Dorian L. Wells was named Executive Director in September 2025 after serving nearly 15 years as Sr. Lending Officer overseeing all facets of nonprofit lending and technical assistance. With nearly 30 years of experience in the nonprofit industry, Dorian has held various senior level positions in development, marketing, volunteer management, programs management and nonprofit finance.

Dorian holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership & Development and a Master of Divinity from a graduate school and seminary, respectively in the Philadelphia area. He also serves as the Sr. Pastor of the South Berne Congregational Christian Church.

Willow Olson joined the Community Loan Fund in 2011. In 2014, she became certified as a QuickBooks ProAdvisor and began working directly with borrowers on financial statements and loan documents. Willow has a MS in Education from City University of New York and a BS in Sociology and Education from SUNY New Paltz. She serves on various financial, educational and community boards and committees. Willow and her family reside in rural Greene County.

Tina Ross brings more than 35 years experience in the financial services industry. Her office management expertise greatly contributes to the Community Loan Fund’s ability to further its mission. Tina lives in Watervliet with her dog and is passionate about providing the best customer service possible.

Walt Brady coordinates all the mission-driven lending activities of the Community Loan Fund, prepares lending-related goals and work plans and supervises lending staff, volunteers and interns. Prior to joining the organization in July 2007, he worked for 12 years with JP Morgan Chase, including as an underwriter and a credit quality assurance analyst. His experience in traditional banking combined with his commitment to community-based economic development makes a wonderful match for the Community Loan Fund.

Destiny Watkins began her career at the Loan Fund as an intern from the College of Saint Rose. Upon the completion of her internship, Watkins was hired to serve as the Training and Technical Assistance Associate. After two years of designing and leading workshops, she was promoted to Community Development Lending Officer. During her time on the Lending Team, Watkins helped dozens of small businesses successfully get financing. She also coordinates the Emerging Investors Network program. In 2022, Watkins was hired to lead the Training and Technical Assistance Program.

Rose Bordett is a native Upstate New Yorker who recently moved to the Capital Region. A graduate of SUNY Oswego she has worked in various educational roles for the last 10 years. Her most recent position was developing an online language learning program. She is excited to bring her enthusiasm for community involvement into her work and to explore the Capital Region’s many opportunities. She would like to bring the same sense of community and caring to the Community Loan Fund’s online learning programs.

Ruth Kassel, Ph.D. joins the Community Loan Fund after many successful and impactful years as a professor at Siena College. Prior to her career in teaching, Dr. Kassel earned her Ph.D. in Spanish Sociolinguistics from the University at Albany. While at UAlbany, Dr. Kassel completed fieldwork with Mexican indigenous communities in diaspora and she contributes her passion for community development from this experience. During her career in higher education, Dr. Kassel coordinated the AmeriCorps interdisciplinary research program that brought together faculty, students, and community members from diverse backgrounds to achieve common goals. This program ultimately launched critical community initiatives and programs such as; the South End Night Market and created theatre and virtual reality tours for historic sites in Albany. In addition to this, the program organized research to support United Way’s Summer Meals program and even supported the feasibility study for the Community Investment Trust.

Sarah Stewart started with the Community Loan Fund in December 2022. After spending a few years in the security field, Sarah joins the Community Loan Fund as a lifelong Albany resident who is dedicated to the mission. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys participating in martial arts and dance and at one time was a small business owner. Sarah has long had a desire to assist small businesses in the Capital Region and keeps up with building maintenance as needed.