Prosper Portland
Oscar Novelo is an accomplished finance professional with extensive experience in underwriting and managing loans for small businesses and commercial real estate projects. Currently serving as Senior Business Finance Officer at Prosper Portland since June 2021, Oscar is responsible for writing credit memos, presenting to loan committees, and training staff on loan origination software. Prior to this role, Oscar worked as a Business Advisor at Portland Community College, where expertise in pandemic relief assistance was developed. As President of Negocio Inc, Oscar collaborated with various organizations to assist small business owners in accessing financial resources. Additional experience includes leadership roles at Boston Private and Citizens Business Bank, focusing on small business lending, portfolio management, and community reinvestment. Oscar holds a Master's Degree in Planning and Development Studies and a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration from USC Sol Price School of Public Policy.
Prosper Portland
Prosper Portland is an economic and urban development agency that focus on building an equitable economy by carrying out a comprehensive range of economic development programs that support small business, improve access to workforce training, and create jobs for Portland residents. They work with partners to drive public attention and resources todifferent areas of the city, which helps Portland realize capital projects – parks, streetscape improvements, community centers –that would not happen on their own, making it a better place to live for all Portlanders.Prosper Portland is headed by an executive director who reports to a five-member, volunteer board of local citizens appointed by the mayor and approved by City Council. The structure allows them to exercise independence in program implementation and resource allocation.