Our Team | First Southwest Community Fund

Rosy Aburto McDonough
Executive Director

Sam Corkern
Director of Investor Relations, Impact and Operations

rebeca snowden
Programs Manager

lauren Harris
Technical Assistance Navigator

Naya Rodriguez
Portfolio Manager

Who We are

Committed to community.

At FSWCF, we believe in the power of collaboration. By working hand-in-hand with local communities, we're dedicated to nurturing the growth and prosperity of rural Colorado.

Learn More About Us

Rosy Aburto McDonough
Executive Director

LinkedIn Profile

Rosy has extensive experience as an independent business consultant in financial, strategy and business development, and procurement/certification state-wide. She comes to FSWCF from the Hispanic Contractors of Colorado (HCC) where she was the Executive Director. Prior to her role at HCC, she served as the Director of the Minority Business Office of Colorado at the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT).

McDonough is credited for developing the statewide vision for OEDIT focused on supporting small minority- women- and veteran-owned businesses. Under her leadership, staff implements the strategic plan, continuously meeting and exceeding established annual performance measures and impact goals.

Rosy received her bachelor’s degree in actuarial science (applied mathematics) at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México in Mexico City. Her graduating dissertation was Risk Management. Rosy completed an MBA with emphasis in Finance and International Business at the University of Colorado at Denver. She has an entrepreneurial spirit and as a result has owned several businesses throughout her life. Her latest initiative, a credit reporting agency serving the mortgage lending and property management industries nation-wide in the U.S., and various Latin American markets. Her banking experience includes community development, specialty/minority markets, corporate relations, credit analysis, lending, and business banking.

Rosy was born and raised in Mexico providing her with a deep sense of biculturalism. She spends most of her free time with her three girls and husband. Her home is a tri-lingual and culturally diverse household with languages and diverse interest in Chinese and Latin cultures and traditions.

Jeannie Beier
Director of Lending

LinkedIn Profile

Jeannie Beier brings over 25 years of invaluable experience in the financial industry to her role as Director of Lending. With a proven track record of success and a passion for driving innovation in lending practices, Jeannie is a strategic leader who consistently delivers exceptional results.

Throughout her career, Jeannie has demonstrated a deep understanding of lending principles, risk management, and customer-centric strategies. Her expertise spans across various sectors of the financial industry, including commercial lending, consumer lending, and mortgage lending.

As Director of Lending, Jeannie is poised to lead our lending division to new heights, driving strategic initiatives, and delivering exceptional value to our clients and stakeholders.

FSWCF will allow me to help small entrepreneurs follow their dreams, as I have by becoming Director of Lending. It is an honor to be serve the small business of Southwest Colorado, and to ensure their generational wealth will endure the test of time.

Jeannie was born and raised in Omaha Nebraska. She met her husband and moved to Virginia. Once her husband Nate retired from the US Navy they moved to Florida and then to Pueblo West Colorado. They have 3 beautiful daughters, 3 crazy dogs, and a heckle of chickens. Outside of work, Jeannie enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and volunteering in her community.

Sam Corkern
Director of Investor Relations, Impact and Operations

Samantha "Sam" Corkern serves as Director of Investor Relations, Impact, and Operations at First Southwest Community Fund (FSWCF), where she leads efforts to strengthen investor partnerships, advance organizational strategy, and maximize the impact of community investments across rural Colorado. Raised in Elbert County, Colorado, Sam developed a deep appreciation for the opportunities and challenges facing rural communities, shaping her commitment to expanding access to capital and fostering resilient local economies.

At FSWCF, Sam oversees investor relations, impact measurement, operational strategy, and organizational planning. She works closely with investors, partners, and stakeholders to ensure that capital is deployed effectively and that the organization's grants, loans, and programs deliver measurable outcomes for businesses, families, and communities throughout the region. Sam brings experience across local government, the legal sector, international nonprofits, and technology startups, providing a unique perspective on the intersection of finance, operations, and community development. She holds degrees in Business Administration and Human Services, as well as a Master of Public Administration from Cornell University, and is passionate about leveraging strategic investment, strong partnerships, and effective systems to create lasting economic opportunity across rural Colorado.

rebeca snowden
Programs Manager

Rebeca is a bilingual-bicultural professional with a strong background in program management, leadership, education, and community development.

Originally trained and working as an architect in El Salvador for nearly a decade, she brings a unique perspective to her work in the U.S., where she has spent the last 18 years supporting Spanish-speaking communities through culturally responsive services. Her experience includes close collaboration with non-profits, schools, and community partners, always centering the voices and strengths of the communities she serves. With certifications in 12 adult education curricula, she has led programs that empower families to navigate systems, overcome barriers, and access vital resources. Most recently her work with new entrepreneurs has helped launch several cohorts of startups in Colorado, as well as strengthening partnerships with several key stakeholders and business development organizations.

Rebeca is excited to contribute to the mission of FSWCF, supporting rural entrepreneurship in Colorado, and is deeply committed to fostering education, networking, and meaningful growth with businesses of all stages and industries.

lauren harris
Technical Assistance Navigator

Lauren has experience working with entrepreneurs to prepare them for the financial and emotional aspects of business management.

Lauren moved to Colorado in 2024 from Texas, where her background spans many industries, including finance and non-profit. Combining her love for financial education with that of non-profit work, she has spent many years helping entrepreneurs prepare for business ownership. She has experience teaching business classes in topics such as operations, management, and marketing, as well as coordinating grant and loan applications for nonprofits in both the Denver and Houston area.

With an undergraduate degree in Human Communication and Economics from Trinity University, as well as her CFP certification from Rice University, Lauren has spent most of her time working with entrepreneurs to prepare them for the financial and emotional aspects of business management.

In her free time, she volunteers with SCORE, Junior Achievement, and RMMFI as a mentor and coach. She also enjoys exploring Colorado and being outside teaching tennis.

AJ Shaikh
Commercial Lender

AJ Shaikh has over a decade of experience in retail banking, business banking, commercial lending, and SBA finance. He has held senior roles at regional and national financial institutions, managing multimillion-dollar lending portfolios and specializing in SBA 7(a) and 504 lending, commercial credit, and relationship management.

AJ brings a strong commitment to inclusive economic development and small business growth. He currently serves as President & CEO of the Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, where he leads statewide initiatives that support entrepreneurship, supplier diversity, and cross-sector collaboration.

His civic leadership includes service on the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) Minority Business Office Advisory Council and the board of Urban Peak, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting youth experiencing homelessness.

AJ is known for his ability to bridge finance, policy, and community impact, helping organizations advance equitable access to capital and opportunity across Colorado.

Naya Rodriguez
Portfolio Manager

Naya was born and raised in the San Luis Valley, although she also has family rooted in Durango, Mexico. She has nine and a half years of banking experience and spent more than seven years working in consumer and commercial lending, ultimately aiding in the success of numerous small businesses in Colorado.

She is passionate about small businesses and entrepreneurship because they are the heart of our communities: small businesses are what make our day to day lives, whether you are going for ice cream, having dinner, or going to the gym for a workout. At FSWCF, she provides guidance to entrepreneurs on the various funding programs, processes and underwrites applications, and manages our existing portfolio of FSWCF loans. Outside of work hours, she enjoys spending time with her son, riding her motorcycle, wrapping automotive vehicles, taking long walks outside, and singing.

Yani Rodriguez
Lending Specialist

Yani is originally from Chihuahua, Mexico. She moved to Durango, CO when she was 7 years old. She attended school in the Durango School District 9-R and graduated from Durango High School in 2014. After high school, she had an opportunity to work for a local bank as a teller, and after two years moved over to the mortgage department.

The local bank was bought out by another bank, and she decided to make the move to the last locally-owned bank in Durango, First Southwest Bank (FSWB). She started as a Loan Assistant in Commercial Lending in May 2019 and assisted in tellering as needed. She then joined First Southwest Community Fund (FSWCF) in 2022 as the Entrepreneur Success Coordinator. Aside from working and helping the Latin community, she loves camping, spending time at the lake on sunny days and working on getting her Bernedoodle’s certification to become a service dog.