Connie E. Evans
Board Member
Connie E. Evans is a visionary leader, social entrepreneur, and seasoned investor with a distinguished career in community development finance, women’s economic empowerment, and social impact investing. With expertise spanning domestic and international economic development, she has played a pivotal role in shaping policies and programs that foster entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, and sustainable growth.
Career Highlights
Transformational Leadership: As the former President & CEO of the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO), Connie spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives that modernized microbusiness support systems in the U.S., leveraging technology, strategic partnerships, and national policy advocacy to uplift underserved entrepreneurs.
Trailblazing Social Enterprise: She founded the Women’s Self-Employment Project (WSEP), the first U.S. microenterprise program designed for economically disadvantaged women. Her work introduced Individual Development Accounts and pioneered the urban adaptation of the Grameen Bank model in the U.S.
Global Economic Impact: Connie has provided strategic advisory services for leading international organizations such as the World Bank, DFID, and USAID, driving policy reforms and program implementations across 45+ countries to stimulate economic development and financial equity.
Professional Recognition & Board Leadership
Connie’s influence extends to high-impact governance roles, including her historic appointment as the first Black woman on the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. She has also held presidential appointments under both the Clinton and Obama administrations and received the first Presidential Award for Excellence from the Clinton White House.
In addition to her consulting and philanthropic work, Connie serves on the board of Cadence OTC, a pharmaceutical startup, and remains actively engaged in fostering inclusive economic growth through investment and advisory roles.
At TriNex Consulting
As Founder & President of TriNex Consulting, Connie leads an innovative firm dedicated to helping organizations navigate complex challenges, leverage emerging opportunities, and drive measurable social and economic impact