Michael Miro

What inspired you to become involved with LEND?

I grew up in Evanston and have a deep passion for helping this city be the best version of itself. I’ve spent a lot of my career in the nonprofit sector and I know a lot about the challenges that nonprofits face, but I’ve also seen the challenges that small businesses face. This city is filled with entrepreneurs who have great ideas or great products but need access to capital to make their vision become a reality. This access to capital can present an insurmountable challenge for some people, and so I was inspired by LEND’s mission to break down these barriers in Evanston.

As the current chairperson, how would you describe the role of the board?

I view the Board’s role as providing oversight, guidance, and ultimately approval to the lending process. We are organization ambassadors in the community tasked with increasing awareness about the organization’s work. We’re also here to help chart the long-term, strategic direction of the organization, especially by identifying and cultivating student leadership. 

LEND does not have any paid staff. Do you think this influences how the organization works?

It definitely does influence how the organization functions, and I think what has made LEND so successful is the accountability and professionalism that it has maintained despite being an all-volunteer organization. Everyone takes tremendous pride in the work and is committed to actualizing the mission of the organization.

Why do you think LEND is uniquely positioned to create the impact it seeks?

LEND combines the passionate student energy from the university and pairs it with experienced local professionals to produce an impressive track record of success stories. Every year, our institutional knowledge increases, and we’ve become really good at helping small businesses navigate challenging moments in their life cycles. While there are definitely resources for small businesses at a national level, what I like most about LEND is how hyperlocal and focused it is on Evanston. We are unique because we understand the challenges that Evanston businesses face and are knowledgeable about how to help them navigate these challenges and opportunities. Our strong working relationship with the City of Evanston also helps us keep a pulse on the small business community in the city and ensure that entrepreneurs can have opportunities to receive the capital, training, and consultations they need. 

What is your vision for LEND – where do you see the organization a couple of years down the road?

My biggest concern right now is making sure that LEND has the resources it needs to meet the demand that will unfold over the next few years. We don’t know what the exact conditions will be, but we do know that it won’t be getting any easier for small businesses any time soon. They will need a lot of help for quite some time and my biggest fear is that their need may be more than what LEND has to give. So, my vision for LEND is that people recognize the role that it plays in the community and be philanthropically motivated to support its work.

Are there any partnerships or initiatives that you’re excited about?

I think the recent partnership with the City of Evanston to provide a rapid response to the small business community is a tremendous example of the City recognizing LEND’s unique role in the community and then giving us the resources to help businesses get the crucial help they need in this devastating time. We’ve worked quickly, nimbly, and decisively to create real impact. This partnership is only possible because we’ve spent years building a productive working relationship grounded in mutual trust. As we continue to confront the challenges over the next year, we are exploring new partnerships and initiatives to increase entrepreneurial awareness of LEND in the community and leverage institutional resources to meet the need.