I'm a people connector and strategic thinker with a passion for creating a more equitable and just world. With two decades of on-the-ground experience in historically disenfranchised communities, I work to bridge research and practice, helping decision-makers drive data-informed solutions that inspire meaningful change.
My expertise lies in coalition building and aligning diverse stakeholders around shared goals. As a seasoned advocate for entrepreneurship and community development, I craft compelling narratives that attract investment, foster collaboration, and amplify voices often overlooked by policymakers.
Currently, I'm transforming how communities build wealth through AllHold Capital, a $10 million impact investment fund that helps small businesses transition to employee ownership while keeping them rooted in their neighborhoods. Through my consulting firm, Maura Shenker Solutions, I partner with national organizations like Prosperity Now and EQALL to scale programs, develop partnerships, and build capacity for lasting change.
My recent federal service as an Innovation & Investment Impact Fellow at the U.S. Small Business Administration positioned me at the center of national policy change, where I redesigned major funding programs to prioritize equity and reach underserved communities. At Temple University's Small Business Development Center, I turned around a struggling program into an award-winning operation that helped businesses access over $21 million in capital.
With a unique perspective as both funder and recipient, I bring deep knowledge of organizational capacity, compliance, and impact measurement, along with insights into philanthropic trends and leveraging power structures for social impact. My work has earned recognition from the Clinton Foundation, Pew Research Center, and Brookings Institution.
What drives me is simple: I believe economic power and democratic participation go hand in hand. When communities have more economic agency, they have stronger voices in shaping their futures.
Fun fact: In a past life, I was a glassblower with my own studio in Philadelphia, and I attended high school with Jada Pinkett Smith and Tupac Shakur at the Baltimore School for the Arts!
