Elyse Cherry is Chief Executive Officer of Boston Community Capital (BCC), and the President of Boston Community Venture Fund. Ms. Cherry helped found BCC in 1984 as a member of its original Board of Directors. Since then, Ms. Cherry has been integrally involved in the development and growth of the organization from a start-up organization to what is, today, a national model for community investment. During Ms. Cherry’s eleven-year tenure as CEO, she has spearheaded two successful rounds of aggressively implemented strategic planning and has grown assets under management by a factor of more than thirty. Under her leadership, BCC has grown from a single, debt-based business line to a multi-tiered organization that includes two double bottom-line venture funds, a national tax credit program, a mortgage brokerage aimed at creating transparency in the residential mortgage industry, and an alternative energy initiative focused on controlling utility costs in multi-family affordable housing developments. Among other activities, BCC now has invested more than $370 million in low-income communities, has financed more than 8,500 affordable homes and 500,000 square feet of inner city commercial real estate, has invested in more than twenty companies, and has created or preserved 1,300 jobs. Since 1992, Ms. Cherry has served on the boards of directors of more than a dozen privately held companies including Pilgrim Insurance Company, ZipCar, and Acelero Learning. In addition, Ms. Cherry is an active civic leader. She served as a member of Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick’s nineteen-member statewide transition team. She is the current Chair of the Massachusetts Cultural Council and a recent past Chair of Mass Equality, an organization dedicated to the establishment and protection of civil marriage for the GLBT community. She has also served as Vice Chair of Opportunity Finance Network, a national organization of community finance intermediaries. Among other appointments, she is a member of the Boards of Wall Street Without Walls and The Philanthropic Initiative, the Dean’s Council of Northeastern University Law School, the Mission Driven Investment Committee of the Kellogg Foundation, and the external Board of the Institute for Global Leadership at Tufts University. Ms. Cherry is a frequent panelist and speaker at national conferences. She is also an avid traveler, particularly in the developing world. Ms. Cherry is an attorney and a former partner at the law firm of Hale and Dorr, now known as Wilmer Hale, where her transactional practice focused on commercial real estate finance and development. In 1992, Ms. Cherry left Hale and Dorr to become Vice President and Counsel of SRB Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Plymouth Rock Assurance Corporation. She subsequently served as CEO of Earthwide Products Corporation, an investment fund targeting environmental businesses. Early in her career, Ms. Cherry served as a field examiner at the New England region of the National Labor Relations Board and as a VISTA volunteer in rural Tennessee. Ms. Cherry is a graduate of Wellesley College (1975) and the Northeastern University School of Law, where she recently delivered the student commencement address.

Phone: 617-427-8600 x208
Email: echerry@bostoncommunitycapital.org

DeWitt (Dick) Jones is Executive Vice President of Boston Community Capital and serves as President of BCC’s Boston Community Managed Assets and Solar Energy Advantage (SEA) affiliates. Under his leadership, SEA has developed approximately 1 megawatt of PV capacity on affordable housing developments across Massachusetts, representing a 17% increase in total solar PV capacity in the state. SEA is the largest solar PV power purchase provider for affordable housing in Massachusetts. He has served as a member of BCC’s leadership team since it was established in 1984. Dick leads and oversees BCC’s sustainable development activities, including the Green Building Production Network, BCC’s Sustainable Housing and Communities Initiative and its affordable housing and renewable energy initiative with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and Mass Housing Partnership. Prior to joining Boston Community Capital, Jones was Executive Director of the Massachusetts Urban Reinvestment Advisory Group and served as a VISTA volunteer from 1980-1981. A founding member of the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), and served on its board from 1988-1996 where he chaired its Financial Services and Public Affairs committees. From 1991-1998, Dick was co-owner and treasurer of Maria and Ricardo's Tortilla Factory, a national industry leader located in Boston's inner-city.  Dick serves as a director of the Boston Community Venture Fund and Boston Community Loan Fund and chairs the board of Boston Day and Evening Academy, a public charter high school serving over-age high school students.  He is the former treasurer of the Center for Women and Enterprise, a regional women’s business development center.  He has served on Boston Mayor Menino’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on Housing Finance and as Board president of the Penikese Island School.  He is a graduate of Harvard College and its Kennedy School of Government. He is a resident of the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts.  In 2008, Dick and his wife, Viki Bok, received the City of Boston’s Green Residential Award.

Direct Phone: 617-427-3580
Email: djones@bostoncommunitycapital.org

Rebecca Regan joined Boston Community Capital in 2005.  As Chief Operating Officer for Boston Community Capital, she is responsible for the organizational management aspects of BCC's operations and provides leadership and coordination in the administrative, business planning, financial management and budgeting efforts of the organization.  As President of the Loan Fund, she has overall responsibility for the Loan Fund’s lending activities, including raising capital, staff training and supervision, production, financial management, building external relationships and new business lines, loan and portfolio monitoring, and social impact reporting.  She directs Loan Committee meetings and reports on Loan Fund results to the BCC Board of Directors.  Becky brings to her position more than 15 years of experience in commercial real estate lending, with a focus on community development.  Prior to joining Boston Community Capital, she was Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager for Bank of America formerly Fleet Bank (1999-2005), and prior to that she held lending and management positions in Commercial Real Estate at Bank of Boston (1996-1999), BayBank (1991-1995) and Eastland Savings Bank (1989-1991).  Becky is on the Board of Directors of New Ecology, Inc., a nonprofit organization that seeks to become a catalyst for sustainable development in cities by promoting best practice and information exchange among three constituencies - CDCs, private developers, and universities - as well as public policy networks.  She is a member of New England Women in Real Estate (NEWIRE) and the Investment Committee of City Mission Society.  She is a former elected member of the Town of Wayland Planning Board.  Rebecca graduated with a Masters in Business Administration from Babson College and a Bachelor of Sciences degree from the Boston University School of Management.

Direct Phone: 617-933-5852
Email: rlregan@bostoncommunitycapital.org

Matthew Aliberti
Loan Officer

Matt joined Boston Community Capital in February, 2008 as a Loan Officer.  He markets Boston Community Loan Fund to potential borrowers, underwrites loan requests, and conducts ongoing portfolio management.  Previously, Matt worked for Rhode Island Housing as a Development Officer and for the City of Boston 's Department of Neighborhood Development as a Housing Development Officer.  A native of Maine, he has a bachelor's degree from Harvard University and a Master's in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan.

direct phone: 617-427-3565
email: maliberti@bostoncommunitycapital.org

Gail joined Boston Community Capital in January 2007. As Portfolio Manager for the Loan Fund, she monitors covenant compliance and trends within the existing loan portfolio, conducts status reviews, and develops reporting practices focusing on the social and environmental impact of Boston Community Loan Fund’s holdings. Prior to joining BCLF, Gail worked in the Low Income Housing Tax Credit field, in both asset and portfolio management with Boston Capital and in property management with Federal Management Company. She began her career as a property manager with Boston Union Realty. Gail serves as Board Treasurer for Transition House, the oldest domestic violence shelter in New England, and is a member of the Finance Committee for the Women’s Institute of Housing and Economic Development. She holds a BA from Rutgers University and a Masters in Urban Affairs from Boston University, focusing on issues affecting low-income communities.

Direct Phone: 617-933-5855
Email: gberlinger@bostoncommunitycapital.org

Jess Brooks joined Boston Community Capital in 2001. She works closely with our external constituents, maintaining relationships with our investors and donors, raising new funds to support our work, and organizing events that showcase our borrowers and portfolio companies and their work. Jess came to Boston Community Capital from The New York Times where she was in charge of online community development and affiliate management. Her prior experience includes positions as a securities trader on Wall Street, and at Safe Horizon, a nonprofit organization providing services to battered women and other crime victims. Jess serves on the Board of Trustees for The Food Project, a local nonprofit that serves as a national model for engaging young people in personal and social change through sustainable agriculture with locations in Dorchester, Lincoln and on the North Shore. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Boston chapter of Social Venture Partners, and past chair of the Board of Directors for Cascap, a nonprofit organization providing affordable housing and support services for people with special needs. She serves on the Brown University President's Committee on Relations with Tougaloo College and is a 2007 alumna of the Boston Center for Community and Justice's LeadBoston program. Jess is a graduate of Brown University.

Direct Phone: 617-427-3640
Email: jbrooks@bostoncommunitycapital.org

Mr. Chen joined the Venture Fund in 1998. He has a Ph.D. from MIT in Technology, Management and Policy, where his research focused on technology commercialization and sustainable development. Prior to joining the Venture Fund, Andrew was a principal in an investment firm specializing in the advanced materials processing industry. He is also a general partner in two real estate investment and development syndicates. He serves on the Board of Directors of, or is actively involved with several of the Fund's portfolio companies. Among the companies with which he has worked are Acelero, CASTion, geoVue, SelecTech, and Zipcar.  Andrew is focused primarily on opportunities in Eastern MA, RI and ME. 

Direct Phone: 617-427-3667
Email: andrew@bcvfund.com

Judy Currier came to Boston Community Capital in 2000 after a varied career in the daily management of a number of small businesses as well as larger corporate environments. Having owned and operated eight small businesses, Judy concentrates on those projects that markedly improve the infrastructure of the organization. She identifies a problem area and develops procedures, guidelines and controls that allow staff and systems to work together more efficiently.

Direct Phone: 617-427-4549
Email: judithc@bostoncommunitycapital.org

Anna Delgado joined Boston Community Capital in 2006 as a Mortgage Originator with Aura Mortgage Advisors. Before this, she had pursued a career in the real estate and mortgage industry. She graduated in May 2003 from Palm Beach Atlantic University with a Bachelor of Science degree in International business and a concentration in Marketing and Management. Anna speaks six languages, including French, Portuguese, Spanish, Cape-Verdean Creole, and Wolof. Anna is responsible for working with potential borrowers to provide the products, services, and knowledge necessary for them to make informed home ownership choices and find the right home at the right price.

Direct Phone: 617-427-8600
Email: adelgado@bostoncommunitycapital.org

Matthew Gautieri joined Boston Community Capital in 2001 after working in commercial banking for twenty-one years. Matt is responsible for all financial management and accounting functions, including budgeting, investments, portfolio management, and financial reporting. Prior to joining BCC, Matt worked at FleetBoston Financial or its affiliates, most recently as Manager of Planning & Analysis in Fleet's Small Business Services unit. He has also held positions in commercial real estate, financial analysis, and loan operations. Matthew attended Fisher College.

Direct Phone: 617-427-3714
Email: emgautieri@bostoncommunitycapital.org

Luis Matienzo joined Boston Community Capital in 2005. His job has three components: Loan Administration, Information Management and Portfolio Management.Prior to joining BCC, Luis worked for Bank of America as an Information Officer for a $7 billion real estate loan portfolio. He has worked at Bank of Boston and Fleet as an Operations Manager/ Team Leader and Loan Administrator for a $200 million real estate portfolio located in low- and moderate-income areas in New England, and at Fleet’s Community Development Bank.  He brings to his position expertise in construction loan management and information management. 

Direct Phone: 617-427-8600 x220
Email: lmatienzo@bostoncommunitycapital.org

Kathryn McHugh joined Boston Community Capital in 2001. She markets Boston Community Loan Fund to potential borrowers, underwrites loan requests, and conducts ongoing portfolio management. Prior to joining the Loan Fund, Kathryn was a Program Officer at the Local Initiatives Support Corporation office in Providence; a housing development specialist with the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health and a project manager for real estate development at CASCAP. A graduate of Mount Holyoke College, she also holds a Masters degree in Public Policy from Tufts University. Kathryn is a resident of Jamaica Plain and is an active volunteer on Boston and Massachusetts housing issues, especially with homeless groups. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Somerville Homeless Coalition, and is a trustee for the Castle Square Tenants Organization’s Charitable Trust and the Jamaica Plain Housing Trust.  She also consults with the State of Massachusetts and various municipalities on their housing and homeless policies and programs.  She is currently assisting Attleboro and Taunton with their Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness.

Direct Phone: 617-427-3608
Email: kmchugh@bostoncommunitycapital.org

Mike Nilles worked as a full-time Senior Loan Officer at Boston Community Capital from 1996 – 2001, and rejoined us in 2004. He markets Boston Community Loan Fund to potential borrowers, underwrites loan requests, and conducts ongoing portfolio management. During his absence from BCC, Mike worked as a private consultant in community-based financing and real estate development. He came to Boston Community Capital in 1996 from BayBank, where he was an Assistant Vice President in a middle-market commercial lending group. A graduate of Georgetown University and the Yale School of Management, Mike previously served as a Jesuit Volunteer in Seattle. Mike is a CFA® charterholder.

Direct Phone: 617-427-3676
Email: mnilles@bostoncommunitycapital.org

Andres Rodriguez joined Boston Community Capital in 2006 as a Mortgage Originator with Aura Mortgage Advisors. Andres has been a licensed broker for over a decade, and has worked with many communities through the Neighborhood of Affordable Housing, Sovereign Bank, and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. He speaks Spanish, English, and Portuguese. Andres works to educate potential homebuyers and help them make smart decisions through one-on-one counseling and Homebuyers Seminars.

Phone: 617-427-8600
Email: arodriguez@bostoncommunitycapital.org

Kathryn Rugus joined Boston Community Capital in 2003. She provides administrative support to staff members and serves as the first point of contact for borrowers, investors and vendors who visit or contact our offices. As Administrative Assistant, Kathryn assists in creating and coordinating marketing brochures, pamphlets and mailings; invoicing and record keeping; database upkeep; copying, binding, mailing; and purchasing of copiers, phone systems, office products. She also generally answers to the call of “Help!” Before joining Boston Community Capital, Kathryn worked as a marketing assistant in an Architectural/Engineering firm here in Boston; a technical reporter with Thermo Electron’s environmental laboratories; a typographer with Rising Star Associates, producing the New Age Journal magazine; and, before that, in her home town of New York City, as supervisor of the typesetting division of a large printing and publishing firm in midtown Manhattan.

Phone: 617-427-8600 x227
Email: krugus@bostoncommunitycapital.org

Sharon Shepard joined BCVF in February 2001. Previously she was Senior Vice President and Managing Partner of Consulting Services at Mass Ventures Corp. providing venture development, financial advisory, and investment banking services to high growth businesses. There she raised more than $45MM in early stage companies and held interim senior management roles in such companies such as Beliefnet and MetaEvents (acquired by Palm). She has more than 18 years experience in business development, operations, marketing, and product development with significant expertise in managing technology companies through the start-up process. Sharon started her career at Procter & Gamble and Westinghouse. Later she held senior management roles in start-up companies including Compunetix, Sensor Frame, and Amerinex Applied Imaging. She is on the Board of several high technology and entrepreneurial organizations and holds an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from MIT. She works with many of the Venture Fund’s portfolio companies including TekCel, GeoVue, and CASTion.

Direct Phone: 617-427-8600
Email: sharon@bcvfund.com

Michelle Volpe joined Boston Community Capital in 1995 from BayBank's not-for-profit lending group where she was an Assistant Vice President and lender for four years. Previously, Michelle worked for the Center for Community Self-Help in Durham, North Carolina and for Management Sciences for Health in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Yale's School of Management.

Direct Phone: 617-427-3509
Email: mkluchman@bostoncommunitycapital.org