Shannan Herbert is the Chief Executive Officer of the Washington Area Community Investment Fund (Wacif), a nonprofit CDFI dedicated to advancing inclusive entrepreneurship, equitable economic development, and community wealth building.

Before joining Wacif, Shannan served as Executive Vice President of Inclusive Credit at Stratyfy, a women-led fintech advancing equitable access to capital by eliminating bias in financial decisions. She led strategic initiatives for CDFIs and banks, co-launched the Underwriting for Racial Justice pilot, and co-created the Reimagining Risk training module for financial professionals. Previously, she was EVP and Chief Credit Officer at City First Bank, one of the nation’s largest Black-led CDFIs and Minority Depository Institutions.

With over 20 years of leadership in commercial credit and financial services, Shannan has helped expand access to capital for under-resourced communities and supported the growth of women- and minority-owned businesses. A native of Washington, D.C., she is deeply engaged in community development and serves on numerous boards and advisory councils that reflect her values.

Shannan currently serves as:

• Vice Chair of Rochdale Capital and Chair of its Loan Committee

• Board Member of The Arc of Prince George’s County

• Member of the Forbes Finance Council

• Advisory Board Member for:

  • Equitable Bank Standards Working Group

  • Homeownership of America

  • TD Bank Community Impact Plan (CIP)

  • Black Women Film Network

  • Julian Bond Institute

  • Simon Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Loyola University

A recognized thought leader, she is frequently invited to speak on equity, fintech, and credit innovation. Her insights have appeared in Forbes, Consumer Reports, Next City, and The Washington Business Journal. In 2023, she was named a BAI Global Innovation Rising Star.

Shannan is a proud graduate of Howard University and holds an MBA from Loyola University Maryland.