Last week, CAMEO Network staff Adriana Williams, Baldev Birk, Caleb Ostrander, Carolina Martinez, Douglas Craven and Emily Gasner joined over 2,000 community development professionals in Washington, D.C. for the 2025 Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) Conference—including many of our members. The event brought together CDFIs, community lenders, and advocates from across the nation to exchange ideas, celebrate accomplishments, and explore what’s next for the field.
Common Themes: AI, Shared Services, and Consolidation
Across sessions and conversations, three themes stood out: artificial intelligence (AI), the growing importance of shared services, and industry consolidation.
As the field continues to evolve, CDFIs are grappling with how to harness AI responsibly to improve operations and client service. Further conversations are needed to ensure clean data, staff training, and sound policies are in place before implementation.
CAMEO Network’s Shared Services Cohort convened during the conference to mark three successful years of our pilot program. As we prepare to make these services available to a broader group of CDFIs and nonprofits, it was energizing to hear directly from cohort members about the impact of our work. As one participant, Markeisha Johnson of InclusiFi, put it: “We’ve been indulging in the services.”
At the OFN Conference, presenters and attendees discussed how mergers can help CDFIs scale and increase their impact by expanding access to larger pools of capital, often at the same or lower cost. Mergers can also enable CDFIs to reach more communities with much needed products and services.
Celebrating Industry Leadership
During the annual CDFI Women’s Network Breakfast, industry trailblazers Donna Gambrell, Mary Fran Riley, and Deborah McKetty were honored as they prepare to retire after more than 35 years of leadership. Their reflections on commitment, connection, and confidence resonated deeply with attendees, reinforcing the power of mentorship and community in advancing economic opportunity.
A big congratulations to Donna Gambrell (Appalachian Community Capital) who received the Ned Gramlich Lifetime Achievement Award for Responsible Finance.
We also celebrated the leadership and accomplishments of our community—specifically, Working Solutions CDFI. CEO Sara Razavi completed six years of service on the OFN Board of Directors, and passed the torch to Chief Program Officer and Acting Chief Lending Officer Titi Ikhile, who was elected to the Board to continue representing the small business voice as well as the California perspective.
Connecting with Our Network
Our team connected with CAMEO Network members and partners from across the country, including participants from CDFI Essentials, Microlending Essentials, and the National CDFI Academy courses. These face-to-face interactions helped us think more strategically for CAMEO Network’s 2026 training calendar, including topics like business intelligence, AI policy, post-loan technical assistance, and mergers and acquisitions.
Celebrating Impact and Growth
Beyond the conference, we joined a California CDFI reception hosted by Inclusive Action for the City, Pacific Community Ventures, Genesis LA, Working Solutions, and Community Vision. We were also inspired by a dinner hosted by the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) at La Cosecha food hall, where small business tenants supported by LEDC have come together to give back to their community through a collective charitable effort.
Two organizations that have engaged with CAMEO Network’s trainings and services were recognized at the OFN Awards Reception:
- Northwest Access Fund (MILES participant and consulting client) received the Emerging Growth CDFI Award.
- LiftFund earned the Outstanding CDFI Award.
Continuing the Work Together
From shared services to AI integration, from capitalization to collaboration, the conference reinforced what makes this industry so pivotal: its collective commitment to innovation and community impact. As Douglas put it, “Coming together as a group makes this moment and the changing federal landscape feel a little less isolating and a lot more collaborative.”
CAMEO Network is proud to stand alongside our partners and members as we continue to improve the CDFI ecosystem and support entrepreneurs nationwide.