As CRF’s SVP of CDFI Fund programs, Novak is responsible for creating, planning, and executing strategy, business development, policies, revenue, and risk management for the organization’s CDFI Fund programs. She also maintains full business line responsibility for the sourcing, closing, underwriting, ongoing management, compliance, and reporting of CRF’s New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program and Bond Guarantee Program (BGP).

In her 27 years of experience, including 18+ year tenure in community development finance and impact investing, she has sourced, closed, and overseen the ongoing management of more than $2 billion in structured financed transactions and the compliance related to these federal programs.

Prior to CRF, she served in Piper Jaffray & Co.’s municipal finance group and held several positions at Wells Fargo. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the College of Saint Benedict and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Saint Thomas.