Amir Kirkwood

As President and CEO of Virginia Community Capital, Amir Kirkwood leads the organization in its mission to promote an enhanced quality of life for the communities VCC Social Enterprises (VCCSE) serves. Amir has more than 20 years of banking and economic development finance experience. Prior to joining VCCSE, he served Opportunity Finance Network as Chief Investment and Network Officer. Amir was also responsible for management of all membership related operations including investment portfolio management, membership services, peer learning and programs and research. Amir helped the firm raise capital to support long term financing needs of the CDFI industry and was responsible for management of OFN’s $900 million of investments in CDFIs. He was a member of the Investment Committee and Credit Review Committee where he assisted the firm in risk and portfolio management.

Prior to OFN, Amir was First Vice President, Business Development where he was responsible for originations supporting Amalgamated Bank’s mission and impact banking goals. Internally, Amir worked across departments to develop Amalgamated Bank’s first Board approved credit policy for mission lending. Prior to Amalgamated Bank, Amir served as Partner at Next Street, playing various roles to support business development and client management, with a focus on financial services and financial intermediaries. Before Next Street, Amir was a Director in Citigroup’s Municipal Securities Division working as a relationship banker for Citi Community Capital. He managed origination with municipal agencies, CDFIs, intermediary lenders, Community Development Corporations, and nonprofits within target markets across the United States.

Amir is actively engaged in several volunteer activities that support community and economic development. He sits on several boards, including the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, Hot Bread Kitchen, ROC USA, Pacific Community Ventures and the Community Fund Board for Habitat for Humanity New York.

Amir holds a B.A. in Political Science from Aurora University and completed graduate studies in economic policy management at Columbia University.