Washington, DC – Martin Eakes, chief executive officer of the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL), today announced that Laura Arce has joined the board of directors of the nonprofit, nonpartisan research and policy advocacy organization that works to promote financial fairness and economic opportunity for all, end predatory lending, and close the racial wealth gap.
Ms. Arce is senior vice president for Economic Initiatives at UnidosUS. She rejoined UnidosUS in 2022 to develop, launch, and lead the “Home Ownership Means Equity” (HOME) Initiative – a multi‐year institutional priority that seeks to transform the economic trajectory of Latinos through homeownership.
During her first tour at UnidosUS, she successfully co‐authored the certification application for the Raza Development Fund, the first CDFI sponsored by a civil rights organization, and secured federal funding to establish a national network of housing counseling agencies focused on increasing Latino homeownership.
Previously, Laura has held senior positions with Wells Fargo & Co., the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as well as other organizations across the private, nonprofit, and public sectors. Laura currently sits on Fannie Mae’s Affordable Housing Advisory Council and has previously sat on the boards of the Mission Asset Fund and Community Tax Aid.
She holds a master’s degree in urban planning from Rutgers University where she was a Community Development Fellow. Laura grew up in Oakland, CA – bilingual and bicultural – and is based in Washington, DC.
“I look forward to advancing CRL’s mission of providing nonpartisan research and fact-based advocacy to ensure financial fairness for all Americans,” said Arce. “Today, more than ever, we need strong leadership and funding support for our efforts to promote economic opportunity for all, end predatory lending and close the racial wealth gap.”
“We are very excited to welcome Laura to her first board meeting this week. Her insight, experience and energy will advance CRL efforts to ensure a fair, inclusive financial marketplace that creates opportunities for all families and individuals, regardless of their income,” added Eakes.
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Press Contact: Alfred King alfred.king@responsiblelending.org