Staff Leadership

Our mission is to strengthen Chicago area low- to moderate-income communities by collaborating with neighborhood stakeholders on community development efforts, acting as a developer and resource that supports economic development and neighborhood revitalization, and coordinating capital and resources to support community projects.

The long-term goal of CNI’s officers and board members is to expand capacity in order to be responsive to development opportunities in low-income communities throughout the greater Chicagoland area.

David Doig

President

A seasoned professional in community development, real estate, finance, and government with over 30 years of experience, Doig serves as president of CNI.

Prior to leading CNI, Doig worked in a variety of capacities within the administration of Mayor Richard M. Daley, including General Superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District and First Deputy in the Department of Planning and Development and initially in the City’s Department of Housing.

As Park District Superintendent, Doig oversaw a $350 million operating budget and a staff of over 3,000. Under his leadership the Park District’s bond rating improved and the District issued its first revenue bonds. Serving in Planning and Development Doig managed its neighborhood division which operates city programs to spur economic development and job growth in neighborhoods throughout the city.

In over thirty years of living and working in the city of Chicago, David Doig has become an expert on how cities and neighborhoods work.

Jenn Bransfield

Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel

A corporate attorney with an MBA and more than 20 years of experience, Jennifer’s responsibilities at CNI include operations, internal and programmatic legal, and finance; board, funder and government relations; and direction of the NMTC program. Jennifer previously served as counsel at a bank holding company and worked in the economic consulting and tax practices at international firms. Jennifer earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California, her JD and MBA from Pepperdine and is a University of Chicago Civic Leadership Academy Fellow and is certified through Stanford University’s Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders. She is also a member of University of Chicago’s Nonprofit Network for Strategic Finance and Operations and frequently speaks in classrooms. Jennifer also serves as a director on the boards of Christ the King Jesuit College Prep, New Markets Tax Credit Coalition and Friends of Big Marsh.

Erica King

President, Greenwood Archer Capital

With over 20 years of experience in the financial industry, Erica leads Greenwood Archer Capital, the new name of the CNI Micro Finance Group. Ms. King has led the nonprofit CDFI that provides low-cost financing to businesses that are underserved by traditional lenders, since 2014. During that time more than $18 million in loans and grants have been provided to businesses in and around the Chicago and the suburbs to the west and south of the city, with the vast majority going to businesses owned by Black and Spanish speaking individuals.

Prior to CNI/MFG Erica worked as a commercial lending officer at U.S. Bank and Park National Bank and a Finance Director at the Women’s Business Development Center. Erica earned her bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Kimberly B. Morris

Director of Real Estate and Community Development

For 10 years Kimberly has been managing economic development opportunities and helping community organizations and the City of Chicago support small businesses, create jobs, and revitalize under-resourced and dis-invested neighborhoods.

At CNI, Kimberly is helping to build client and community relationships and design its development strategy and activities. She is also working to generate support for citywide opportunities and initiatives as well as managing all aspects of CNI’s construction projects.

She has a Bachelor’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois and earned her Masters in Public Administration degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Annette Washington

Director of Finance

Annette is an accomplished leader with nearly 20 years of experience in the financial management and reporting functions for commercial, residential and industrial real estate developers, including monitoring a $25 billion portfolio of properties. She will help CNI continue revitalizing Pullman and will work to bring new investments and developments to disinvested and under-resourced neighborhoods throughout the region. At CNI, Annette is responsible for all finance and accounting functions. Annette is a graduate of Chicago State University and serves on the board at Options for Youth, a local nonprofit that helps adolescent mothers and male students make healthy lifestyle choices and maximize their potential.

Donald Higgins

Project Manager, Real Estate

Donald has more than 12 years of experience in the banking and real estate development field. At CNI, Donald is responsible for overseeing the organization’s affordable housing development programs, including the restoration of historic rowhomes, utilizing various financing initiatives. Prior to CNI, Donald worked as a Credit Analyst and Commercial Lender at Park National Bank. Donald earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance from Dominican University.

Maria Meduga

Account Manager

Maria has more than 25 years of accounting experience. At CNI, she is responsible for managing the bank accounts of CNI and its subsidiaries, providing loan servicing for microloans, assisting with monthly financial reporting, overseeing the accounts payable and reconciling the general ledger for all entities. Maria previously worked for Park National Bank and earned a degree from Chicago State University.

Hunter Beck

Loan Officer. CNI Micro Finance Group

With little paperwork and lots of flexibility, Hunter helps entrepreneurs obtain the financing and assistance they need from CNI Micro Finance Group. By providing access to capital that is unavailable from traditional lending institutions he is helping to increase ownership, create jobs, revitalize neighborhoods, and build stronger communities.

Previously, Hunter was a Youth Programs Manager, and Head Baseball Coach at Vertus Charter High School. He is a graduate of Wheaton College and currently volunteers as a basketball coach at the Illinois Youth Detention Center and a teacher’s assistant at By the Hand Club for Kids.