Over the past five years, Pacific Community Ventures’ impact has grown steadily and the organization is poised to scale nationally and internationally. PCV is at an exciting inflection point with an effective and proven platform now in place on which the organization can build exponentially. After much personal reflection, I have come to the conclusion that just as PCV is entering a new era, it is time for me to start my own next era as well. I have asked PCV’s Board of Directors to begin an effort to hire my successor. I plan to stay on at PCV until my successor is on-board and will ensure a smooth transition for our dedicated team and a seamless shift for our small business owners, advisors, funders, clients and other stakeholders.
Having spent ten years with PCV, nearly six as its leader, I am proud to have helped the organization realize a number of benchmark achievements. We have launched our SAIL small business loan fund, a unique debt fund that successfully adapts the venture capital model—providing capital alongside ongoing, customized expertise—to create jobs and economic opportunity in low income communities. We’ve taken our proven Business Advising program online to increase effectiveness and scale impact. In just the past two years, PCV has provided capital and/or expertise to over 300 companies, creating over 600 new jobs and providing over $100 million in wages to residents of lower income communities. At the same time, our thought leadership work in impact investing has been welcomed at the state house, the White House and even internationally, at the G8 Summit. Through this work, PCV has had an outsize impact on public policy and investor education to drive more capital and resources to our neediest communities.
My time at PCV has been the most engaging, productive, and satisfying of my career. But now it is time for me to move on and for new leadership to emerge at PCV.
PCV’s Board has appointed a Search Committee, chaired by PCV Board Chair Ralph Clark. The Search Committee has hired the 360 Group, headed by Vincent Robinson to manage this effort. I encourage you to circulate the job description to your networks. I can tell you with absolute certainty that serving as President of PCV is a tremendous, not-to-be missed opportunity for the right person.
We will be sharing more about PCV’s exciting future next week at our Annual Luncheon, Monday, May 4th at the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. If you have not yet secured your ticket, you can register here.
Let me close by saying how much I appreciate the support you have shown PCV and me over the past decade. I look forward to speaking with many of you as I explore my next professional adventure.
All the best,
Beth
Beth Sirull
President
Pacific Community Ventures
51 Federal Street, Suite 100
San Francisco, CA 94107