Sharnell Curtis-Martin

Associate Managing Director and Community Development Relationship Manager - CIBC USA

Sharnell joined CIBC USA (formerly the Private Bank) in 2016 as an Associate Managing Director and Relationship Manager in the bank’s Community Development Group. In her role, Sharnell works closely with business owners seeking capital resources needed to establish and grow their businesses. Sharnell also works with organizations that provide entrepreneurial training programs, chambers of commerce, community development organizations and various government agencies and with government officials.

Prior to joining the Private Bank, Sharnell was the Director the Access to Capital Program for the Women’s Business Development Center. In this position, Sharnell worked with business owners to launch new businesses and to strengthen existing business owners in the Chicagoland area. In addition to direct lending, Sharnell also hosted the workshop series “Boosting Your Bottom Line” as well as Financial Clinics designed to work with business owners to assist them in resolving their financial challenges.

Sharnell’s career also included 14 years with the Illinois Finance Authority “IFA”. As a Senior Funding Manager, Sharnell was responsible for providing economic development assistance and managing financing transactions for small and mid-size businesses, manufacturers, and not-for-profit organizations. Sharnell managed several program initiatives including the SBA Microloan Program and represented the IFA on the Governor’s Illinois Workforce Advantage Task Force and on the Illinois Housing Development Authority’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

In her career, Sharnell has closed more than 500 bond, lease, and loan transactions representing more than $1.2 billion in financings.