About

Kersy Azocar

“Helping small businesses creates impactful socioeconomic opportunities for all.  I am driven by the concept of “Changing the Narrative” for so many small businesses, in particular those historically disadvantaged, and help them succeed, prosper and very importantly, help them create generational wealth”

Jerry Chiang

“Small businesses are the heart of Philadelphia’s neighborhoods: they create local jobs, celebrate the city’s richness, and bring unique character to our communities. Having supported small businesses in the past, I’m excited to continue serving them in this new city, because it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.”

Tom Ginsberg, Vice Chair

“Business ownership can be a path to financial security, independence, creativity, or just survival. But that path is underused and sometimes unappreciated in Philly. TMF is pushing back”

Peter Gonzales, Board Chair

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of Philly, weaving rich cultural threads and economic resilience into the city’s neighborhoods.”

Bruce Hotaling, CFA (Emeritus)

I have been a part of the Merchants Fund for years now, and have seen its work and impact expand exponentially across Philadelphia’s neighborhoods. Our ability to respond quickly helping business owners and their families and neighbors, resonates strongly with me.

James Johnson-Piett

TMF is a one-of-a-kind institution in Philadelphia (and the nation); there needs to be an entity like The Merchants Fund addressing the full spectrum of needs, challenges, and opportunities for the small merchant class of enterprises in Philly. After 150+ years, the work to build and sustain a city-wide support system for micro and small entrepreneurs – from issuing emergency grants to one-on-one advisory to managing large-scale funding program on behalf of government partner – is more critical than ever.

Vanessa Lowe

”I’m so excited to join the TMF board now, amid the compelling headlines about BIPOC businesses like Black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S. TMF has been funding small businesses long before crowdfunders offered A LOCALIZED APPROACH TO BUSINESS FUNDING. Right now, TMF is funding much needed stabilization and emergency grants to keep BIPOC business doors open. With the growth and increased support of BIPOC businesses perhaps one day we’ll help these business multiply their growth by going public with the First Black-owned stock exchange. I look forward to the journey as we find partners and continue honing our programs to meet the region’s small business community needs.”

Swetha Marisetty

”Small businesses are the backbone of vibrant communities. They bring culture, opportunity, and innovation to everyday life. I’m excited to work with TMF to support entrepreneurs and business owners who are often overlooked, and help them access the tools, capital, and opportunities they deserve.”

Seulky McInneshin

Carey Morgan, Treasurer

TMF is an incredible organization that meets the needs of those businesses that we all say we value, but don’t provide enough support to, especially in hard times. It’s an honor to contribute to such an organization with such a unique mission.

I grew up in a small family business and am a small business owner myself, so I think it’s important to make sure that the small business sector remains viable and local businesses thrive.

Shawn Nesbit

Samantha Porter, Secretary

Elbert Sampson

“Serving on the board of TMF is important to me because it is an opportunity to use my experience and training to provide assistance to the small business community of Philadelphia. As small businesses are stabilized, they are better able to employ more people who are then able to stabilize their communities – all to the good of all of us.”

Shalimar Thomas

TMF serves as an advocate and a voice for merchants across Philadelphia who are in need. They are impact-driven in every sense of the word, and I serve to support their leader, the work, and ultimately the tremendous impact TMF has in Philadelphia. Supporting local small businesses is a vibe. There’s something about walking into a store and knowing the owner and its employees, or if the owner is also a neighbor. It’s truly the definition of community and its economic development at its best. Supporting these businesses and helping them grow is a vibe that we should all try to embrace.

Joanna Winchester

Ana Lisa Yoder

“I believe deeply in TMF’s commitment to addressing historical disparities in the small business community by focusing resources on BIPOC, immigrant and women-owned businesses. I feel genuinely lucky to serve alongside incredibly smart, thoughtful, and committed board members and staff, from whom I learn every time we come together.

Adnan Zulfiqar

“Service on the TMF board is important to me because it provides a crucial lifeline for businesses that are the soul of communities, anchors providing a link to the past, and vital for their prosperous futures.”

Jill Fink

I’m passionate about small businesses and the merchants who run them. I owned a cafe for 13 years and know that small businesses are the heart and soul of our communities. As a former TMF grantee (’08) and board member (’13-’18), I’m fortunate to be in this role providing critical grant and coaching support to those who breathe life and vitality into our neighborhoods.

Natalie Francis

With a background rooted in community strategy, advocacy, and the science of hope, I am beyond excited to join The Merchants Fund. As the daughter of Jamaican immigrants who owned small businesses, I understand how merchants shape our neighborhoods not just through commerce, but through culture, care, and creativity. I bring optimism, compassion, and intention to this work, and I’m especially drawn to how TMF supports businesses beyond the grant, recognizing how factors like health access, connection, and stability influence the success of Philadelphia’s small business community.

Helen Horstmann-Allen

I’m passionate about making Philadelphia a great place to start and grow a business, so I’m so proud of what we do here at TMF to support people doing it!

Miao Liu

Growing up in a small family business showed me how much relationships, connections, and cultural understanding matter. I learned early on that people can come together to make the community around them stronger. That lesson has stayed with me, and my opportunity as a Co-op with TMF has allowed me to live it out—helping small businesses overcome challenges and seeing firsthand how communities grow closer when we support one another. I am also in my sophomore year at Drexel University, working towards an Accounting degree. 

George Pitsakis

George Pitsakis is a business owner, business coach and long-time small business advocate. George’s coaching focuses on practical, individualized strategic planning–meeting business owners where they are at in regards to capacity and desired outcomes. His coaching focuses on benchmarked solutions rather than generalized theory, with a strong emphasis on basic business financials and projections. When not working at TMF, he can be found at his Thai Boxing Gym in South Philly or enjoying America’s public lands. 

“Historically, entrepreneurship has provided Americans–of all color, creed, and walk of life–the chance at greater financial independence and upward mobility. TMF couples direct grant making with crystal clear business coaching in a way that is extremely unique in the marketplace. As small businesses continue to feel the squeeze of inflation, rising costs, and corporate pressure for market share, it is imperative that organizations like TMF exist to bolster the resources and knowledge of Philadelphia’s entrepreneurs.” 

Rachael Viscidy

“I believe small businesses are the cornerstones of great neighborhoods. Small businesses don’t just create jobs and bolster local economies. They enhance the creativity, legacy, and resilience of their communities. Entrepreneurs commit to overcoming enormous challenges in pursuit of achieving their goals and impacting their communities. It’s an honor to meet small business owners on that journey and to provide support along the way.”