Salli Martyniak

Board Member

From 2003-2019, Salli served as President of Forward Community Investments (FCI), a nonprofit community development financial institution that provides low-cost, flexible financing, technical financial assistance and grants to mission-based organizations throughout Wisconsin. Resources offered by FCI are directed to nascent and established organizations that are addressing racial inequities and socioeconomic disparities.

During her tenure at FCI, investment capital grew 20-fold and loan volume quadrupled. The organization has grown from countywide to statewide and the fund has experienced record deployment levels. Additionally, FCI is a four-time winner of $120 million in New Market Tax Credits, a highly-competitive financing tool which FCI uses to fund the development of larger mission-based projects throughout Wisconsin.

Salli brings a wealth of multi-sector experience to the table when she is working in the community. Highlights of her career include 30+ years in community development and business banking at Wisconsin Housing & Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), US Bank and Associated Bank. Her housing experience includes developing The Holly House, a transitional home for homeless single women.

Her interest in social justice and advocacy helps Salli determine how and where she spends her time. To that end, she serves on various community boards and committees, including Community Reinvestment Fund USA and Madison365. She is also a member of several New Market Tax Credit community benefit advisory boards.

She has guest lectured at classes at the UW-Madison Small Business Development Center and the Open Society Institute. Through Forward Community Investments, Salli is active in the redevelopment of several economically-distressed neighborhoods in Madison, Wisconsin. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Salli lives in Madison with her husband, Loren, and their sweet dog, Sadie.

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