Building Wealth in Louisville’s Underserved Neighborhoods with CDFIs
Vicky Harris
Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government – Office of Housing and Community Development
DR. VICKY HARRIS is an outcomes-focused executive leader with deep experience in strategic operations and organizational transformation. She has served in nonprofit, for-profit, and government sectors, leading multimillion-dollar initiatives and shaping enterprise-wide innovations. Dr. Harris holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, an MBA, and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science. A 2025 Tower Award honoree and one of Louisville’s Top 50 Women Leaders in 2024, she is recognized for advancing inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship.
Project
The Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government (LMG) aims to catalyze economic growth and opportunity by significantly increasing Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) investments in underserved neighborhoods. Louisville currently lags behind peer cities in CDFI activity, with only $187 per person in lending compared to the U.S. average of $714. The FUSE Executive Fellow will conduct a comprehensive analysis of Louisville’s CDFI ecosystem, identify opportunities for innovative financial services, and develop a strategic plan aligning local government policy with CDFI investments. This initiative seeks to stimulate entrepreneurship, expand homeownership, and create wealth-building opportunities in historically underserved communities.