A Coleman Conversation: Stephanie Dunn
August 20, 2025
Bob Coleman
Founder & Publisher
In this week’s episode of A Coleman Conversation, Bob Coleman speaks with Stephanie Dunn, Chief Revenue Officer at Community Bank and Trust. Stephanie, a passionate and seasoned executive in small business lending, shares her inspiring journey from Montreal to the U.S. and her deep-seated belief in the American dream. The conversation reveals her unique insights on the explosive growth of their SBA lending division, the critical need for regulatory and technological reform, and why she views small businesses not just as clients, but as the very lifeblood of the American economy.
Topics Covered:
✓ Stephanie’s journey from Montreal to the U.S. and her belief in the American dream
✓ The significant growth and success of Community Bank and Trust’s SBA lending division, Phoenix Lending Services
✓ The need for technological reform and a more “borrower-friendly” communication platform within the SBA to simplify the lending process for entrepreneurs
✓ Stephanie’s involvement with the North Carolina Innovation Council, a technology sandbox that attracts businesses and creates jobs
✓ The “Lords of Lending” initiative, a value-add platform created to provide small business owners with free information on navigating the lending process
✓ Stephanie’s perspective on why the small business economy is the lifeblood of America and the importance of SBA lending in supporting it