Get ready to dive into this juicy conversation, with host Nikishka Iyengar and Leslie Lindo, whom has dedicated over a decade of her career working to change the systems that have been most extractive on social and natural ecosystems. In this episode, Leslie drops some serious knowledge about community wealth building through the Olamina Fund – a model of non-extractive finance created by Candide Group to address gaps in access to capital to support community wealth building through more flexible and community-engaged investments, particularly for communities historically excluded from the economy. Leslie also offers a glimpse into her broader work engaging with the solidarity economy through her work serving on the board of the New Economy Coalition. Highlights: •.Entrepreneurial Mindset and Work: Leslie initiated a program called Project Rising in Phoenix to activate vacant lots and abandoned buildings by involving the community and developing investment-worthy projects. Realizing that traditional financing approaches didn't adequately support innovative and community-centered projects, Leslie got involved in changing the structure of project financing. • Olamina Fund's Community Engagement and Partnership: Leslie describes the value of designing and working with a community advisory board and other community partners, emphasizing the importance of gathering feedback and learning from the community's experiences to improve future iterations. The focus is on collaboration and identifying investment opportunities that align with community needs, such as supporting emerging funds and transferring land and real estate to community control. • Creative Financial Support: Nikishka and Leslie discuss the need to think creatively about financial models with the goal to tailor the funding approach to meet the specific needs of the organizations being supported. For example, methods of supporting organizations that may not be able to make payments in the early stages of development, such as exploring longer timeframes for investments and seeking the right investor partners who are willing to structure their investments accordingly. • Personal and Organizational Growth: Leslie reflects on her personal and organizational growth, highlighting the journey of working with the New Economy Coalition (NEC) and other organizations. She describes the evolution of NEC's structure and decision-making models, emphasizing the importance of listening, leaning into values, and finding ways to redistribute wealth. Leslie also acknowledges the emotional labor involved in this work and expresses a need for grace, patience, and ongoing learning. You can check out the Show Notes for this episode (eg: Guest Bio, Links to Relevant Resources, and Transcript) at www.theroadtorepair.com/s2-ep6