Sara Razavi named Working Solutions CEO

San Francisco, CA (May 4, 2018): The Board of Directors of Working Solutions – a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) serving the San Francisco Bay Area – is pleased to announce that Sara Razavi has been selected as the new CEO. Sara brings close to 20 years of experience in the social sector with expertise in operations, strategy, finance, small businesses, and partnership management. Working Solutions promotes microenterprise growth to strengthen the local economy, create jobs, and build resilient communities. The Board looks forward to working closely with Sara as Working Solutions enters into its 20^th year.
 
“Sara is an experienced executive who knows the ins and outs of the organization and is the right leader to shepherd Working Solutions into its next stage of growth and impact,” said Kelly Larocca, Revenue Manager at Thumbtack and Working Solutions Board Chair. “The small business community is lucky to have Sara continue to empower entrepreneurs from all walks of life with the investment and support they need to achieve their dreams.”
 
With Sara at the helm, Working Solutions will continue its mission to serve the local small business community by providing: microloans to start-up and early-stage businesses with limited access to conventional financing; educating early-stage entrepreneurs and providing them with the tools to run successful businesses; and acting as a trusted advisor on topics such as business planning and financial management.
 
“I am absolutely thrilled Sara was selected as the new CEO! She is a dynamic leader, with a strong history at Working Solutions,” said Founding CEO Emily Gasner. “I am confident the organization will continue to thrive as well as grow its impact in the community with Sara at the helm.”
 
Sara will lead the effort to deepen the organization’s work as an early-stage lender focused on communities of color, women, and low- and moderate-income individuals. Working Solutions will continue to be the First to Believe in the local businesses that bring diversity to our communities. Working Solutions has made close to $16 million in microloans since 2005 with plans to make another $12 million in just the next four years, increasing overall support and impact for local entrepreneurs.
 
“Working Solutions continues to be an essential partner to advancing equity for local entrepreneurs and ensuring that small businesses have the resources to start, stay, and grow in San Francisco,” said Joaquín Torres, Director of the Invest In Neighborhoods initiative of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development for the City and County of San Francisco. “We are looking forward to continued partnership with Working Solutions, and welcome Sara Razavi as their new CEO.”
 
Sara, who has served as Working Solutions COO since 2013 and Interim CEO since November 2017, is excited to take on the role. Prior to joining Working Solutions, Sara was Executive Director of Honoring Emancipated Youth, a community project of United Way of the Bay Area. Over the years Sara has worked at multiple social sector entities specifically focused on under-represented youth and families including immigrant communities, foster youth, and low-income families. Sara has a Bachelor of Arts from UC Davis and an MBA from the University of San Francisco School of Management.
 
“I am excited for the opportunity to build on the Working Solutions legacy as the first to believe in immigrant and other underbanked communities. When I was 10 years old, my mother moved us to the United States and became a small business owner. Along with other Iranians and the many Diasporas in California, our immigration story was a happy one because of entrepreneurship. I look forward to helping others realize their dreams too,” said Sara Razavi.
 
 
 
Press inquiries: Carolyn Cool, (415) 780-1214, carolyn@workingsolutions.org