Meeting Your CRA’s Plan Through Bank Partnerships
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Camellia AB
Financial institutions provide lending, services and invest- ments for local infrastructure, a ordable housing and economic development. How can a CRA plug into these programs? We will discuss how to e ectively choose and partner with a nancial institution. Participants will engage with panelists on speci c opportunities in their CRAs and learn about redevelopment best practices from our panel- ists. This session is a follow-up to “Understanding Bank CRA for Florida’s CRAs.” Instead of lectures in this session, we will host a facilitated audience participation format.
Moderator: April A. Atkins, AICP, Community A airs Spe- cialist, FDIC
Presenters: Ana Castilla, Vice President, Community De- velopment Manager, TD Bank; Aileen Pruitt, Florida Market Manager, Community Development, PNC Bank; and Thais R. Sullivan, VP, Regional CRA/Community Lending O cer, Valley National Bank
Ana Castilla is Vice President, Regional Community Development Regional Manager, Florida with TD Bank. She manages community relationships and supports regional market retail and commercial staff in developing and implementing responsive community development lending, service and investment to revitalize and stabilize low-and moderate-income neighborhoods and financial empowerment for individuals throughout the bank’s Florida footprint. Prior to joining TD Bank in 2014, Ana was the Regional Community Development Manager for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta at the Miami Branch. In that capacity she served as a commissioned bank examiner in addition to her community and economic development specialty. She has published several research papers and articles in addition to speaking both nationally and internationally on topics including concentrated poverty, remittances, community development finance, and financial empowerment. Born and raised in the Washington DC area, Ana has lived in Miami for 30 years and is fluent in Spanish. She is active in numerous community development and professional groups nationally and serves on the board of directors of South Florida Community Development Coalition, Miami Homes for All, Florida Community Loan Fund, Community Housing Partners, and is president of the board for Centro Campesino Farmworker Center. Ana has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, CT and an MBA from Florida International University.
Thais R. Sullivan joined Valley National Bank – Florida Division in September 2015, where she is the Vice President, Regional CRA/Commercial Lending Officer for the State of Florida. In her role as the Regional CRA Officer she is responsible for assisting Valley National Bank – Florida in achieving their CRA goals.
Thais graduated with honors in 1998, with a Bachelor of Business Degree from Barry University while working during the day, and attending class in the evenings.
Thais has been in involved with the Palm Beach County Community for 30+ years, while working for various banking institutions. In 2013 Thais was recognized as one of the Most Influential & Prominent Black Women in Business in Palm Beach County by Legacy Palm Beach. As a graduate of Leadership Palm Beach County in 2010, she continues to be involved with the Organization and Alumni. From 1979 to current Thais has been involved with the following organizations either through volunteering or as a Member of the Board: The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Foundation, Paragon Florida, Urban League of Palm Beach County, The Anquan Bolding Foundation, The Black Chamber of Commerce, The Boys and Girls Club of Riviera Beach, The Business Loan Fund of Palm Beach County, Pompano Beach Loan Fund, LISC, Black Business Investment Corporation(BBIC), Palm Beach County Affordable Housing Collaborative, Community Reinvestment Group, Palm Beach County Finance Committee, The City of West Palm Beach, and the City of Riviera Beach.
Thais enjoys reading the Bible and sharing what she has learned with others, along with traveling, and bowling with her husband (Kyle), Sons (Kyle & Brandon) and Mother (Liz).