Julinda Sulce

I grew up in Albania where my parents ran a small business, which gave me early exposure to entrepreneurship. After moving to the United States at age [AGE], I pursued my education in global business while working in retail, selling refrigerators at Sears. A manager who worked part-time at both Sears and MidFirst Bank offered me an opportunity to join the banking industry, which I saw as a great way to apply what I was learning in my university studies. I spent 12 years in business banking, most recently at Capital One, where I gained deep experience in commercial lending. Throughout my career, I often had to decline businesses seeking financing because they didn't fit traditional banking criteria, and each time was heartbreaking. I had long known about Chicanos Por la Causa and referred businesses to them as a resource. When they reached out to me with a position, I was excited because it aligned with what I was seeking - something more fulfilling. After leaving Capital One in October 2024, I took time to travel, spend time with family, and reflect on what I truly wanted. I joined Chicanos Por la Causa and Prestamos in early 2025, where I now help businesses around the Valley access financing when traditional banks cannot serve them. As a community development financial institution, we work with businesses that are starting, scaling, or purchasing, providing solutions beyond the rigid criteria of conventional lending. What I'm most proud of is building a community and being a trusted advisor and connector - someone people can reach out to for help, whether for business or personal matters.