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Joe Neri to retire as CEO following 28 years with the organization, to be succeeded by Kirby Burkholder, current President of IFF’s Core Business Solutions
Chicago, IL (July 29, 2025) – IFF, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), recognized nationally as a mission-driven lender, real-estate consultant, and community developer for Midwest nonprofits, announced today that Joe Neri will be retiring as CEO, effective December 31, 2025. Kirby Burkholder, IFF veteran and president of Core Business Solutions, will succeed Neri as IFF’s third CEO, following a unanimous vote by IFF’s Board of Directors.
Neri first joined IFF in 1997 and took the helm as CEO in 2011. During his impressive tenure, he established IFF’s real estate consulting and research businesses, led the organization’s expansion to 10 states, created Home First, a housing development corporation for persons with disabilities, and grew IFF’s on-balance sheet loan portfolio to more than $600 million with nearly $1.1 billion in managed assets. In 2023, under Neri’s leadership, IFF had its most impactful year to date closing 153 loans that provided $233.9 million in capital to nonprofit changemakers.
“It has been a great privilege to spend the majority of my career with IFF and to have had the opportunity to lead the organization as CEO for the past 14 years,” said Neri. “I’ve always believed that nonprofits are one of the greatest engines of social change and with access to financing and facilities they can greatly impact their communities for the better. IFF is committed to being that partner and for nearly three decades I have seen the impact. I am so honored to have been a part of this mission, and I know there is so much more impact to come under Kirby’s leadership.”
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to express our deep gratitude to Joe for his nearly three decades of steadfast leadership. IFF is the organization it is today because of his vision, heart, and unwavering commitment to community,” said Sakura Takano, chair of IFF’s Board of Directors. “Joe has spent his career working to ensure that all communities—especially those historically overlooked—have access to the resources they need to thrive. His impact will be felt for years to come. As we look ahead, we’re equally grateful for Kirby’s leadership. His long-standing dedication to IFF’s mission and his thoughtful approach to partnership give us great confidence as he steps into the role of CEO and guides the organization into its next chapter.”
“I am honored to take on the role of IFF’s next CEO,” said Burkholder. “In my tenure at IFF, I have seen what is possible when passionate people come together with nonprofit changemakers to elevate thriving communities. I am excited for what lies ahead and to build on everything that Joe, and IFF’s founder, Trinita Logue, have accomplished to get us where we are today.”
Burkholder joined IFF’s real estate consulting business in 2001 and has since worked in various roles across the organization including as executive director for the St. Louis office where under his direction the loan portfolio grew to $75 million, executive director for the Eastern Region (Michigan and Ohio) leading IFF’s expansion into Michigan, president of IFF’s Social Impact Accelerator, and president of Core Business Solutions where he oversees IFF’s lending, real estate consulting, and development services. Burkholder has been a key senior leader at IFF for nearly 20 years, helping to expand the organization’s footprint and grow the loan portfolio.
Since 1988, IFF has been working at the intersection of facilities and finance and has provided $1.8 billion in flexible, affordable financing to nonprofits serving a variety of sectors in order to increase their financial stability and programmatic offerings. Headquartered in Chicago, with regional offices in Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, and St. Louis, IFF is dedicated to making a lasting impact in communities where traditional financing options are scarce.
To learn more visit iff.org, follow IFF on LinkedIn and Facebook @iffcdfi, or read the 2024 Impact Report at iff.org/2024-annual-report/.
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Media Contact: Laura Silverman, Managing Director of Communications | lsilverman@iff.org, 312-668-8271