Kris Spaulding joins CDFI
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH., Feb. 6, 2025 – Northern Initiatives, a nonprofit lender serving Michigan, has hired a Climate Justice and Environmental Resilience Director to create and build an energy lending program. Kris Spaulding, a longtime sustainability leader in West Michigan, is working on ways to help business owners build resilience, energy independence, and healthy communities.
“We’re working within a federal framework for the funds that will be available,” said Spaulding. “The funds can be used for building and equipment energy-efficiency projects, renewable energy, and EV fleets and infrastructure. We’re confident Michigan’s small business owners want and need these improvements. We will work with the businesses, helping them find available incentives, reputable contractors, and more. It’s important work that will help our customers save money, using clean, affordable energy.” She’s currently enrolled in the Opportunity Finance Network’s Nascent Climate Lender Training Program, along with Charles Hurst, Northern Initiatives Vice President of Lending. The program helps them identify community needs and develop loan products that solve them.
Spaulding remains an owner of Brewery Vivant and Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits with her husband Jason, though she has stepped away from managing the daily operations. Both brewpubs are Certified B Corporations and Vivant is the first LEED Certified commercial microbrewery in the nation. Prior to opening her breweries, Spaulding was a member of the sustainability department at Herman Miller. She has been listed on the 50 Most Influential Women in West Michigan list, the Grand Rapids 200 Most Influential Leaders, and was the WMSBF Sustainable Business Hall of Fame Inductee in 2024.
Northern Initiatives also hired Yewhanes Frezghi as a senior accountant. Frezghi, also of Grand Rapids, is a graduate of Northern Michigan University in Marquette, where Northern Initiatives was founded. Frezghi brings a fresh perspective and solid foundation in accounting principles. Prior to joining Northern Initiatives, Yewhanes was an Accounting Manager in Montana for 7 years and brings an analytical mindset and commitment to accuracy that align with Northern Initiatives’ values and growth objectives.
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Northern Initiatives, a Community Development Financial Institution, delivers loans and business services to small business owners and entrepreneurs who create jobs and enable the people and communities of Northern Michigan to thrive. Learn more at northerninitiatives.com.
