Our Approach
As Colorado families struggle to create self-sufficiency, they have a few choices: continue low-wage employment with little to no upward mobility; access public assistance such as food stamps, rental assistance, and childcare subsidies – which are limited, can be cut off at the slightest increase of income, and are difficult and time consuming to access; or move to another community because their neighborhood is unaffordable. RMMFI exists to provide a solution to these individuals: income and wealth generation through business ownership.
RMMFI serves its entrepreneurs with both business development and lending services. Our goal is to build the RMMFI entrepreneur into a business owner who can successfully shift and adapt to changing environments presented both in their businesses and in their lives. RMMFI’s programs look to build stability and growth across personal stability, entrepreneurial spark, and business feasibility.
Intentionally built along the Idea, Launch, and Thrive business incubator pathway, RMMFI programs help entrepreneurs build strong foundations in both their businesses and their lives.
The RMMFI Team
Rob Smith
CEO
Aaron Witzke
Director of Growth Initiatives
Brenda Roush
Development Director
Jeremy Katz
Regional Program Manager
Jessica Sveen
Director of Operations
LaRae Martinez
Outreach Specialist
Mary Kate Morr
Community Engagement Manager
Monique Walker
Placement Coordinator - Aurora
Pamela Richard
Outreach Specialist
Patrick Efferson
Graduate Placement Coordinator
Romales Gray
Trainer - Aurora
Ryan Flanders
Capital Manager
Sarah Craft
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Sera Muñiz
Director of Programs
Sherrie Lawson
Site Activation Manager
Theresa Rinne-Meyers
Director of Impact
Veronica Ybarz
Placement Coordinator - Denver
Board of Directors
Jarrod Schleiger
Chair | Executive Vice President, FirstBank Cherry Creek
Kathy Streeter
Vice-Chair | HR/People Consultant
Rob Smith
CEO | RMMFI
Heather Kendrick
Secretary | Partner, Kutak Rock LLP
Jamie Stone
Treasurer | Principal, MSW Financial Partners
Aaron Clark
Founder & CEO, Equity Solutions
Abbey O’Neal
Strategist & Experience Advisor, Downstream Partners
Aimee Charlton
Owner, Great Harvest Bread Co.
Chris Coble
Co-Founder and Managing Director, BLACK LABEL
Jay Whisenton
Co-Owner, Feeding the Multitudes Catering
Justin Ball
President, Bespoke Event Group
Kristin Todd
EVP of Grants Program & Operations, Daniels Fund
Ravi Duggirala
Director of Risk Strategy, Xcel Energy
Tara Dunn
President, HighMark Law LLC
Our Awards
Google.org Impact Challenge Finalist – Google.org – 2019
AEI Innovation Grant– American Enterprise Institute – 2019
Top Company Finalist (Nonprofit) – COBiz Magazine – 2013, 2018, & 2019
Right on the Money Award – Consumers United Association – 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, & 2020
Small Nonprofit of the Year – Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce – 2016
David E. Bailey Small Business Advocate of the Year – Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce – 2016
Colorado Innovation in Philanthropy Award – Bank of the West – 2011
RMMFI is the 2016 Small Nonprofit of the Year!
RMMFI is proud, honored, thankful, and so excited to be named the 2016 Small Nonprofit of the Year, awarded by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. This award recognizes the dedication of the RMMFI Team and Board, the generosity of the RMMFI community of volunteers and donors, and–most importantly–shines a light on the incredible, passionate, and hard-working RMMFI Entrepreneurs who are making their lives, the economy, and our communities more vibrant! We celebrate together as the RMMFI community, for we are ALL creating economic and social mobility through entrepreneurship!
Rob Smith named the 2016 David E. Bailey Small Business Advocate
Rob Smith, RMMFI’s CEO, received the incredible honor of winning the 2016 David E. Bailey Small Business Advocate of the Year. This award is in recognition of Rob’s leadership and unwavering commitment to ensuring that ALL entrepreneurs have access to a meaningful opportunity to improve their lives and communities through entrepreneurship.
Community Transparency
RMMFI prides itself in being aggressively transparent. Our goal is to make sure our community has the information necessary to be confident in RMMFI’s journey toward the fulfillment of our mission. Please contact Rob Smith if you would like to discuss any of the items listed below or need additional information about the organization.
- RMMFI Audit: 9-30-2019
- RMMFI 990: 2019
- RMMFI Audit: 9-30-2018
- RMMFI 990: 2018
- RMMFI Audit: 9-30-2017
- RMMFI 990: 2017
- RMMFI Audit: 9-30-2016
- RMMFI 990: 2016
- RMMFI Audit: 12-31-2015
- RMMFI 990: 2015
In all their dealings, the Rocky Mountain MicroFinance Institute does not discriminate based on: age; ancestry; creed; color; mental or physical disability; gender; gender identity, expression or characteristics; marital status; national origin; political service or affiliation; race; religion; sex; sexual orientation; veteran status; or any other classification protected by federal, state or local law.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Rob Smith, CEO
PO Box 48138, Denver, CO 80204
720-941-5037