Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region is proud to announce that Destiny Watkins, currently the Manager of Training and Technical Assistance, has been promoted to the position of Director of Training and Technical Assistance. Watkins, a 2014 graduate of The College of St. Rose with her B.A in Small Business Management, has been involved with the Community Loan Fund since 2014. Beginning as an intern while attending St. Rose in 2014, she was ultimately hired in 2015 to serve as the Training and Technical Assistance Associate under former Director Paul Stewart. In 2016, Destiny was named Community Development Lending Officer where she serviced loans and facilitated events and presentations regarding CLF loan offerings and services. In addition to this, she performed site visits and ensured correct usage of loans from our borrowers. Destiny ultimately returned to the Training and Technical Assistance Department in January 2022 when she was named manager of the department.

“Destiny has proven over her nine year tenure that she is always willing and able to take on a new project or challenge” said Linda MacFarlane, Executive Director of the Community Loan Fund.

“In her most recent role as Manager of the Training and Technical Assistance Department, Destiny successfully kept our small business workshops going through the pandemic by switching everything over to remote classes. The challenge of coordinating with presenters and students to make this overarching change was not an easy one, but Destiny made it happen. Similarly, in 2022 we saw a record number of students attend our workshops from all over the Capital Region due in part to her dedication to ensure CLF continued providing these important resources to local entrepreneurs.”

“I am so excited to be named Director of Training and Technical Assistance for the Loan Fund and continue our progress in offering business development support and training for our local entrepreneurs throughout the Capital Region.” said Destiny Watkins.

If you are interested in attending one of our small business workshops or our upcoming 9-Week Small Business Planning Course, please click the link below.

Congratulations Destiny!