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Meet Inna Kinney

ECDI's Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Through more than 20 years in the field of economic and community development, Inna Kinney has devoted her career to helping people across Ohio find financial and professional stability through small business ownership.

 

She started this work when she developed and managed an entrepreneurship program to assist new Americans who were resettling in Central Ohio, as part of her role with Jewish Family Services – the same organization that helped her family settle in Columbus when they immigrated from the former Soviet Union in 1974.​

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Inna witnessed, firsthand, the opportunities – as well as the struggles – that small business entrepreneurship presented to her family and others in her community. Her personal experience as a member of an immigrant family and, later, as an advisor to others, inspired and informed the development of ECDI in 2004.

 

The organization is based on the principle of leveling the playing field for those who face systemic barriers on the road to business ownership. ECDI invests in individuals through funding, business training, and mentorship, with the goal of making a lasting impact on communities by creating social and economic change.

 

In 2021, ECDI was named the top SBA microlender in the United States. As a leader in the CDFI industry, Inna continues to ensure ECDI leaves a lasting legacy.

 

Inna serves the community on local and national boards, including the Columbus Jewish Foundation.

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Awards:

  • Columbus Jewish News’ 18 Difference Makers (2020)

  • Columbus Business First Power 100 (2021, 2022, 2023)

  • Ahavas Chesed Award (2023)

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Without economic justice, there cannot be social justice."

-Inna Kinney, ECDI

Support Small Businesses Today

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The Economic & Community Development Institute (ECDI) is one of the top U.S. SBA intermediary microlenders with a mission to invest in people to create measurable and enduring social and economic change. ECDI provides responsible, affordable lending and comprehensive small business development services to help meet the needs of small businesses. ECDI’s target population includes low-moderate income individuals and those otherwise precluded from funding from a traditional financial institution.

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© 2024 by ECDI  |   Privacy Policy

This website is supported by Grant Numbers [90EE1247, 90EE1302, 90EE1320,  90EE1368] from the Office of Community Services within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Community Services.

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