Sara M. Saldana 

Chief Lending Officer 

 LiftFund Inc. 

Sara M. Saldana serves as Chief Lending Officer at LiftFund, one of the nation’s leading Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), where she oversees lending strategy, loan production, and portfolio performance across the organization’s multistate footprint. With more than 30 years of experience in consumer and small business lending, strategic growth, and community engagement, Sara is committed to expanding access to capital for underserved entrepreneurs and strengthening economic opportunity in historically marginalized communities. 

In her role, Sara leads initiatives focused on innovative lending solutions, responsible capital deployment, and scalable programs that support small business growth, job creation, and long-term community impact. Her leadership plays a key role in advancing LiftFund’s mission to empower entrepreneurs through equitable access to financing and business support services. 

Raised in Laredo, Texas, Sara was brought up in a hardworking Hispanic household grounded in resilience, faith, and family values. As the first college graduate in her family, Sara brings a deep personal commitment to advancing economic opportunity and empowering future generations of entrepreneurs.  Her perspective is shaped by both lived experience and decades of lending expertise supporting entrepreneurs and underserved communities nationwide.