Terry Simonette

Overview

Terry Simonette has worked in the field of community development and community development financial services for the past 35 years. His experience is wide ranging and includes operating as a nonprofit developer, providing technical assistance and training services in several national organizations, serving in the Carter Administration in the Office of Neighborhood Development at HUD, and finally coming to Capital Impact Partners at its inception in 1984. Mr. Simonette joined Capital Impact Partners as its first business development officer, was named President and Chief Operating Officer in 1992, and in 1994 was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer. While at Capital Impact Partners, Mr. Simonette has promoted an aggressive strategy that has steadily increased the size and scope of the organization each year, and broadened its activities to include a broad spectrum of community investment activities, capacity building and policy development programs. Throughout this expansion, Simonette has focused Capital Impact’s sights on escalating its tangible impact on the problems and issues of emerging markets and low-income communities across the country. “My compass always had a very strong social justice needle, and prior to my time here true north for me was always about leveling the playing field. I have never worked with a finer group of committed, passionate and accomplished people — and my connection with people is first and foremost my driver. The core value of innovation/change is a principle which is at my core, and to see it embraced by the entire organization gives me a personal feeling of confidence about our vision fulfillment. And to actually see our progress in operating at scale and making such a significant change in peoples’ lives … this is what continues to drive me.”