WHO
WE ARE
Eager, experienced, flexible, ready.
Venture North provides small business loans and resources in Northwest lower Michigan for economic and community development. As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund, we make capital accessible to entrepreneurs who might not have other avenues to start or grow their business.
We serve low-income and rural communities across Emmet, Charlevoix, Antrim, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Manistee, Wexford, and Missaukee counties in Northern Michigan.
Our team of experts bring decades of experience in small business success, banking, finance, data analysis, and community development. A call to Venture North means an agile response to new opportunities and a belief in the power of entrepreneurs.
Your Team
Click pics for full bio
Board of Directors

CARLA GRIBBS | Chair
Formerly of DTE Energy

LAURA REZNICH | Treasurer
Director of Finance | Plascon

LAURA TRUDEAU | Secretary
Principal | Trudeau Consulting

FRED TURCOTTE | Immediate
Past Chair
CFO | Hagerty

SKIP SIMMS | Loan Committee Chair
Senior VP | Ann Arbor SPARK

WARREN CALL
President & CEO | Traverse Connect

TODD CIOLEK
Director | Cherry Republic

LAUREN HARRIS
Director | Advantage Benefits

ALICIA MAITLAND
Director | Munson Medical Center

SAKURA TAKANO
Director | Rotary Charities

GREG WEST
Program Manager | CDBG - Michigan
Economic Dev.
Corporation