Small Business, Big Opportunity: Expanding Access Through Partnership

Small businesses play a vital role in building financial stability and stronger communities. Yet many entrepreneurs still face barriers to accessing capital, loan approvals, and trusted education to prepare for business financing.

In this webinar, GreenPath will share how our partners can help their members and customers build confidence, strengthen their business case, and connect with reputable resources before seeking funding.

We will share how GreenPath developed the new Small Business Bootcamp e-learning courses with input from financial institution experts and small business owners, and how these courses can support stronger access to business funding.

What You Will Learn

• Why small business support matters for members, customers, and communities
• How GreenPath designed the Small Business Bootcamp courses with partner and small business owner input
• How partners can use these resources to help entrepreneurs prepare for funding conversations

Who Should Attend?

• Commercial loan officers and business lending specialists
• Financial educators
• Anyone supporting entrepreneurs or small business owners seeking funding

About Edgar Hernandez

Edgar leads the company’s first Multicultural & DEI Advisory Services team.  He is passionate about using innovation, behavioral science, and data analytics to improve the financial well-being of underserved communities.

Prior to this role, Edgar worked for Delve, a top-tier design and innovation firm that helps Fortune 500 firms and start-ups launch game-changing products.  He also spent 9 years at American Family Insurance, where he was recruited to join their first Client Research team, first Customer Experience team, and once again, the company’s first Innovation team.

Edgar received his bachelor’s in finance from Iowa State; his MBA in from University of Wisconsin-Madison; and a Certificate in Strategic Decision and Risk Management from Stanford University.  In 2023, he was named among Wisconsin’s 40 Most Influential Latino Leaders.

In his spare time Edgar enjoys spending time with his family; serving at a bilingual church; and dancing to Latin and Tango music.

About Azra Saimee

Azra Samiee is Inclusiv’s Director of Small Business Development and Lending, where she leads efforts to expand and strengthen small business lending across the network. In this role, she supports the implementation of Inclusiv’s Business Forward program, Small Business Capital Initiative Training and works to drive loan participation and mission-driven lending.

With over 15 years of experience in economic development, Azra has a strong track record of building mission-driven programs that support entrepreneurs and small business ecosystems. Prior to joining Inclusiv, she led small business programming at a NYC based nonprofit, where she helped entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses through integrated workforce and capital access strategies.

Azra is known for turning strategy into action and building partnerships across sectors that create lasting, meaningful change for the communities she serves.

About Armand Parvazi

A second-generation credit union professional, Armand Parvazi has spent 15 years in senior leadership driving growth and innovation across the credit union movement. He serves as Strategic Advisor for CUCollaborate, helping credit unions find success in growing and serving members.

Prior to joining CUCollaborate, Armand served in executive leadership at a CDFI-certified credit union, where he led growth initiatives that grew assets by over 60% and secured millions of dollars in grant funding to expand access and impact for underserved members.

Armand is also a longtime advocate for the credit union movement, both in his home state and on Capitol Hill. His leadership has been recognized nationally, including being named NAFCU’s Professional of the Year and a CU Times Luminaries Rising Star. Armand holds numerous certifications, including being a Certified Credit Union Executive (CCUE) and Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE).