Monthly Topical Call – September 2026 – Twin Cities Builds Credit

Tuesday, September 15 at 12:00 p.m. 

Part of the Minnesota CDFI Coalition’s work is to provide space for connection and collaboration, and the Monthly Topical Calls are themed along an area of work or interest.

This summer saw the launch of Twin Cities Builds Credit, an initiative designed to help more residents become financially empowered by expanding access to credit-building education, resources, and tools—right where people already turn for support: schools, community centers, libraries, health clinics, and local nonprofits. Stewarded by Neighborhood Development Alliance, Inc., this initiative is in partnership with Exodus Lending and others locally, and with Credit Builders Alliance nationally. Join the conversation to learn more about the partnership and resources available, how credit-building supports CDFI work, and bring your programs and ideas!

If you have a question you want to ask in particular, send it to Carl Swanson at carl@mncdficoalition.org.

María Steffel
Executive Director, NeDA
María is a Mexican-born leader with more than 25 years of experience serving immigrant and underserved communities in the Twin Cities. As Executive Director of NeDA, she brings both lived experience and deep professional expertise in finance and business administration to her work. María has spent her career ensuring that Spanish-speaking families have fair access to housing, financial tools, and community resources. Her leadership centers culturally rooted, bilingual outreach and strong partnerships with community leaders who reflect the neighborhoods NeDA serves.

Anne Leland
Executive Director, Exodus Lending
Anne Leland joined Exodus Lending as Executive Director in 2022 after serving on the board for 4 years. Anne is an experienced and passionate advocate for financial inclusion and economic justice. For the previous decade, she worked as the Financial Capability + Learning Director at Prepare + Prosper designing and supporting financial coaching and inclusion programs. Before that she earned her Masters Degree in Public Policy from the Humphrey School and ran an English school for immigrant and refugee adults.