MICHAEL LAFAVE
Minneapolis,MN
Summary
Seasoned community development professional with nearly 20 years of senior leadership experience in community economic development and affordable housing. Adept at navigating complicated problems and shaping strategic direction. Focused on maximizing talent within teams and achieving measurable results. Excellent communicator and talent developer.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Vice President
Project For Pride In Living
09.2019 - 12.2023
- Stability
- Oversaw all housing functions including new housing development, property management (1500 units), resident services and asset management;
- Established performance benchmarks, implemented strategic direction, ensured functional alignment and integration between divisions
- Restructured workflow for increased efficiency, optimizing resource allocation and improving communication between teams.
- Member of executive team; presented regularly to Board of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors.
Principal
Community Capital Consulting
05.2016 - 01.2019
- Operated consulting practice focused on driving capital and capacity toward impactful community-driven initiatives and identifying solutions to community economic development challenges
- Clients included: Springboard for the Arts, Cultural Wellness Center, Latino Economic Development Center, McKnight Foundation, Migizi Communications, Family Housing Fund, City of Minneapolis, Northpoint Inc., New American Development Center, West Broadway Area Coalition/Appetite for Change, Metropolitan Consortium of Community Developers, and the FINNovation Lab.
Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Neighborhood Development Center
01.2008 - 04.2016
- Oversaw operations of NDC’s core programs: entrepreneur training, small business lending, technical assistance, and real estate development
- Supervised department heads
- Facilitated cross departmental coordination
- Managed creation and implementation of organizational strategic plan and reporting to Board of Directors
- Managed annual budgeting process
- Oversaw day-to-day financial management, including cashflow and budget-to-actual analysis
- Developed strategies for capitalization and utilization of debt; ensured compliance with funding covenants
- Underwrote investments in small businesses and real estate projects
- Led refinancing efforts for Plaza Verde and Midtown Global Markets projects.
Director of Real Estate Development
Neighborhood Development Center
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Oversaw NDC’s real estate portfolio
- Reviewed financial performance, managed budgeting, planned for capital improvements, and facilitated strategic positioning
- Developed strategies for financing and re-finance; negotiated with lenders.
Real Estate Program Manager
Neighborhood Development Center
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Managed real estate initiatives:
- Served as project manager for redevelopment of the Old Swedish Bank Building;
- Coordinated leasing and financial structuring of the Midtown Global Market;
Program Officer
Local Initiatives Support Corporation, LISC
01.2000 - 01.2004
- Underwrote Twin Cities LISC’s investments in low-income housing and economic development projects
- Underwrote over $3.5 million in investments in affordable housing and commercial real estate projects
- Designed and successfully implemented new lending programs in response to changing market forces, including Twin Cities LISC’s acquisition loan program and working capital loan program
- Advised community development corporations on planning and structuring real estate development projects, including the development of rental and for-sale housing, commercial space and community facilities
- Advised community development corporations on utilizing advanced financing tools including Low Income Housing Tax Credits, New Markets Tax Credits, tax increment financing and housing revenue bonds
- Managed Twin Cities LISC’s credit committee, including preparation of all meeting materials.
Associate Financial Advisor
Ehlers and Associates
01.1998 - 01.2000
- Advised municipalities across Minnesota on the use of tax increment financing and on the public financing component of their housing and economic development projects
- Prepared cashflow projections, risk analysis, and structuring options for public debt and financing; made presentations to city staff and city councils
Education
Leadership Program
NeighborWorks America Achieving Excellence Program
Harvard Kennedy School2016
J.D. -
University of Minnesota Law School
Minneapolis, MN1999
Master of Arts - Community Economic Development
University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs
Minneapolis, MN1999
Bachelor of Arts - African American Studies
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Madison, WI1993
Skills
- Strategic Program Development/Program Alignment
- Organizational Development
- Non traditional Real Estate Finance
- Performance Management
- Financial Structuring
- Process Improvements
- Talent Development
- Mentoring
Languages
Spanish
Professional Working
Publications
Mixed Use Development in the Twin Cities, Issues and Best Practices
Twin Cities LISC, 2003 (with JoAnna Hicks);
Taking Back the Giveaways: Minnesota’s Corporate Welfare Legislation and the Search for Accountability, MINNESOTA LAW REVIEW, Vol 80, No 6, June 1996.
Board Participation
- Board of Directors, Model Cities Community Development Corporation. 2016 – 2019.
- Finance Committee, Cultural Wellness Center. 2016 – present.
- Board of Directors (President), East Side Neighborhood Development Company. 2012 – 2017.
- Board of Directors (President), Southeast Soccer Club. 2012 – 2014.
- Real Estate Committee, Juxtaposition Arts. 2006 – 2015.
- Real Estate Committee, City of Lakes Community Land Trust. 2006 – 2013.
- Board of Directors, Wendell Phillips Community Development Credit Union. 2000 – 2001.
- Board of Directors (Treasurer), Seward Child Care Center. 2003 – 2005.
Timeline
Senior Vice President
Project For Pride In Living
09.2019 - 12.2023
Principal
Community Capital Consulting
05.2016 - 01.2019
Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Neighborhood Development Center
01.2008 - 04.2016
Director of Real Estate Development
Neighborhood Development Center
01.2006 - 01.2008
Real Estate Program Manager
Neighborhood Development Center
01.2005 - 01.2006
Program Officer
Local Initiatives Support Corporation, LISC
01.2000 - 01.2004
Associate Financial Advisor
Ehlers and Associates
01.1998 - 01.2000
Leadership Program
NeighborWorks America Achieving Excellence Program
J.D. -
University of Minnesota Law School
Master of Arts - Community Economic Development
University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs
Bachelor of Arts - African American Studies
University of Wisconsin, Madison