongoing business support.

Our discussion reinforced an important point: effective portfolio management is not solely about mitigating risk. It is also about building stronger relationships, understanding borrower needs, and creating pathways for long-term success. When lenders take the time to understand where businesses are in their life cycle and the challenges they face, they are better positioned to provide meaningful support and create lasting impact.

OFN42 offered valuable opportunities to learn from peers across the industry and was a great reminder that one of the CDFI industry’s greatest strengths is its willingness to share knowledge, collaborate, and continuously adapt. “Opportunity Next” was more than a theme. It was a call to action for all of us working to expand economic opportunity and ensure that entrepreneurs and communities have access to the resources they need to thrive.

And if that wasn’t enough, as fellow attendee Tsetan Dekyi, Accompany Capital’s Manager of Development, shared: “Not only was the conference a great opportunity to connect with fellow attendees and learn from industry peers, but experiencing New Orleans made the trip even more special.

Tricia Walrond, our Director of Accounting and Administration, and I concurred: from its rich culture and incredible food to its music and welcoming atmosphere, NOLA left a lasting impression.