Disruptors. They are the few and the fierce. In our series, Leading between the Lines, we have the opportunity, and the pleasure, of meeting with some of South Florida’s most dynamic female business leaders, ones who are disrupting their industry, approaching things in a new way, solving new problems, and effectively pushing the status quo into a new frontier. We want to learn about their journey, what it really takes, what they’re actually up against, and how it feels each step along the way.

Meet Courtnee M. Biscardi, Executive Vice President for the Urban League of Broward County, whose mission is to enable underserved community residents to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights.

As Executive Vice President, Courtnee oversees the Urban League’s Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Community Development Housing Organization (CHDO), the Central County Community Development Corporation (CCCDC). Responsible for Human Capital Management of the organization’s 80 employees, her team ensures access to training, technical assistance and capital for qualified minority and women owned small businesses through the Small Business Loan Fund and affordable housing opportunities through its housing development efforts, in addition to supporting the governance functions of the Urban League and its subsidiary the CCCDC.

Holding a Masters of Public Administration, Courtnee has dedicated her entire 25-year professional career to the non-profit field, with a focus on community and economic development including fair housing, housing affordability and asset building strategies that move low-income families out of poverty and into prosperity.

Read our full interview with Courtnee to learn about her career journey to non-profit leadership, the one thing she wishes more small business owners knew, and why she has no regrets.

What motivated you to build your career in the nonprofit sector? Was that always your goal?

I was motivated to get into the non-profit sector by a college adjunct professor. In pursuit of a career in public relations, I was told that there may come a time when I would have to represent interests that do not align with my values. That was not acceptable to me. I sought organizations that did work that aligned with my values and I found that in the non-profit/public sector. I remembered thinking that I didn’t want to be a fraud or sacrifice my integrity at work.

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How does the Urban League serve our community, particularly the small business community?

Access to capital is hard for business owners, so our organization offers low-cost capital to small, low-to-moderate business owners, business owners who need this vital cashflow to grow and scale. We also provide affordable housing for first-time, low to moderate income homebuyers.

Not only do we provide business capital and housing opportunities, but we also train people to secure it. We have a team of caring professionals who work hard to support business owners and homebuyers on their journey to asset and legacy building.

What is the biggest misconception about the work that you do?

Because we’re a non-profit organization, some people believe that the capital we offer does not (or should not) need to be repaid. However, we are a US Department of Treasury Certified, Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that offers loans that must be repaid. That said, we have requirements that demonstrate the ability to repay our loans.

There is a data report (Ewing Marion Kaufmann Report- Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs- Removing Barriers) that discusses the many reasons business owners are concerned about applying for loans. We work hard to provide support to address these concerns and mitigate these challenges so we can help owners overcome common fears in applying for loans.

What is the one thing you wish more business owners knew?

I wish more owners understood that we want to provide capital to small businesses who need it for growth, not crisis. We do not want businesses to take on debt that they cannot handle or afford. That is a recipe for failure—closure. We want businesses to sustain and grow.

My advice? Take care of your financials. When you are getting into trouble, let your lender know and work alongside them to come up with a solution. Do not avoid them. Kicking the can down the road will only exacerbate the problem.

Conversely, when capital is needed for growth, there are unfortunately limited safe, affordable, and respectable lending alternatives for LMI businesses. We do not want these owners to go to predatory institutions with high interest rates that strip businesses of equity, ownership etc.

Our goal is to provide great options, access, and opportunity for small businesses so they can become job creators and thrive!

What has been your proudest achievement thus far? Why?

Honestly, my two magnificent children- my boys 18 and 15. Because being a great parent is hard work! It requires effort, consistency and love...and I (we) put that work in! Today they are kind and brilliant. I love that.

Professionally, I am proud of my ability to raise leaders up. I have been able to see growth in the people I have lead overtime and that is extremely rewarding for me.

I am also proud to be a part of the growth of the Urban League and our subsidiary Central County CDC. That, I did not do alone but I work with an amazing group of people who I respect and care for. We are truly about creating community impact- that makes me quite proud.

What have been some of the most difficult challenges of your career journey thus far? And what have they taught you?

My transition from upstate New York to South Florida was challenging. As an up and comer, there was culture shock, and a significant difference in the cost of living which as young adults was difficult for my husband and I to navigate. I told myself that if I kept pursuing what I love in earnest, with commitment, intelligence, and passion, good things would come. Overtime, they did.

As a leader, vulnerability was tough for me. I don’t like to make mistakes. I did learn over time that it’s inevitable. I also learned that sharing my mistakes with others drew them closer and gave me humility—something I myself valued in leaders. It helped me connect better with others and I now see vulnerability as a superpower!

What has surprised you most on this journey?

I can go much further with others than I can alone.

What influences and inspires you?

Wisdom. I love learning from others who’ve walked a tough path. It reminds me that I can do hard things- and that I can learn from others’ mistakes.

I am inspired by people who share their personal journeys, triumphs and losses. Resiliency says so much about the human spirit. When I see it, I am instantly inspired.

There are two people in particular who inspire me.

Our President & CEO, Dr. Germaine Smith Baugh- she’s got a big VISION and never, ever gives up on our community. She’s always 10 steps ahead and she is a model of integrity and excellence.

My mother has more wisdom than anyone I know. She’s not college educated but she is a bookworm and one of the wisest people I know. She’s been low income for her entire life but can manage her money better than anyone I know. While she has had many challenges in life- she is consistent, humble, faithful and loving.

What scares you? How does fear impact you, both in and out of the office?

Not too much scares me but many things concern me.

Hate concerns me. Hate speak, misdirected anger, disrespect, and not being heard or seen concerns me. I pray that I am a leader, and a person, who has humility and care for others. I hate no one, and I do my very best to not disrespect anyone. I also work hard to SEE people. I am a bit of an empath. When someone hurts—so do I. It allows me to connect with people and understand their path. This is what moves me to do the work that I do.

What are your goals currently? What is next on the horizon for you and the Urban League of Broward of Broward County?

Making more capital available to eligible small businesses and preparing these businesses to secure capital from mainstream banks in the future.

We create opportunity that doesn’t exist and take a chance on businesses that others may not. Once we have worked with these businesses, our hope is that they are better off and in position for mainstream support.

We also desire to create more units of affordable housing in Broward in response to the severe affordable housing crisis. We are always seeking new financial institution investors who desire to create access to capital for underserved businesses or affordable housing for homeowners.

We hope to have a $15 million loan fund within the next 5 years.

What steps or advice would you give other professionals who want to be successful in this industry or are embarking on a similar professional journey?

The work is challenging but worthy. Non-profit community and economic development work has given back to me even more than I’ve given to it in the form of changed lives, professional development, leadership growth, growing compensation and value. I regret nothing.