Disruptors. They are the few andthe 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 femalebusiness leaders, ones who are disrupting their industry, approaching things ina new way, solving new problems, and effectively pushing the status quo into anew frontier. We want to learn about their journey, what it really takes, whatthey’re actually up against, and how it feels each step along the way.

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

As Executive Vice President, Courtneeoversees the Urban League’s Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI)and Community Development Housing Organization (CHDO), the Central CountyCommunity Development Corporation (CCCDC). Responsible for Human CapitalManagement of the organization’s 80 employees, her team ensures access totraining, technical assistance and capital for qualified minority and womenowned small businesses through the Small Business Loan Fund and affordablehousing opportunities through its housing development efforts, in addition tosupporting the governance functions of the Urban League and its subsidiary theCCCDC.

Holding a Masters of PublicAdministration, Courtnee has dedicated her entire 25-year professional careerto the non-profit field, with a focus on community and economic developmentincluding fair housing, housing affordability and asset building strategiesthat move low-income families out of poverty and into prosperity.

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

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

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

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

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

Not only do we provide business capital and housingopportunities, but we also train people to secure it. We have a team of caringprofessionals who work hard to support business owners and homebuyers on theirjourney to asset and legacy building.

What is the biggest misconception about the work that youdo?

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

There is a data report (Ewing Marion Kaufmann Report- Accessto Capital for Entrepreneurs- Removing Barriers) that discusses the many reasonsbusiness owners are concerned about applying for loans. We work hard to providesupport to address these concerns and mitigate these challenges so we can helpowners 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 providecapital to small businesses who need it for growth, not crisis. We do not wantbusinesses to take on debt that they cannot handle or afford. That is a recipefor failure—closure. We want businesses to sustain and grow.

My advice? Take care of your financials. When you aregetting into trouble, let your lender know and work alongside them to come upwith a solution. Do not avoid them. Kicking the can down the road will onlyexacerbate the problem.

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

Our goal is to provide great options, access, andopportunity 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. Becausebeing a great parent is hard work! It requires effort, consistency andlove...and I (we) put that work in! Today they are kind and brilliant. I lovethat.

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 isextremely rewarding for me.

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

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

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

As a leader, vulnerability was tough for me. I don’t like tomake mistakes. I did learn over time that it’s inevitable. I also learned thatsharing my mistakes with others drew them closer and gave me humility—somethingI myself valued in leaders. It helped me connect better with others and I nowsee 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 toughpath. It reminds me that I can do hard things- and that I can learn fromothers’ mistakes.

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

There are two people in particular who inspire me.

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

My mother has more wisdom than anyone I know. She’s notcollege 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 thananyone 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 andout 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 aperson, who has humility and care for others. I hate no one, and I do my verybest to not disrespect anyone. I also work hard to SEE people. I am a bit of anempath. When someone hurts—so do I. It allows me to connect with people and understandtheir path. This is what moves me to do the work that I do.

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

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

We create opportunity that doesn’t exist and take a chanceon 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 inBroward in response to the severe affordable housing crisis. We are alwaysseeking new financial institution investors who desire to create access tocapital for underserved businesses or affordable housing for homeowners.

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

What steps or advice would you give other professionalswho want to be successful in this industry or are embarking on a similarprofessional journey?

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