Meet the Team
Terrence Johnson, Executive Director
Terrence brings a unique set of skills honed over a 25-year career in public service and the private sector. His values and passion align perfectly with Greenwood Archer Capital’s mission to improve access to the resources Black and other minority entrepreneurs need to build strong, sustainable businesses and more resilient communities.
Terrence joins us from the City of Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development’s Incentives Division and brings years of experience at Harris Bank, Prudential Mortgage Capital Co., and PWC, where he helped entrepreneurs gain access to the financial resources and information they needed.
"I am incredibly excited to lead GAC," said Terrence Johnson, Executive Director, GAC. “There is an urgent need to improve access to capital for small business owners, especially minority business owners operating in under-resourced and disinvested communities. I look forward to developing and implementing programs that will build and expand the capacity of GAC to bring accessible, affordable capital to help small businesses grow and thrive. That, in turn, will contribute to the health and well-being of our overall economy."
Laura Garcia Escarzaga, Senior Loan Officer
Laura is a strategic finance professional with expertise in small business lending, impact investing, and risk management. At Greenwood Archer Capital, she leads efforts to identify and support underserved and minority-owned businesses by structuring customized financial solutions and securing funding to drive local economic growth. Laura designs and implements targeted financial coaching programs that improve capital access, cash flow management, and long-term sustainability for small businesses across Chicago's South and West sides.
Her previous experience includes managing a $1 billion commercial loan restructuring portfolio at Citi and conducting financial modeling and due diligence for impact investments at the Steve Tarrson Investment Fund. Laura holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, with concentrations in Finance and Strategic Management, and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations with a minor in Finance from ITAM.
Marlene Guzman, Loan Officer
As a Loan Officer for GAC, Marlene focuses on underwriting loan requests, connecting with potential applicants and existing borrowers about their businesses and providing technical assistance to entrepreneurs.
While earning her master’s in urban planning and public policy from UIC Marlene interned for the real estate team at CNI where she focused on drafting funding applications. Prior to CNI, Marlene interned at Farpoint Development where she conducted real estate, retail and arts market research on the Bronzeville submarket. She also was a tenant organizer for the Jane Addams Senior Caucus.
Marlene earned a Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies from Lewis & Clark College and a Master’s degree in urban planning and public policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago.