Difference Makers 2.0

About Difference Makers 2.0

Difference Makers is a podcast series from the Native CDFI Network and Tribal Business News that explores how Native community development financial institutions (CDFIs) are reshaping the future of tribal economies — one loan, one partnership, one bold idea at a time.

Publisher

Hosts: Pete Upton, Brian Edwards, Elyse Wild | Producers: Native CDFI Network, Tribal Business News

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

6 May 2024

Latest episode

20 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

31 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Aug 2026

   Beyond the Grants

   Native CDFIs know their communities. Banks have capital. But bringing the two together takes more than a grant. In this episode of Difference Makers 3.0, host Brian Edwards and co-host Pete Upton talk with Wells Fargo Senior Vice President Tim Rios about how banks and Native CDFIs can build stronger, long-term financial partnerships. The conversation explores relationship banking, patient capital, risk and familiarity, and what banks need to understand before investing in Native CDFIs. Rios a...

2. 

   9 Jul 2026

   Mid-Year Update

   The first half of 2026 brought both momentum and uncertainty for Native community development financial institutions. Native CDFIs continue to expand their reach, with about 65 certified institutions nationwide and nearly three dozen more organizations working toward certification. The Native CDFI Network has also launched new initiatives to support emerging lenders, strengthen lending expertise and build capacity across the industry. At the same time, Native CDFIs are navigating a rapidly ch...

3. 

   18 Jun 2026

   Why Only Three?

   California is home to the largest Native population in the United States and 109 federally recognized tribes. Yet only three Native CDFIs currently operate in the state. Recorded during and after the 2026 California CDFI Summit in Sacramento, this episode explores the effort to strengthen existing Native CDFIs, support the creation of new Native-led financial institutions and expand access to capital in Native communities throughout California. Guests and voices in this episode: • Nate Schaff...

Who has been a guest on Difference Makers 2.0

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Kelly Price
• NACDC Financial Services' leaders
• MNI Sota Fund's leaders

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 20 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

39

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

Contact Difference Makers 2.0

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.