Transform Westside Summit – August 18, 2017
Featured Presentation: Financial Inclusion on the Westside
Presented by:
Ann Chakales (Equifax)
Regina Grant (On The Rise Financial Center)
Michelle Parker (National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions)
About Ann Chakales: Ann Chakales currently serves as the Equifax Community Affairs Manager in Atlanta. She assists with implementation of the corporate community affairs strategy, including administering The Equifax Foundation, managing the employee matching gifts program, managing and promoting employee volunteerism, and planning and administering the national United Way campaign. She has been working at Equifax for 14 years. Prior to Equifax she worked in the banking industry.
Ann is a part of the Westside Economic Inclusion Collaborative, is the convener of the Atlanta Corporate Donors group, serves on the Board of Directors of the Atlanta Hospital Hospitality House, and is Recording Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Lakeside High School Foundation. She is also an active volunteer for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation as well as for church and neighborhood activities.
About Regina Grant: Regina Grant currently serves as the Center Director for On the Rise Financial Center. In her role as Center Director, she is able to apply her skills and expertise to provide a high level of specialized service to the residents of the community. Her level of commitment to “reach one, teach one” is irrefutable and the passion she exhibits in all aspects of her work well qualifies her as an expert in her field.
Having spent several years as a trained and certified Homeownership Counselor, Ms. Grant has successfully counseled and coached thousands of clients. In addition to serving in this capacity, she has also lead a team of computer-software trainees, managed media and marketing partnerships, as well as participated in the development of the center’s financial education curriculum.
Her career as a financial educator and coach has been successful and is continuing to thrive as she embarks on her new journey of educating the residents of Atlanta’s Westside Community.
About Michelle Parker: Michelle Parker is the Federation’s Program Officer for the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions. In that role, she oversees the implementation and expansion of programs and tools that advance financial empowerment and expand financial inclusion in low-income and underserved communities
Prior to joining the Federation, Ms. Parker was a senior analyst at Callahan & Associates where she specialized in credit union research, consulting, and strategic planning. Additionally, she has developed asset-building programs and products through her previous work at Credit Builders Alliance. She currently serves as a First Round Judge for Morgan Stanley’s annual investing challenge, and locally supports community development through her mentor role at StreetWise Partners.
The Transform Westside Summit is held on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month and is free and open to the public. Meetings begin promptly at 7:15 a.m. with complimentary breakfast, provided by Summit sponsor Chick-fil-A, and morning devotion.*
*Many in our community are driven by their spiritual faith to participate in the Westside revitalization effort. The time at the beginning of our meetings is an opportunity to share various inspirational reflections. While the speakers may articulate their personal faith, it is meant to be inclusive, inspiring and meaningful. All are welcome.