PROFESSIONAL
PRESENTATIONS, PANELS, & WORKSHOPS
Higher Education Leadership – Trends and Outlook, June 2024
Sigma Pi Fraternity, Indianapolis, IN
- Served on a three-person panel with two university presidents to talk about the trends and outlook for higher education. Topics included enrollment trends, best practices in working with administrators, and how to frame service, philanthropy, and engagement events as proactive recruitment possibilities not just for the organization, but for the larger campus community. The panel took place at Sigma Pi Fraternity’s national convention in front of more than 300 attendees from across the country.
AIM Series – Bryan Duarte ’14, April 2024
Monmouth University’s Leon Hess Business School, West Long Branch, NJ
Community Facilities & Economic Development, March 2024
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
- Guest lectured on Zoom for the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy’s Community Development Finance course. Topics included the history of education in America, how that history informed the creation of charter schools, the necessary underwriting criteria for a successful educational investment, and trending topics in the industry.
AIM Series – André Renaudo ’11, November 2023
Monmouth University’s Leon Hess Business School, West Long Branch, NJ
Academic Integrity – Issues and Solutions, October 2023
Northeast Business & Economics Association, Lafayette Hill, PA
- Co-presented on addressing issues of academic integrity in the classroom. Topics included the increasing use of artificial intelligence and the ways that learners exploit new technologies. The presentation was delivered at the NBEA’s 50th Annual Conference.
The Efficacy of Financial Literacy Programs, October 2023
Northeast Business & Economics Association, Lafayette Hill, PA
- Co-presented on research that looked at what parts of educational programs were effective at improving the financial literacy skills of their learners. Future research to be informed by this presentation will include assembling and testing a financial literacy program at select test sites. The presentation was delivered at the NBEA’s 50th Annual Conference.
Building a Sustainable Economy & Reducing Income Gaps Through Financial Literacy, June 2023
STAR Symposium, West Long Branch, NJ
- Co-presented on a paper that looked at the intrinsic link between financial literacy being taught in both traditional and non-traditional education settings and the development of a more sustainable economy as well as any related reduction in income gaps.
AIM Series – Brett Stevens ’08, April 2023
Monmouth University’s Leon Hess Business School, West Long Branch, NJ
Community Facilities & Economic Development, March 2023
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
- Guest lectured at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy’s Community Development Finance course. Topics included the history of education in America, how that history informed the creation of charter schools, the necessary underwriting criteria for a successful educational investment, and trending topics in the industry.
AIM Series – Sam Heuler ’09, November 2022
Monmouth University’s Leon Hess Business School, West Long Branch, NJ
DEI in the Classroom, September 2022
New Jersey Collegiate Business Administration Association, Quarterly Meeting
- Co-presented on a panel about bringing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into the classroom. Comments focused on the less seen aspects of DEI including physical abilities, cognitive and emotional differences, and creating a learning environment that does not show any socioeconomic favoritism or biases.
The AIM Series, April 2022
Leon Hess Business School, Research Seminar
- Presented on the history of the Alumni in Management (AIM) Series program. Topics included creating and designing a session, best practices for engaging students through remote technology, the use of AIM Series recordings for future classroom instruction, and the future plans for the AIM Series program.
Community Facilities & Economic Development, March 2022
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
- Guest lectured at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy’s Community Development Finance course. Topics included the history of education in America, how that history informed the creation of charter schools, the necessary underwriting criteria for a successful educational investment, and trending topics in the industry.
AIM Series – Katelyn Walsh ’14, ’15M, March 2022
Monmouth University’s Leon Hess Business School, West Long Branch, NJ
AIM Series – Graziella Ruffa ’16, November 2021
Monmouth University’s Leon Hess Business School, West Long Branch, NJ
Business & Community Impacts from COVID-19, November 2021
Northeast Business & Economics Association, 48th Annual Conference
- Co-presented on the business and community impacts caused from the COVID-19 pandemic. Focuses included the small business community and main streets being used in the social, physical, and economic re-opening of cities. Additional conversation included the use of transportation, healthy communities, and placemaking to revitalize communities. The discussion also included what it takes to support the small business community during a pandemic and other unforeseen events, lessons learned across the industry, and where opportunities exist to build a more resilient community infrastructure for the future. In addition, the panel talked about areas of future research.
AIM Series – Paul Salvesen ’08, October 2021
Monmouth University’s Leon Hess Business School, West Long Branch, NJ
Using Nontraditional Loan Funds for COVID-19 Small Business Recovery, October 2021
Institute of Behavioral and Applied Management, IBAM 28 Virtual Conference
- Co-presented on how nontraditional loan funds like community development financial institutions can and should be utilized to provide financial programming in the wake of natural and unplanned disasters. Specific topics included how New Jersey Community Capital developed its REBUILD New Jersey Fund after Superstorm Sandy in 2012 and then used those lessons learned to develop the Garden State Relief Fund at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also discussed areas of future research including analyzing data to determine populations impacted by these loan funds.
AIM Series – Louis Marinos ’14, September 2021
Monmouth University’s Leon Hess Business School, West Long Branch, NJ
A Tale of Two Bloustein Alums – How NJCC has Assisted Small Businesses in the Time of COVID, June 2021
EJB Talks, Interview
- Interviewed by the EJB Talks Podcast regarding New Jersey Community Capital’s Garden State Relief Fund. The discussion included how the COVID-19 pandemic forced NJCC to pivot its work and assist suffering small businesses. Also talked about where the work goes from here and how the Fund will remain in place and adapt to assist New Jersey’s small business as the economy continues to recover.
Creative Financing for Creative Placemaking, March 2021
National Consortium for Creative Placemaking, Creative Placemaking Leadership Summit (Watch on YouTube)
- Discussed how to scale creative ideas and engage in conversations with financing entities. Topics included how financing works in the creative space and how creative thinkers can make their idea(s) financially sustainable. Additional focus included proven methods of obtaining financing for creative projects, how and when to view creative projects as small business ventures, and what long-term financial sustainability looks like for creative placemaking.
Creative Placemaking, March 2021
Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Guest Lecture
- Prepared a guest lecture for a graduate-level class in Creative Placemaking. Topics included an understanding of the types of financing entities that are actively engaged in financing creative endeavors as well as how to scale creative ideas and engage in conversations with those financing entities. Additional conversation focused on how and when to view creative projects as small business ventures and what long-term financial sustainability looks like for creative placemaking.
Content Ambassador, August 2020
United States Department of Education, Annual Project Directors’ Meeting
- Served as an opinion provider for the content relate to the United States Department of Education’s (USED) annual Project Directors’ Meeting, to take place virtually for the first time in its history. This 10-day virtual conference brings together USED grantees from around the country to share best practices, new innovations, and areas of improvement.
The Garden State Relief Fund, April 2020
New Jersey Business and Industry Association, Statewide Zoom Meeting
- Presented on New Jersey Community Capital’s Garden State Relief Fund, which was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The presentation included a review of what the organization learned from its Superstorm Sandy response and how those lessons are being put to use in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional topics included how to utilize the Garden State Relief Fund to keep businesses operating, to keep people employed, and to sustain existing programs and initiatives.
The Garden State Relief Fund, April 2020
New Jersey Theatre Alliance, Statewide Zoom Meeting
- Presented on New Jersey Community Capital’s Garden State Relief Fund, which was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The presentation included a review of what the organization learned from its Superstorm Sandy response and how those lessons are being put to use in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional topics included how to utilize the Garden State Relief Fund to keep businesses operating, to keep people employed, and to sustain existing programs and initiatives.
Episode 21 – Starting an Emergency Loan Program, April 2020
Impact Lenders Podcast, Interview
- Interviewed by the Impact Lenders Podcast regarding New Jersey Community Capital’s Garden State Relief Fund, which was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The interview included a review of what the organization learned from its Superstorm Sandy response and how those lessons are being put to use in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Garden State Relief Fund, April 2020
Creative New Jersey, Statewide Zoom Meeting
- Presented on New Jersey Community Capital’s Garden State Relief Fund, which was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The presentation included a review of what the organization learned from its Superstorm Sandy response and how those lessons are being put to use in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional topics included how to utilize the Garden State Relief Fund to keep businesses operating, to keep people employed, and to sustain existing programs and initiatives.
Charter Schools & Community Facility Financing, April 2020
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
- Prepared a guest lecture for remote instruction for the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy’s Community Development Finance course on the topic of charter school financials and commercial real estate facilities. Discussion points included the history of education in America, strategies to underwrite charter schools, best practices in structuring transactions to maximize the financial benefit to the schools and their students, and a case study.
Understanding NJ’s Successful “Friends of” Facilities Financing Experiment, October 2019
New Jersey Charter Schools Association’s Annual Conference, Atlantic City, NJ
- Moderated a panel with an attorney and an owner’s representative on the topic of how “Friends of” entities have been successfully utilized around New Jersey to ensure that charter school facilities are developed within the State’s regulations. Topics included answers to common misconceptions and strategies on how to utilize a “Friends of” entity for real estate purposes in an effective manner.
Charter Schools & Community Facility Financing, April 2019
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
- Guest lectured at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy’s Community Development Finance course on the topic of charter school financials and commercial real estate facilities. Discussion points included the history of education in America, strategies to underwrite charter schools, best practices in structuring transactions to maximize the financial benefit to the schools and their students, and a case study.
Charter School Facilities & Financing, October 2018
New Jersey Charter Schools Association’s Annual Conference, Newark, NJ
- Co-led a discussion with three other Community Development Financial Institutions focusing on how to finance a facility project. Topics included the current landscape of financing products available to charter schools, how to utilize federal resources for local projects, and a table top discussions providing one-on-one technical assistance to attendees.
Episode 06 – Discussions on Charter School Lending, June 2018
Impact Lenders Podcast, Interview
- One of four lenders featured on the podcast, which was recorded at the National Charter Schools Conference. Topics included how the charter school lending market has changed over the last decade, what new players in the space can provide to charter schools, how to utilize federal programs to improve charter school facilities, and lessons learned from the first 20 years of charter school financial programs.
Rutgers Alumni Entrepreneur Panel, February 2018
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
- One of four entrepreneurs featured on a panel to discuss our experiences building a successful small business. Topics discussed included the communication gap that could exist between older entrepreneurs and their younger business partners, how to find well-priced, legitimate professional service providers like accountants and attorneys, common pitfalls in starting a successful enterprise, and competing on a global scale.
Charter Schools & New Markets Tax Credits, November 2017
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
- Guest lectured at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy’s Community Development Finance course on the topic of charter school financials. Discussion points included strategies to underwrite charter schools, best practices in structuring transactions to maximize the financial benefit to the schools and their students, and a case study utilizing New Markets Tax Credits.
Facility Financing Lessons from the Real World, October 2017
New Jersey Charter Schools Association’s Annual Conference, Newark, NJ
- Led a panel of experienced Community Development Financial Institutions to discuss the types of financing options available to charter schools and what concerns may arise during real facility projects. Topics included which loan products are typically available for certain projects, how guaranties are applied, and a discussion of standard rates and terms for each product.
Facility Financing 101, October 2017
New Jersey Charter Schools Association’s Annual Conference, Newark, NJ
- Co-led a discussion with a partner Community Development Financial Institution focusing on how to finance a facility project. Topics included the basics of the financing market for education facilities, how to utilize federal resources for local projects, and a discussion of which type of financing is best suited for each project.
A Conversation with Non-Traditional and Traditional Muni Buyers, September 2016
SMITH’s High-Yield Municipal Bond Conference, Greenwich, CT
- Participated on a panel with municipal buyers to represent the traditional charter school lending market. Topics included the differences between financing startup, intermediate, and experienced charter schools and which indicators lenders should focus on when determining whether or not to make an investment. The discussion also included methods that lenders can take to protect themselves from the risks inherent in charter school facility transactions.
Facility Financing, Leasing, and Ownership: The Next Step, May 2016
New Jersey Charter Schools Association’s Annual Conference, Atlantic City, NJ
- Participated on a panel of experienced charter school service providers, developers, and operators. Topics included the history of charter school facility financing in New Jersey, the current trends in the financial market related to charter schools, and what is on the horizon for those charter school entities with a desire to own their facility.
Putting Together a Winning Project Team, May 2016
New Jersey Charter Schools Association’s Annual Conference, Atlantic City, NJ
- Co-moderated a panel of experienced service providers with a focus on the technical aspects of completing a large-scale community facility project. Topics included which service providers are needed for different types of projects and what specifications a project team needs meet to work together successfully.
Creative Facility Financing for Charter Schools, May 2016
New Jersey Charter Schools Association’s Annual Conference, Atlantic City, NJ
- Participated on a panel of experienced Community Development Financial Institutions to discuss the types of financing options available to charter schools. Topics included which loan products are typically available for certain projects, how guaranties are applied, and a discussion of standard rates and terms for each product.
Facility Financing Fundamentals Workshop, June 2015
National Alliance for Public Charter Schools’ Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA
- Member of a 5-person team of national experts who presented a 2-hour training session focused on evaluating the credit worthiness of real charter schools. The structure of the workshop allowed the experts to work with real charter schools to talk about their equity base, surpluses, cash flow, and project affordability. Attendees left this session with a bottom line affordability number for their projects and a practical plan that ensures that all financing needs are met according to nationally accepted lending standards.
Essential Questions About Facility Finance, June 2015
National Alliance for Public Charter Schools’ Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA
- Member of a panel with three other nationally-recognized charter school lenders. The focus of the panel was to answer recurring questions about financing charter school facilities and provide guidance on which topics the attendees should discuss when talking with lenders.
Charter School Lenders’ Roundtable, March 2015
New Jersey Charter Schools Association’s Annual Conference, Atlantic City, NJ
- Member of a panel focused on discussing the financing environment for nonprofit-driven commercial projects, how interest rates are being calculated in the market, and what the appetite was among nonprofit and for-profit lenders for education-related facility debt.
Putting Together a Winning Project Team, March 2015
New Jersey Charter Schools Association’s Annual Conference, Atlantic City, NJ
- Co-moderated a panel of experienced service providers with a focus on the technical aspects of completing a large-scale community facility project. Topics included which service providers are needed for different types of projects and what specifications a project team needs meet to work together successfully.
The Benefits & Economic Impact of Child Care Services for Towns, November 2014
New Jersey State League of Municipalities’ Annual Conference, Atlantic City, NJ
- Member of a panel of experts including representatives from Rutgers University and a leading community development corporation from Newark; focus of the panel was to discuss the financial benefits to municipalities of having high quality early education centers located in their jurisdictions.
Essential Questions About Facility Finance, July 2014
National Alliance for Public Charter Schools’ Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV
- Member of a panel with three other nationally-recognized charter school lenders. The focus of the panel was to answer recurring questions about financing charter school facilities and provide guidance on which topics the attendees should discuss when talking with lenders.
Nonprofit Lenders’ Roundtable, April 2014
New Jersey Charter Schools Association’s Annual Conference, Atlantic City, NJ
- Moderator and member of the panel. The panel discussed the financing environment for nonprofit-driven commercial projects, how interest rates are currently being calculated in the market, and what the appetite was among nonprofit and for-profit lenders for education-related facility debt.
Project Directors’ Conference, September 2013
United States Department of Education’s Annual Project Directors’ Conference, Washington, DC
- Led a series of small-group discussions and breakout sessions at the United States Department of Education’s annual Project Directors’ conference. Topics included organizational structuring for financial excellence and preparing for new facility growth.
Charter School Facility Financing, July 2013
National Alliance for Public Charter Schools’ Annual Conference, Washington, DC
- Member of a four-person panel discussing the basic criteria for a charter school or related entity to qualify for facility financing.
Financing Charter School Facilities, June 2013
National Charter School Resource Center, National Webinar, Washington, DC
- Led a national webinar with two additional panelists focused on providing basic and intermediate-level information for charter schools and related entities seeking to acquire, renovate, or build a new facility. Topics included credit standards, underwriting requirements, and pro forma expense planning.