Dear Clients and Friends,
As a founder of RSF Social Finance and board chair, I have had the privilege of watching RSF broaden its reach and deepen its commitment to investors, donors, social enterprises, and the field. 2017 was an exceptional year, and we are all excited for the momentum to continue.
I am very pleased to announce a decision that marks the next step for RSF. On May 18, the board of trustees elected Ron Alston as the new board chair. I will remain on the board and am looking forward to supporting Ron in his new role.
Ron has served on RSF’s board of trustees since 2009. During this time, he demonstrated his deep commitment to RSF’s mission and values. He brings extensive banking experience, both in nonprofit and for-profit fields, and is a passionate supporter of social enterprise initiatives.
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Ron is Senior Vice President of the Not-for-Profit and Government Banking Group at SunTrust Bank. He is a father of three boys who all attended the Waldorf School of Atlanta where his wife is enrollment director and a core faculty member.
His level-headed leadership, expertise, and sense of humor will continue to benefit RSF in the years to come. Please join me and his fellow board members in welcoming Ron to his new position.
In gratitude,
Mark A. Finser
On behalf of the RSF Social Finance staff, I’d like to thank Mark and congratulate Ron.
Mark has been key to RSF for the last 34 years: as a founder, a CEO, trustee, and board chair, but mostly as chief field builder and connector. For all that Mark has done for the wider movement and for RSF, we are deeply grateful.
We are all thrilled that Ron was confirmed as our new board chair. His expertise and commitment have been apparent over the years as he served as chair of the board’s Audit Finance Committee and the Board Loan Committee.
RSF’s loan program is experiencing unprecedented demand from a growing community of social enterprises seeking to partner with values-aligned financial institutions. With over thirty years of banking experience, Ron is well positioned to support RSF in this time of remarkable growth.
As Ron shared with me, “I am excited to take on this new role as board chair with RSF to partner with you, the executive team, and board of trustees to chart the future of the organization. I look forward to deepening our commitment to connect social entrepreneurs to the funds and resources they need, providing opportunities for people to find joy in investing and giving, and bringing our community together in ways that help all participants develop more meaningful relationships with money.”
We look forward to Ron’s leadership on the board and to working with him on furthering RSF’s mission in the world.
In community,
Jasper J. van Brakel, CEO
