FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2026
Open Access Announces Its 2026 Fellowship Cohort, Approaching Nearly 130 Community Development Finance Fellows in Six Years
Nationwide – Open Access, a groundbreaking initiative launched in 2020 committed to increasing the talent pipeline in the Community Development Finance (CDF) sector, announces its 2026 fellows, representing the sixth cohort to enter the field through the program.
Open Access aims to increase the representation of diverse professionals in the community development finance industry, encompassing areas such as New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC), Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), Historic Tax Credits (HTC), and the Energy/Renewables sector of tax credits financing.
Distinguished by its transformative approach, Open Access targets early to mid-career professionals, providing sustained support, mentorship, and sponsorship. The program’s objective is to empower professionals across various levels, cultivating future decision-makers who will contribute to a more diverse and inclusive industry and is an innovative contribution to workforce development in the CDFI space.
The program offers a comprehensive learning experience, including 10+ hours of free online industry training, access to webinars and conferences, a 160-hour paid fellowship, and attendance at the prestigious Novogradac conference. Successful participants will be awarded a certificate of training completion by Novogradac.
With a 76% successful job placement rate, Open Access hopes to continue to provide new career opportunities for its fellows. Below is a list of this summer’s fellows and their host organizations:
- Viviana Addo: RDF
- Solomon Adedoyin: New Jersey Community Capital
- Jamesena Bradley: Cherry Bekaert
- Sandra Cach: REAL
- Ernesto Cruz: Platform for Social Impact
- Jamila Danzy: National Equity Fund
- Rex Delos Santos: Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) NJ
- Empress Henry Logan: Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition
- Gina Mancuso: Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing
- Daquane Mays: TruFund Financial Services
- Sana Mohamed: Stonehenge Capital
- Jamilur Rahman: Nonprofit Finance Fund
- Yasmin Rucker: Baker Tilly
- Amara Thompkins: Monge Capital
- Marco Villegas: Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone
- Chase Wheeler: Rise Community Capital
- Ross Williams: National Trust Community Investment Corporation
- Crystal Windless: Chicago Community Loan Fund
“Open Access has proven that investing in untapped talent is a boon to this industry,” said Jeffrey Monge, co-founder and board co-chair of Open Access.
“The future of community development finance depends on people who understand the communities they serve,” he added.
“Open Access fellows and alumni are not just participants in the field; they are reshaping it. They are leading innovative projects, influencing capital flows, and serving as bridges between financial systems and historically marginalized communities,” said Gina Nisbeth, co-founder and board co-chair of Open Access.
“The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program was designed to increase access to financial capital in communities that often lack critical gap financing,” said Laurel Tinsley, partner at Cherry Bekaert Advisory, LLC.
“This limited access to capital is frequently compounded by a lack of technical expertise and training opportunities to help people and organizations navigate complex financial structures like NMTCs. The Open Access program complements the NMTC program by providing intensive education and job training to individuals who might not otherwise have access to these opportunities, thereby strengthening both the financial and human capital within underserved communities,” she continued.
For more information about Open Access, visit www.open-access.us
Open Access financial sponsors for 2026 include Novogradac, US Bank, and Charles Schwab.
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2026 Open Access Fellows
