Gabriela Campoverde: Connecting Communities with Capital
Ladderworks is a publishing platform of diverse picture books and online curriculum with the mission to empower over a million kids to become social entrepreneurs. Our current series features interviews by our interplanetary journalist Spiffy with inspiring Social Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders, and Changemakers who are advancing the UN SDGs.
Hey, friends! Spiffy here, back with the scoop on the changemaking leaders of Planet Earth. As the only interplanetary journalist stationed on this blue planet, I’m thrilled to present this galactic exclusive with Gabriela Ariana Campoverde, the founder and CEO of Miren. Let’s learn what’s happening at Miren and how Gabriela is making a positive impact in the world.
Spiffy: Hi, Gabriela! Thanks a million for talking to me today. Tell me, what challenge are you addressing through Miren?
Gabriela: Thanks for having me, Spiffy! Miren helps community lenders deploy capital into the most in-need neighborhoods across the US. Our clients serve small businesses and individuals who are typically turned away from banks given their lack of credit or credit-thin files. Miren provides software for clients to manage technical assistance, loan applications, programs, and loan portfolios. This means clients can help more people in their communities reach their funding goals faster and grow their businesses or buy their dream home.
Spiffy: I like to hear you’re helping people achieve their goals and dreams! What motivates you to do it?
Gabriela: Growing up in a working-class immigrant community, I understood the importance of affordable loans and how this funding can generate foundational wealth for the individuals who were able to access this capital. Working with these microlenders, we are able to have a ripple effect into communities across the country.
Spiffy: That’s a cool journey to lead you to this point. What would you say is the impact of your work?
Gabriela: Miren allows clients to serve more community members meaning these communities will benefit from the economic development that comes from the growth and launch of small businesses, new affordable housing, and income mobility.
Spiffy: How wonderful, it sounds like you’re positively impacting communities tremendously. Is there anything else you would love to tell our audience?
Gabriela: We started this company by giving out loans to small businesses!
Spiffy: Wow, you started small and grew to multiple verticals. Can’t wait to see you continue to grow and spark change in communities. Thanks for speaking with me today, Gabriela—it’s been an honor!
After a career in financial services in product management, cybersecurity, and acquisition marketing, Gaby started Miren to address the gap in financing capital for small businesses. She has an MBA from The Wharton School, BA from Swarthmore College, and masters in computer science from the University of Pennsylvania. (Nominated by Andrea Perdomo of Common Futures. First published on the Ladderworks website on May 24, 2023.)
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect those of Ladderworks LLC.
© 2023 Ladderworks LLC. Edited by Lindsey Brannon. Spiffy’s illustration by Shreyas Navare. For the Ladderworks digital curriculum to help K-3 kids advance the UN SDGs, visit Spiffy's Launchpad: Creative Entrepreneurship Workshops for K-3 Kids and their caregivers here.