About Us

About Us

LA FUERZA - WHO WE ARE

La Fuerza Community Development Corporation is dedicated to promote community development by providing economic growth opportunities to low-income, minority, and women-owned enterprises. We focus on low-income minority neighborhoods where the barriers of language, 

culture, and conventional lending have hindered the growth of small businesses. Through our programs of business education, development services as well as access to capital and ongoing support, we can increase the creation of stable and vibrant communities.

La Fuerza Community Development Corporation is dedicated to promote community development by providing economic growth opportunities to low-income, minority, and women-owned enterprises. We focus on low-income minority neighborhoods where the barriers of language, culture, and conventional lending have hindered the growth of small businesses. Through our programs of  development services as well as access to capital and ongoing support, we can increase the creation of stable and vibrant communities.

Founded and Incorporated in 2001, La Fuerza CDC is certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI)

OUR MISSION

At La Fuerza CDC, our mission is to promote sustainable economic growth in Long Island by providing minority and women owned enterprises access to capital, business development services and other tools which will create jobs, community wealth and long-term prosperity.

NUESTRA MISION

Promover la sostenibilidad del desarrollo economico en Long Island a traves del acceso a capital que se ofrece a los negocios controlados por minorias y mujeres. Tambien se busca fortalecer el desarrollo empresarial y otros medios que ayuden a la creacion de empleos, crecimiento comunitario y prosperidad a largo plazo.

Our Features

What’s Our Features

Financial Counseling
Education & Training
Lending
Our Team

Meet With Our Team

2
Giovana Bracchi

Executive Director

1
Christopher Lippolt

Marketing Director

2
Leah Nadelman

Director of Portfolio Management & Compliance

1
Cheryl Rhoda

Outreach Expert

Meet With Our Board of Directors

1
Tom Costello

Chairman of the Board, CFO-Universal Services Group, LTD

2
Michael Butkewicz

Vice-Chair, Museum Supervisor-County of Nassau

1
Patricia Kielawa

Treasurer, Vice President Relationship Manager-Hanover Bank

2
Margaret Lynch

Secretary, Manager-CRS ProHealth

1
Marty Schackner

Board Member, CPA

2
Kathy Farahan

Board Member, President-A4 Investments LLC