Roundtable: Access to Funding, Community Initiatives, and State and Federal Opportunities for Sustainable Development

Session Objective: This roundtable will explore the challenges and opportunities for accessing funding to support local initiatives. The moderators will lead a discussion covering practical experiences in accessing funds that meet community needs, as well as discussing the necessary support to strengthen these efforts from various sectors, including nonprofit organizations, political engagement, the private sector, and higher education institutions. The participating audience will have the opportunity to make interventions for questions or to enrich the dialogue of the roundtable.

Co-Moderadors:

Nilsa Medina Piña	Doctor Carlos Vargas Ramos
Retired professor from the University of Puerto Rico, author, and recognized for her extensive background in community leadership and economic development. Dr. Medina Piña has tirelessly worked on projects related to Special Communities both at the island level and in the Municipality of San Juan, bringing her vast knowledge and experience to strengthen resilient communities. > Learn More	Director of Public Policy, External Relations, and Media, and Development at the Center for Puerto Rican Studies. A political scientist by training, he is co-editor of Los puertorriqueños en el amanecer del nuevo milenio and author of studies such as “El papel de los actores estatales en el largo siglo de migración de Puerto Rico,” part of the work Migraciones caribeñas: Los legados del colonialismo (2020). His deep focus and analysis will enrich the discussion with political and community development perspectives. > Learn More

Nilsa Medina Piña

Doctor Carlos Vargas Ramos

Retired professor from the University of Puerto Rico, author, and recognized for her extensive background in community leadership and economic development. Dr. Medina Piña has tirelessly worked on projects related to Special Communities both at the island level and in the Municipality of San Juan, bringing her vast knowledge and experience to strengthen resilient communities.

> Learn More

Director of Public Policy, External Relations, and Media, and Development at the Center for Puerto Rican Studies. A political scientist by training, he is co-editor of Los puertorriqueños en el amanecer del nuevo milenio and author of studies such as “El papel de los actores estatales en el largo siglo de migración de Puerto Rico,” part of the work Migraciones caribeñas: Los legados del colonialismo (2020). His deep focus and analysis will enrich the discussion with political and community development perspectives.

> Learn More

Panelists:

Non-profit Organizations

Anahí Lazarte Morales	América Cañas
Co-Director of Communications, Strategy, and Development at HASER. Anahí has a strong background in building support networks and developing effective strategies for the growth of grassroots organizations. In her role at HASER, she has played a key role in facilitating fiscal sponsorship services and strategic development, contributing to the strengthening of community resilience and promoting initiatives focused on sustainability and social justice. HASER has established itself as a leader in promoting innovative and equitable solutions for communities. Her experience will provide enriching insights on how organizations can act as catalysts for community development and sustainability. > Learn More	Senior Vice President of Education Equity & Justice and Opportunity at United Way of New York City. América has dedicated her career to designing and leading programs that foster educational equity and social justice. Currently, she leads strategic initiatives that strengthen the capacity of community organizations to maximize their impact, ensuring inclusive and sustainable development. United Way of New York City is recognized for its comprehensive support to organizations through funding, guidance, and fiscal sponsorship functions, enabling communities to access key resources and opportunities for their progress. América's participation in the roundtable will provide valuable insights on how equity and justice initiatives can be effectively integrated into community development and sustainability projects. > Learn More

Anahí Lazarte Morales

América Cañas

Co-Director of Communications, Strategy, and Development at HASER. Anahí has a strong background in building support networks and developing effective strategies for the growth of grassroots organizations. In her role at HASER, she has played a key role in facilitating fiscal sponsorship services and strategic development, contributing to the strengthening of community resilience and promoting initiatives focused on sustainability and social justice. HASER has established itself as a leader in promoting innovative and equitable solutions for communities. Her experience will provide enriching insights on how organizations can act as catalysts for community development and sustainability.

> Learn More

Senior Vice President of Education Equity & Justice and Opportunity at United Way of New York City. América has dedicated her career to designing and leading programs that foster educational equity and social justice. Currently, she leads strategic initiatives that strengthen the capacity of community organizations to maximize their impact, ensuring inclusive and sustainable development. United Way of New York City is recognized for its comprehensive support to organizations through funding, guidance, and fiscal sponsorship functions, enabling communities to access key resources and opportunities for their progress. América's participation in the roundtable will provide valuable insights on how equity and justice initiatives can be effectively integrated into community development and sustainability projects.

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Both panelists will enrich the roundtable with their perspectives and experiences in supporting and strengthening community organizations, highlighting how strategic collaboration and fiscal sponsorship can enhance access to resources and foster sustainable and inclusive development.

Financial Sector

Lic. René A. Vargas Martínez	Rafael A. Roger
Vice President of the Puerto Rico and USVI Network at Inclusiv. René plays a crucial role in promoting financial inclusion for Hispanic and immigrant communities, leading initiatives that strengthen credit unions in Puerto Rico. His experience spans customer service in credit institutions and student affairs management at the University of Puerto Rico, where he held leadership positions such as Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Director of the Student Advocate Office. His participation in the roundtable will enrich the conversation with his knowledge on strengthening community institutions to facilitate access to financial resources and promote sustainable development. > Learn More	President of the Business Initiative Corporation of New York (BICNY). Rafael will share his experience in developing SBA 504 loans, a key instrument to support entrepreneurs and businesses seeking to finance their growth and promote sustainability in communities like the Bronx. His leadership at BICNY and his deep knowledge of regulatory compliance ensure that financing processes adhere to the highest regulatory standards and transparency practices. His contribution to the roundtable will provide a valuable perspective on how to access and manage state and federal funds effectively to enhance economic and community development. > Learn More

Lic. René A. Vargas Martínez

Rafael A. Roger

Vice President of the Puerto Rico and USVI Network at Inclusiv. René plays a crucial role in promoting financial inclusion for Hispanic and immigrant communities, leading initiatives that strengthen credit unions in Puerto Rico. His experience spans customer service in credit institutions and student affairs management at the University of Puerto Rico, where he held leadership positions such as Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Director of the Student Advocate Office. His participation in the roundtable will enrich the conversation with his knowledge on strengthening community institutions to facilitate access to financial resources and promote sustainable development.

> Learn More

President of the Business Initiative Corporation of New York (BICNY). Rafael will share his experience in developing SBA 504 loans, a key instrument to support entrepreneurs and businesses seeking to finance their growth and promote sustainability in communities like the Bronx. His leadership at BICNY and his deep knowledge of regulatory compliance ensure that financing processes adhere to the highest regulatory standards and transparency practices. His contribution to the roundtable will provide a valuable perspective on how to access and manage state and federal funds effectively to enhance economic and community development.

> Learn More

Both panelists will share their expertise in strengthening financial support networks and community development strategies, contributing to the exploration of innovative and sustainable solutions in Puerto RicoAmbos panelistas aportarán su experiencia en el fortalecimiento de redes de apoyo financiero y estrategias de desarrollo comunitario, contribuyendo a la exploración de soluciones innovadoras y sostenibles en Puerto Rico.

Higher Education Institution

Dr. Julie L. Gafney
Associate Vice President for Strategic Mission Initiatives/Executive Director for The Center for Community Engaged Learning. She co-leads the Thriving Communities Grantmaker Project and is the Principal Investigator for Region 2, leading a $50 million initiative aimed at promoting environmental justice initiatives in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As Associate Vice President for Strategic Mission Initiatives at Fordham University, she directs various strategic planning processes. This year, she launched the Bronx Research Institute for Community Solutions (BRICS), a public-impact research center focused on collaborating with lawmakers and community leaders to utilize higher education for the transformation of the Bronx. Her leadership includes Fordham's green action planning and implementing environmental justice initiatives, being the author of Fordham's seven-year Green Plan and chair of the university's Sustainability Council. > Learn More

Dr. Julie L. Gafney

Associate Vice President for Strategic Mission Initiatives/Executive Director for The Center for Community Engaged Learning. She co-leads the Thriving Communities Grantmaker Project and is the Principal Investigator for Region 2, leading a $50 million initiative aimed at promoting environmental justice initiatives in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As Associate Vice President for Strategic Mission Initiatives at Fordham University, she directs various strategic planning processes. This year, she launched the Bronx Research Institute for Community Solutions (BRICS), a public-impact research center focused on collaborating with lawmakers and community leaders to utilize higher education for the transformation of the Bronx. Her leadership includes Fordham's green action planning and implementing environmental justice initiatives, being the author of Fordham's seven-year Green Plan and chair of the university's Sustainability Council.

> Learn More

Public Policy

Rep. José "Che" Pérez	Víctor M. Pichardo
Representative for Accumulation in the Puerto Rico House of Representatives. With a background in law and experience as a martial arts educator, Representative Pérez has stood out in the legislature for his focus on environmental protection, consumer rights advocacy, and the promotion of sports development on the island. During his term, he has pushed for key legislation to protect Puerto Rico's natural resources and coastlines, as well as measures to promote sustainable tourism and economic development. Additionally, his legislative work extends to improving services and support for the correctional population and creating initiatives for youth crime prevention, thereby strengthening the juvenile justice system on the island. Representative Pérez's participation in the roundtable will enrich the conversation with a legislative perspective on how sustainable development can be integrated into public policy and the economy of Puerto Rico. His focus on social justice and sustainability provides a comprehensive model for addressing environmental and social challenges in the region, and his knowledge of environmental legislation and resource protection will contribute valuable insights on funding opportunities and the necessary policies to promote sustainable local initiatives. His contribution will be key to exploring how legislation can serve as a tool for structural change and equitable development, promoting a more resilient and just future for the communities of Puerto Rico. > Learn More	Vice President of Community and Government Affairs at St. Barnabas Hospital and former Democratic member of the New York State Assembly, where he represented District 86 in the Bronx, which includes communities such as Morris Heights, Mount Eden, Kingsbridge, Tremont, and Fordham. Pichardo holds a B.A. in communications from the State University of New York at Buffalo and began his career working with U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, first as a staff assistant and later as Community Outreach Coordinator. During this time, he actively participated in key reforms such as Comprehensive Immigration Reform, the DREAM Act, and the Affordable Care Act. He later served as Associate Director of Public Relations at Mercy College and as Director of Community Affairs with State Senator Gustavo Rivera. Pichardo's vast experience in public policy, community relations, and legislative advocacy allows him to provide a unique perspective on collaboration between government institutions and the community. His participation in the roundtable will offer a deep focus on how community initiatives and public policies can integrate to facilitate access to resources and strengthen community resilience, contributing to sustainable development in vulnerable areas. His contribution will enrich the discussion with practical examples of how cross-sector partnerships and legislative experience can be powerful tools to promote equitable and sustainable development. > Learn More

Rep. José "Che" Pérez

Víctor M. Pichardo

Representative for Accumulation in the Puerto Rico House of Representatives. With a background in law and experience as a martial arts educator, Representative Pérez has stood out in the legislature for his focus on environmental protection, consumer rights advocacy, and the promotion of sports development on the island. During his term, he has pushed for key legislation to protect Puerto Rico's natural resources and coastlines, as well as measures to promote sustainable tourism and economic development. Additionally, his legislative work extends to improving services and support for the correctional population and creating initiatives for youth crime prevention, thereby strengthening the juvenile justice system on the island.

Representative Pérez's participation in the roundtable will enrich the conversation with a legislative perspective on how sustainable development can be integrated into public policy and the economy of Puerto Rico. His focus on social justice and sustainability provides a comprehensive model for addressing environmental and social challenges in the region, and his knowledge of environmental legislation and resource protection will contribute valuable insights on funding opportunities and the necessary policies to promote sustainable local initiatives.

His contribution will be key to exploring how legislation can serve as a tool for structural change and equitable development, promoting a more resilient and just future for the communities of Puerto Rico.

> Learn More

Vice President of Community and Government Affairs at St. Barnabas Hospital and former Democratic member of the New York State Assembly, where he represented District 86 in the Bronx, which includes communities such as Morris Heights, Mount Eden, Kingsbridge, Tremont, and Fordham. Pichardo holds a B.A. in communications from the State University of New York at Buffalo and began his career working with U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, first as a staff assistant and later as Community Outreach Coordinator. During this time, he actively participated in key reforms such as Comprehensive Immigration Reform, the DREAM Act, and the Affordable Care Act. He later served as Associate Director of Public Relations at Mercy College and as Director of Community Affairs with State Senator Gustavo Rivera.

Pichardo's vast experience in public policy, community relations, and legislative advocacy allows him to provide a unique perspective on collaboration between government institutions and the community. His participation in the roundtable will offer a deep focus on how community initiatives and public policies can integrate to facilitate access to resources and strengthen community resilience, contributing to sustainable development in vulnerable areas.

His contribution will enrich the discussion with practical examples of how cross-sector partnerships and legislative experience can be powerful tools to promote equitable and sustainable development.

> Learn More