Woodforest National Bank Holds First Woodforest Foundry Cohort Graduation in Chicago Area

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Nov. 7, 2019 -- Recently, Woodforest National Bank^® ("Woodforest") graduated 11 local entrepreneurs from the Woodforest Foundry^SM cohort program in Aurora, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago). This is the first cohort graduation for the Woodforest Foundry in Aurora.

The Woodforest Foundry cohort is a curriculum-based, learning model that helps aspiring entrepreneurs take action, and create and test their ideas in a collaborative and nurturing environment of like-minded peers and local, successful small business owners within their own community.

Founded in 2017, The Woodforest Foundry is facilitated by entrepreneurs, to support other entrepreneurs, acting as mentors to activate local entrepreneurial ecosystems, which revitalizes underserved communities and helps grow businesses. With the Woodforest Foundry, entrepreneurs find trusted guidance from peers, Woodforest bankers and community partners. The Woodforest Foundry program is also currently running in San Antonio and Austin, Texas and Louisville, Kentucky.

"The Woodforest Foundry in Aurora is an amazing addition in our Aurora community. Our ecosystem of resources is here and ready to grow our local talent. In our cohort we have witnessed participants gain a better understanding of their customers and create a clear roadmap for success. We look forward to continuing the Woodforest Foundry in 2020," said Terrie Simmons, President and CEO of Strategic Exceptions, and Director, Women's Business Center in Aurora.

Doug Schaeffer, Executive Vice President, CRA Executive Director, commented, "Woodforest's local Retail and Community Development Teams worked closely with our community partners in Aurora over the past two years to make this initiative happen. It's great to see how these strong collaborations have started to yield positive results for entrepreneurs within the local ecosystem, and we look forward to working together in 2020 to continue this momentum."

For more information about the Woodforest Foundry, please contact Doug Schaeffer at dschaeffer@woodforest.com.

About Woodforest

Celebrating over 39 years of community banking service, Woodforest National Bank has successfully stood among the strongest community banks in the nation, proudly offering outstanding quality customer service since 1980. Woodforest currently operates over 700 branches in 17 states across the United States. For more information about Woodforest National Bank, please visit www.woodforest.com.