Movers & Shakers: Kimberly Dickens, Jon Collavo & Piero Rossi

August 6, 2026

Bob Coleman
Founder & Publisher

Movers & Shakers: Kimberly Dickens, Jon Collavo & Piero Rossi

Kimberly Dickens Appointed Chief Strategy & Growth Officer for Capital Impact Partners and CDC Small Business Finance

“Kimberly’s extensive background working across the commercial lending space enables her multi-faceted approach that will help both our CDC and CDFI operations excel,” says CEO Ellis Carr. “Navigating the tricky external economic factors that our industry partners and borrowers face requires the strategic mindset she brings.”

Kimberly Dickens serves as the Chief Strategy and Growth Officer for both CDC Small Business Finance and Capital Impact Partners. Dickens is responsible for identifying and pursuing new business opportunities via partnerships, new products, and market expansion opportunities. This includes overseeing the creation of a new three-year strategic plan and the organization’s Strategy & Growth division, which covers marketing, fundraising, product development, and customer success.

Dickens brings more than 20 years of experience, primarily in the financial services sector, driving organic growth. Amongst her roles include serving as a Head of Strategy for Wells Fargo Commercial Lending, Chief Commercial Strategy & Customer Experience Officer at GE Capital, and working as an executive growth strategist and leadership consultant to Fortune 100 companies and small businesses across diverse industries, including financial services, health care, and technology.

Kimberly holds an MBA from The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and a BS in General Business Management and Human Resources from the University of Maryland.

Jon Collavo Joins United Midwest Savings Bank as Senior Vice President, SBA Loan Officer/Commercial Lender

United Midwest Savings Bank has appointed Jon Collavo as Senior Vice President, SBA Loan Officer/Commercial Lender, strengthening its nationwide SBA lending team.

Collavo brings more than 30 years of commercial and SBA lending experience, with previous roles at FirsTier Bank, VelocitySBA, CrossFirst Bank, and Columbia Bank. He has extensive experience structuring and closing SBA loans, with a particular focus on business acquisitions, ownership transitions, partner buyouts, and commercial real estate transactions.

In his new role, Collavo will provide financing solutions to business owners and referral partners nationwide. United Midwest Savings Bank consistently ranks among the top 20 SBA lenders nationally by dollar volume and offers nationwide lending authority, expedited approvals, and experience handling complex SBA transactions.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Collavo is based in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Piero Rossi Joins Ameris Bank as National SBA Business Development Officer

Ameris Bank has appointed Piero Rossi as National SBA Business Development Officer, Vice President. Rossi brings more than 20 years of banking experience, including over seven years as an SBA Business Development Officer at Cadence Bank and previous SBA lending and business banking leadership roles at JPMorgan Chase.

Based in Austin, Texas, Rossi will work with entrepreneurs and referral partners nationwide to structure SBA 7(a) financing for business acquisitions, partner buyouts, commercial real estate, expansions, equipment purchases, and working capital. He will also focus on developing relationships with brokers, CPAs, attorneys, and other centers of influence while guiding borrowers from initial application through closing.

Rossi said he looks forward to continuing to develop his SBA lending expertise under the leadership of Joe Diggs and helping small business customers through the Ameris Bank platform. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Rossi is known for his relationship-driven approach, strategic deal structuring, and emphasis on communication, responsiveness, and efficient execution.