ACCESS TO CAPITAL SMALL BUSINESS SUMMIT
September 15, 2025
Event Agenda
9:30 AM – Registration Opens
10:00 AM – Welcome Note
Presented by Redwood Credit Union, Priscilla Jaworski
10:20 AM – 11:00 AM | Learn How to Become Fundable
Moderator: Oscar Garcia, California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
Learn how to prepare your business for funding success, including: Understanding different funding sources and building relationships
Preparing essential financial documents
Improving and understanding both personal and business credit scores
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Meet the Lenders | Panel Discussion
Moderator: Alma Galvan, Better Business Bureau
Hear directly from local lenders about what they look for in small business borrowers. Learn about funding programs, eligibility, and application tips.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Lender Matchmaking & Networking
Meet one-on-one with lenders to discuss your business needs, ask questions, and network with other participants and organizations.
Lunch will be provided!
HOSTED BY
Partnering Organizations
Moderated by:
Panelist Information
Alma Galvan RegionalMarketingandCommunicationsManager
BetterBusinessBureau
agalvan@bbbemail.org (510)844-2079
Alma Galvan is an experienced marketing and business development professional with nearly two decades at the Better Business Bureau, specializing in community partnerships, consumer education, and small business support. She excels in media relations, digital marketing, bilingual outreach, cybersecurity awareness, and market analysis. Alma is known for her practical approach to helping entrepreneurs, startups, and accredited businesses grow, particularly across Northern California She is strategic, collaborative, and skilled at developing impactful campaigns, workshops, and public presentations. Alma is bilingual (English/Spanish) and passionate about empowering businesses through education, visibility, and trust-building initiatives
Oscar Garcia
SeniorVicePresident
Oscar Garcia is the Senior Vice President of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce; he is widely recognized for his contributions to Northern California’s entrepreneurial community.
He plays a key role in strategic business planning and development education, technical assistance, and capital infusion for business growth and expansion. Additionally, Oscar is a trusted leader in the small business community where he helps business owners understand and follow the path to starting and growing a successful business.
For his contributions to the business community, he has been recognized by the California House of Representatives, State Assembly, and the Senate. He was presented with the Counselor of the Year award by the SBA District Office and SCORE organization.
Juan Hernandez III CreserCapital ChiefExecutiveOfficerandCo-Founder jhernandez@cresercapital.org
Juan is the former Executive Director of La Luz Center, a social service provider that primarily serves the Sonoma Valley Latino community. Juan founded and managed their small business loan program Born and raised in the barrio of East Los Angeles, Juan is completely bilingual and bicultural. He has been a counselor, coach, and a seasoned advocate for youth and community outreach. Juan served as Director of Educational Programs at the Calistoga Family Center, and, while in Calistoga, was elected to the board of the Napa Community Foundation and the Napa Valley Hispanic Network. Juan has been part of First 5 Commission, the Sonoma Sheriff’s Advisory Group, and Portrait of Sonoma County Leadership Team. He earned a B.A. degree from UC Riverside, a Fellowship in Management Leadership from New York University, and an M.A. in Psychology and Organization Development from Sonoma State University.
Juan is also an entrepreneur, he has launched Em’s Honey with his wife Veronica and daughter Emanelli. Em’s Honey sources local honey and sells on-line and farmers markets.
Paul Ratner is the Vice President of Sales at Marble Bridge Funding Group. In his role he is responsible for helping small businesses and early stage companies by offering working capital financing This includes but it is not limited to Account Receivable, Purchase Order, and Contract Financing. Prior to working for Marble Bridge Paul spent 19 years working in various sales leadership roles in professional sports with the Golden State Warriors and PGA TOUR. Paul currently serves on three non-profit boards and has been a strategic advisor for several companies and individuals.
Anita Russell, CommunityDevelopmentManager, WorkingSolutionsCDFI anita@workingsolutions.org (415)655-5471
Anita Russell is a polished, poised, conversant, responsible for procuring new partner relations while maintaining existing affiliations, coaching new applicants seeking access to capital and holding current clients with unswerving integrity; and supporting a diversity of community outreach efforts. Anita brings an indubitable ability to lead, empathize, and communicate as a vibrant visionary, engaging in an assortment of informationally robust symposiums centered on capital access and preparedness.
Anita's avid acumen for advocacy, communication, and partnership-building has been solid for more than 30 years. Of all the capacities in which Anita has served, what she appreciates most is bringing her heart to each role! “Meaningful connectivity involves the ability to be genuinely intentional, relatable, reliable and empathetic. And while every outcome may not be favorable, most often, all people want is to be seen, heard, and assured the listening ear authentically cares.”
Leonardo Fernandez CommunityDevelopmentOfficer TMCCommunityCapital leonardo@tmccommunitycapital.org (415)644-8732
Leonardo Fernandez is a Community Development Officer at TMC Community Capital, a non-profit microlender (CDFI) committed to providing fast and affordable online financing, to fostering financial stability, and to encouraging entrepreneurship among women-owned, low-income and under-resourced small businesses in California. He also supports increasing awareness to the Community Development Financial Institution space as an entryway for minority and immigrant entrepreneurs to grow their business through access to capital.
Clay Papko
SeniorRelationshipManager SummitStateBank
cpopko@summitstatebank.com
Work:(707)284-5737
Cell:(707)291-3357
Clay Popko graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from San Diego State University in 1993 and later completed a 30-unit accounting certificate program from Golden Gate University in 1998. Over the past 30 years, he has built a career in banking and finance, beginning as an analyst and growing into an experienced Relationship Manager.
With deep expertise in agriculture, as well as commercial and industrial lending, Clay has established a reputation for helping businesses succeed across diverse industries. Today, he is focused on providing commercial and industrial financing in Sonoma County and throughout the North Bay, supporting the growth and vitality of the region’s business community.
Clay now resides in Sebastopol and has two adult children. He enjoys gardening, cycling, and noodling on the guitar
Jason Ehn
SBA/CommercialLendingManager
RedwoodCreditUnion
Jehn@redwoodcu.org
Office:(707)576-5439
Mobile:(707)953-4446
Jason Ehn graduated from UCLA and moved to Sonoma County in 1998. He has worked in the SBA and commercial lending industry for 27 years, performing every job junction including sales management, business development, credit analysis, loan processing, and closing. He has been passionately serving RCU’s business Members since 2008. In 2013, Jason graduated with Honors from Western CUNA Management School In his current SBA/Commercial Lending Manager role at RCU, Jason leads the loan officers in SBA, business, and commercial loan growth efforts.
Thank You to Our Lending Partners!
We sincerely appreciate the lenders who joined us for the Access to Capital Small Business Summit and for their ongoing support of small businesses.
