NEWARK, N.J. — October 6, 2026 — Allivate Impact Capital® and Ellavoz Impact Capital today announced the formation of the Elevate Social Impact Advisory Board for their Opportunity Zone joint venture. Comprised of nationally recognized leaders in community development, impact investing, affordable housing, economic development and impact measurement, the board will provide independent review and guidance on proposed investments to help ensure the collaboration delivers meaningful and measurable benefits to underserved communities. The board's recommendations will help advance the joint venture's commitment to transparency, accountability and community-centered investment practices.
The announcement builds on the firms' strategic collaboration, which combines Allivate's impact investing and capital structuring expertise with Ellavoz's real estate development and execution capabilities to identify and scale high-impact Opportunity Zone investments across the United States. Together, the organizations will support the creation of affordable workforce housing in Opportunity Zones throughout the country while providing investors with access to curated Opportunity Zone deal flow, integrated investment and development expertise, community-informed investment strategies and transparent impact measurement practices.
The Elevate Social Impact Advisory Board will review proposed investments and provide recommendations regarding their potential community impact prior to consideration by the joint venture's investment committee. The board will evaluate opportunities using impact metrics aligned with the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and the Opportunity Zones Reporting Framework focusing on outcomes such as affordable and workforce housing, job creation, economic development, neighborhood revitalization, support for local developers and increased access to opportunity in low- and moderate-income communities.
In addition to reviewing proposed investments, the board will help inform the joint venture's impact measurement and reporting practices, reinforcing a commitment to accountability and providing investors and stakeholders with transparent reporting on community outcomes.
"Creating positive community impact requires more than good intentions. It requires discipline, accountability and a thoughtful process for evaluating whether an investment will truly benefit the people and neighborhoods it is intended to serve," said Noelle St.Clair Lentz, CEO of Allivate Impact Capital. "As Allivate and Ellavoz work together to scale Opportunity Zone investments nationwide, we believe it is essential to have an independent group of respected leaders who can bring diverse perspectives, challenge assumptions and help ensure community outcomes remain central to every investment decision."
Jeff Crum, CEO of Ellavoz Impact Capital added, “We are thrilled to bring together a group of individuals who have dedicated their careers to designing programs and deploying capital to communities and households that are frequently underserved. This group’s experience and guidance will ensure that our Opportunity Zone investments are committed to projects that deliver meaningful and impact results."
SOCIAL IMPACT ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
The Elevate Social Impact Advisory Board reflects the joint venture's commitment to combining industry-leading expertise with transparent impact governance. The Board's collective expertise spans affordable housing, community development finance, Opportunity Zone policy, impact measurement, public-private partnerships and equitable economic development. Their guidance will help inform investment decisions that seek to generate both attractive returns and community outcomes. Members include:
Khaliff Davis,
Managing Director of Lending & Investing, Reinvestment Fund
Davis oversees the sourcing and execution of investment opportunities for structured funds and other impact-oriented investments and supports the deployment of more than $200 million annually. He also serves as Managing Director of Reinvestment Fund Impact Advisory, providing advisory and fund management services focused on community impact and equitable development.
Catherine Lyons,
Senior Director of Policy and Coalitions, Economic Innovation Group
Lyons leads government affairs and policy initiatives focused on Opportunity Zones and other economic development policies. She has been deeply involved in Opportunity Zone implementation since the legislation's inception and leads EIG's national Opportunity Zone Coalition.
Rachel Reilly,
Senior Director, Pathways to Capital, Milken Institute
Reilly leads efforts to expand equitable access to capital and advance sustainable economic development through public-private partnerships. She previously led impact strategy efforts at the Economic Innovation Group and impact investing initiatives at Enterprise Community Partners.
Katie Rodriguez,
Executive Vice President of Capital Markets, Housing Partnership Network
Rodriguez oversees capital markets strategy for Housing Partnership Network and its affiliated investment platforms. She brings extensive experience raising and deploying capital at scale to support affordable housing and community development initiatives nationwide.
Aaron Seybert,
Managing Director, Social Investment Practice, The Kresge Foundation
Seybert leads social investment activities at The Kresge Foundation and brings decades of experience in community development finance, impact investing, New Markets Tax Credits and place-based economic development strategies.
About Allivate Impact Capital®
Allivate Impact Capital® is an impact investing firm with a mission of using innovative capital solutions to elevate communities, alleviate poverty, and activate entrepreneurial ecosystems. As a subsidiary of Woodforest Financial Group, Allivate leverages an award-winning Community Development Team to deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns from investments while delivering measurable positive social impact. Learn more at allivate.com and follow us on LinkedIn®.
Ellavoz Impact Capital
Ellavoz Impact Capital LLC, is a social impact investor, advisor, asset manager, and real estate developer focused on creating and preserving workforce and affordable housing and other community-oriented real estate properties. Ellavoz’s strategy concentrates investments into price-attainable housing and economic development projects by working with socially aligned operators, local nonprofits, and governmental agencies to deliver positive community outcomes and double bottom line returns. For more information about Ellavoz Impact Capital, visit our website at Ellavoz.com.
Nothing contained herein should be deemed a prediction or projection of future performance of any funds managed by Allivate Impact Capital or Ellavoz Impact Capital, and any information regarding performance is presented solely to illustrate underwriting criteria and analysis. Past performance shall not be construed to be indicative of future performance result.
Nothing herein constitutes an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy interests in any investment, fund or other vehicle sponsored by Allivate Impact Capital, Ellavoz Impact Capital or any of their affiliates or partners. Any such offer or solicitation will only be made pursuant to confidential, definitive offering documents delivered to qualified investors and only in those jurisdictions where permitted by law.