The Clinton Global Initiative America meeting, held last week in Chicago, focused on job creation in the U.S. I was inspired by President Clinton’s continued engagement on solving our nation’s problems, and just generally blown away by his command of the issues. One of Opportunity Fund’s most successful clients, Simonida Cvejic, CEO of Bay Area Medical Academy, was on the opening plenary panel, and more than held her own up on stage with Haley Barbour, Laura Tyson and other heavyweights.

Simonida is a leader in the area of workforce training; her school is an example of how to successfully move people into jobs that turn into long-term healthcare careers. While up on stage, Simonida represented not just her own institution, but carried the flag for Opportunity Fund and the U.S. microfinance movement, demonstrating the impact of a good loan, at a fair price, at the right moment for a small business that goes on to reap dividends in the community for years to come in terms of creating jobs and stimulating the local economy. Simonida embodies what a small loan in the hands of an amazing woman can accomplish.  It was humbling to sit in the audience and watch Simonida charge full force into the issues of job training and expanding economic opportunity with luminaries on this contemporary and critical issue.

At the closing plenary, President Clinton talked with Treasury Secretary Geithner about the financial crisis and ongoing economic troubles in the U.S.  I was extremely disappointed to hear Secretary Geithner sum up the reason for the whole mess as follows:  “People had more debt than could be supported by their incomes.”  While this was of course true, it leaves out any mention of the culpability of Wall Street and the financial sector in getting us to that point.  I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am disappointed.

On the bright side, President Clinton made several mentions of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) as an important part of the solution to our economic woes.  Bless him for his continuing leadership!