Va. Community Capital names new president and CEO

Richmond-based nonprofit Virginia Community Capital (VCC) has hired Amir Kirkwood as its president and CEO, following founding executive director Jane Henderson’s January announcement of her retirement. He will assume the role on Nov. 1.

“I am excited about Amir’s choice to join our organization,” Henderson said in a statement. “He brings the talent and market knowledge to lead this organization into its next phase. … Amir will bring additional innovation, strategy and a depth of understanding about the community development sectors this organization currently serves.”

Previously, Kirkwood was the chief investment and network officer at Opportunity Finance Network, a national association of more than 350 community development financial institutions (CDFIs) that provide capital, advocacy and capacity building for communities underserved by traditional finance. Prior to that, he was the first vice president for commercial banking at Amalgamated Bank, where he advised nonprofits, CDFIs and investment funds on impact finance strategies.

“I am excited to join the team at VCC and lead the organization into its next phase of growth,” Kirkwood said in a statement. “VCC provides a set of financial and advisory services unique to community development. The capacity to provide both innovative financing and place-based investment services demonstrates Jane’s original vision and the organization’s potential.”

Launched in 2006, VCC is a $275 million CDFI that has offices in Christiansburg, Norfolk and Richmond. It offers financing tools and professional advisory services to people and organizations in low-to-moderate income communities.