Board & Staff

Meet the minds behind your development dreams.

Rachel Bridenstine

President

Rachel Bridenstine leads the development and implementation of the strategic direction of the Development Finance Authority (DFA), as well as overseeing all operations and development activities including economic development financing programs, supervision of all senior management as well as two mission driven organizations (staffed and supported by DFA) that are focused on access to capital for communities and businesses in Northern Ohio. Through these 3 entities, Rachel oversees investments of over $200M. These investments are made through various financial products ranging from $10K-$7.5M for small businesses and non-profits, as well as large scale developments. Along with DFA staff, she works closely with borrowers, investors, other Port Authorities, Community Development Financial Institutions, and government, business, and community agencies. Rachel also offers guidance and training to individuals, communities and businesses regarding financial management and funding opportunities. She is a frequent speaker and panelist for both local and national organizations focused on economic and community development.

Within her tenure, Rachel has collaboratively structured and managed multiple funding programs, bringing unique financing tools to Summit County and the region. Rachel has nearly 20 years of experience in accounting, community/economic finance (including tax credits, bond financing, small business lending, and other federal funding programs), management, development, and marketing. She currently serves on the Akron Civic Theatre board of directors, Downtown Akron Development Corporation board of directors, The Black Chamber of Summit County board of directors, Elevate Greater Akron Core Group, and volunteers within the community.

Rachel graduated from Hiram College with additional coursework completed at The University of Akron, and resides in Akron with her three sons.

Awards

2020: 30 for the Future through the Greater Akron Chamber

2021: Economic Development Professional of the Year from Ohio Economic Development Association

2023: Dealmakers and Rising Stars: Inspiration Comes in Many Forms in Novogradac Journal of Tax Credits.

Carlisa Brinson

Senior Accounting Manager

Carlisa Brinson serves as the Senior Accounting Manager for the Development Finance Authority of Summit County (DFA), where she manages essential financial operations for DFA and its affiliated entities—the Development Fund of the Western Reserve (DFWR) and the Western Reserve Community Fund (WRCF). Her responsibilities include overseeing accounts payable and receivable, daily bookkeeping, financial transaction processing, and monthly reconciliations. She also prepares budgets and financial reports, supports audits, and collaborates closely with the Chief Financial Officer to maintain accurate and transparent financial records.

Carlisa holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Kent State University. Her strong attention to detail and commitment to continuous improvement have made a lasting impact on DFA’s financial reporting and operations.

Leilani Holland

Community Loan Officer

Leilani Holland is a Community Lending officer with the Development Finance Authority (DFA), where she manages loan origination, underwriting, and borrower support across several community-focused lending programs. She also contributes to business development and outreach efforts that strengthen the impact of the Western Reserve Community Fund (WRCF) in its target markets.
With more than 30 years of banking experience, Leilani brings extensive knowledge of personal and business finance, including capital access, business account management, and loan structuring. Her career has been shaped by a strong commitment to serving small business owners and supporting economic growth.
Leilani holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and dual bachelor’s degrees in accounting and forensic accounting. She is currently pursuing both the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) certificate and a graduate certificate in Financial Psychology and Behavioral Finance.

Anna King

Senior Project Manager

Anna King is the Senior Project Manager at the Development Finance Authority of Summit County, where she leads mission-driven investments and economic development initiatives aimed at creating inclusive, sustainable growth throughout the region. She oversees projects across DFA and its affiliated entities—the Development Fund of the Western Reserve and the Western Reserve Community Fund bringing complex financial tools to life through collaborative planning, execution, and compliance. Anna has over 15 years of professional experience and a background spanning, business administration, finance and forensic chemistry. A dedicated community volunteer, she contributes her time to Hospice, Main Street Kent, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and more.

Chad Mayle

Chief Financial Officer

Chad Mayle is Chief Financial Officer for the Development Finance Authority (DFA). Chad oversees the financial operations including accounting, analysis, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and risk management for DFA and the organizations it manages.

Chad has over 17 years of accounting experience in both the public and private sectors of not-for-profit accounting. Chad attended Franklin University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree. Chad lives in Louisville with his wife and three boys. He enjoys time golfing, hunting, riding ATVs and is also an avid sports fan.

Jessica McRitchie

Chief Operations Officer

Jessica McRitchie serves as Chief Operations Officer for the Development Finance Authority (DFA), where she provides strategic and operational leadership for the organization. She oversees day-to-day operations and leads the development, implementation, and management of organizational policies, procedures, compliance functions, and portfolio management. She serves as a primary liaison between DFA and government officials, partners, community leaders, and the public.

Jessica brings more than twenty years of administrative experience in higher education, with a strong background in organizational management and stakeholder coordination. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Case Western Reserve University, as well as a Master of Arts in History and a Master of Education in Teaching English as a Second Language from Cleveland State University.
Jessica resides in Stow and enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, and playing tennis.

Carla Peters

Senior Loan Administrator

Carla is the Senior Loan Administrator for the Development Finance Authority (DFA), working primarily with the lending programs of the Western Reserve Community Fund (WRCF), including the Summit County Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Minority Contractor Capital Access Program, Akron Resiliency Fund, and the General Loan Fund. Carla is responsible for assisting borrowers in all stages of the lending process, and throughout the term of the loan.

Furthering her education, Carla attended the University of Akron. Her background includes over 15 years of working in the legal field, specifically in the areas of Bankruptcy, Domestic Relations, and Accounting, in both the private and public sector.

Ben Pickens

Compliance Manager

Ben Pickens is the Compliance Manager for the Development Finance Authority of Summit County, where he ensures the seamless reporting, compliance, and fund deployment for a wide range of public and private investments. In this role, Ben prepares and submits detailed reports to federal, state, and local funders and investors, manages borrower outcome tracking, oversees a diverse portfolio of funding sources, and writes and edits grant applications to support the organization’s mission-driven work. Ben has Master of Arts in Economics and over eight years of work experience in the community economic development industry. He serves as Assistant Secretary of Development Fund of the Western Reserve (DFWR)’s and Western Reserve Community Fund (WRCF)’s Boards, is an Executive Board member of Summit Choral Society, and is a Class of 2024 graduate of Torchbearers.

Lori Sallaz

Chief Lending Officer

Lori Sallaz is the Chief Lending Officer for the Development Finance Authority of Summit County, where she leads lending strategy, oversees program execution, and manages underwriting and lending teams. In this role, she works closely with private borrowers and public partners to deploy capital through a variety of lending tools that support investment in local communities. Lori has over a decade of experience in economic development finance and more than 30 years of administrative experience. She serves as Executive Director of the Akron-Summit County Energy Special Improvement District (ESID), Vice President of the Ohio Council of Port Authorities (OCPC), Second Vice President of the Greater Akron chapter of Commercial Real Estate for Women (CREW), and Treasurer of Southeast Youth Baseball & Softball Association.

Qyra Sims

Compliance Associate

Qyra Sims is the Compliance Associate for the Development Finance Authority. Qyra is responsible for a variety of administrative, clerical and support activities across the Development Finance Authority, the Development Fund of the Western Reserve, Western Reserve Community Fund and the Energy Special Improvement District. Additionally, she works with staff to provide research and monitor programs projects and inquires.

Qyra graduated from The University of Akron with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated®.

Ché Thomas

Legislative and Board Liaison

Ché Thomas is the Legislative & Board Liaison for the Development Finance Authority of Summit County, where she supports board governance processes, coordinates legislative communications, and strengthens the Authority’s relationships with public partners and community stakeholders. In this role, she manages board operations, prepares meeting materials, facilitates communication between DFA and governmental entities, and ensures smooth execution of the organization’s legislative and administrative functions.

Ché holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) and brings 10 years of experience in legislative affairs, public housing, and economic development. Her background includes a blend of public-sector roles centered on policy support, community impact, and operational management.

A native Akronite, Ché is committed to civic engagement and leadership development. She is a proud member of Torchbearers Akron, where she contributes to a network of young professionals dedicated to community service, collaboration, and driving Akron forward.

Feleecia Thrash

Community Loan Officer

Feleecia is a Community Lending Officer with the Western Reserve Community Fund (WRCF). Known for precision, reliability, and a service-focused mindset, Feleecia has a proven ability to navigate complex documentation requirements and build strong relationships with clients, partners, and internal teams. She thrives in fast-paced, high-volume environments and is dedicated to supporting community-focused financial initiatives. With more than a decade of experience in financial services, loan operations, and client relationship management, Feleecia brings strong expertise in lending practices, portfolio oversight, and regulatory compliance. Her background spans financial documentation review, risk assessment, and delivering accessible, high-quality service to individuals and small businesses.

Mandy Wallwork

Loan Analyst

Mandy Wallwork serves as the Loan Analyst at DFA, where she reviews and evaluates borrower financial statements to assess credit risk and develop informed risk mitigation recommendations. She also analyzes portfolio performance and trends to identify potential vulnerabilities, monitor overall portfolio health, and uncover opportunities for growth and improvement. In this role, Mandy supports sound underwriting practices and contributes to DFA’s risk management and lending strategy.
Mandy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a major in Finance from Kent State University and brings more than twenty years of experience in the mortgage and finance industry, providing her with deep insight into credit analysis, lending operations, and portfolio management.

LiJoi Woolridge

Lending Coordinator

LiJoi Woolridge serves as Lending Coordinator for the Development Finance Authority of Summit County (DFA), where she manages loan closings for Western Reserve Community Fund (WRCF) programs and supports Community Lending Officers with due diligence activities, including document preparation, tax lien searches, and credit reviews. She also assists with loan servicing, borrower outreach, compliance tracking, reporting, and payment coordination, helping ensure the accuracy, compliance, and efficiency of DFA’s lending programs.
LiJoi brings more than 25 years of experience in the banking industry, including roles supporting branch operations and loan officers, and most recently as a Fraud Investigator, where she developed strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
She is a commissioned Notary Public and serves as an Election Poll Worker. LiJoi also has nonprofit experience supporting homeownership and community development initiatives. She holds an associate degree in Criminal Justice.

Ben Zaidman

Project Coordinator

Ben is the Project Coordinator at the Development Finance Authority of Summit County, where he supports mission-driven investments and economic development initiatives that foster inclusive, sustainable growth throughout the region. In his role, Ben assists in coordinating projects across DFA and its affiliated entities, the Development Fund of the Western Reserve and the Western Reserve Community Fund, helping bring complex financial tools to life through collaborative planning, execution, and compliance.

Ben holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with a Minor in Marketing from Kent State University and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Public Administration at Kent State. Prior to his current role, he gained hands-on experience in local and county government, supporting communications, grant administration, and community engagement efforts.

DFA Board Members

Board Chair

Mark Lerner

President Emeritus
GOJO Industries Inc.

Vice Chair

Dan Rice

President & CEO
Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition

Secretary

Shana Earle

Vice President, Financial Planning and Performance
Akron Children’s Hospital

Member

Julie Wesel

CEO
Chemstress Consultant Company

Member

Mark Douglas

President
Tri-County Building & Construction

Member

Ean Johnson

Vice President
Omni Trax, LLC

Member

Jessica Sublett

President & CEO
Bounce Innovation Hub

WRCF Board Members

President

Erin Wojno-Demiray

Senior Project Manager
CSI Support and Development

Treasurer

Renaye Brauning

Director, Finance
Akron Canton Regional Food Bank

Secretary

John Williams

President & CEO
Akron Urban League

Member

Robert DeJournett

President & CEO
Black Chamber of Commerce – Summit County

Member

Hanne-Lore Gambrell

Attorney
The Law Office of H. Gambrell, LLC

Member

Constance Longmire

Founder
Peek Institute Professional

Member

Darnell Moses

Member

Jessica Cherok

Grants Manager
GAR Foundation

DFWR Board Members

President

Joseph Rossi

CEO
Direction Home of Eastern Ohio

Treasurer

Harry Eadon

Economic Development Consultant
Eadon Consulting

Secretary

Erin Wojno-Demiray

Senior Project Manager
CSI Support and Development

Member

Sarah V. Lown

Public Finance Manager
Western Reserve Port Authority

Member

Cameo Carey

Economic Development Coordinator
Grow Ashland

DFWR Advisory Board Members

Chairman

Vince Brancaccio

CEO
HELP Network of Northeast Ohio

Member

Mark Frisone

Executive Director
Family & Community Services, Inc.

Member

Mark Trew

Chief Operating Officer
Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio, Inc.

Member

Scott Hackenberg

Managing Director of Lending
IFF

Member

Duana Patton

CEO
Area Agency on Aging, Mansfield

Member

Ben Kosewski

President & CEO
Lorain County Health & Dentistry