Links: 

• LinkedIn

• Personal Website

Professional Athlete | Dallas Cowboy

Jaylon Smith is the starting middle linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, along with being the Founder & CEO of 9 Enterprises LLC. An organization that specializes in private equity investments and real estate development.

In 2017, Jaylon made his NFL debut on September 10, starting at middle linebacker against the New York Giants in the season opener. He recorded 7 total tackles and a forced fumble. In the following game against the Denver Broncos, Jaylon recorded 14 tackles. During the start of the season, injuries to other linebackers forced the Cowboys to play Smith more than expected (63 tackles in the first six games). Jaylon was exposed a great deal, specifically in passing situations, which caused struggles for other teams. In the last 10 games, he was used as a backup. He finished with 1 sack and 81 tackles, which is one of the highest single-season totals by a first-year player in franchise history.

Philanthropy

Going to Africa and giving back has meant everything to Jaylon because it has exemplified his purpose beyond athletics in a unique and wonderful way. Giving back has always been a huge part of Jaylon’s life whether it has been through donating time, money, resources, knowledge or anything at all because to him, it is about giving back to the world and helping himself grow. Jaylon views giving back to his community and the world as his purpose and he learns greatly from people who have given back to him.

South Africa was extremely important to Jaylon because he was able to gain so much knowledge regarding his ancestors and where he originated from. Growing up hearing stereotypes and later in life getting the opportunity to actually travel to South Africa was a great feeling and very eye-opening and changed many perceptions for Jaylon. Traveling to South Africa meant so much to Jaylon that he actually got the continent tattooed on himself. He is very proud to have originated from such a place and counts himself as extremely blessed to have had the opportunity to have traveled there. Jaylon can’t wait to travel back to South Africa in the future and is excited for many more opportunities to give back.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO FAITH DRIVEN INVESTOR

 Links:

• LinkedIn

Co-Founder and Managing Partner | RoseRock

Bio:

Jeff helps direct the firm’s acquisitions along with responsibilities for finance and legal matters and lender/banking relations.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO FAITH DRIVEN INVESTOR

Links: 

• Website

• Denver Institute for Faith & Work

CEO & Executive Director | Denver Institute for Faith & Work

Bio:

Jeff Haanen is the CEO and founder of Denver Institute for Faith & Work, an educational nonprofit dedicated to forming men and women to serve God, neighbor, and society through their daily work. He’s also the founder of the 5280 Fellowship, a program for emerging leaders in Colorado, and Scatter.org, a free learning platform on faith, work, and culture. He writes for various publications, such as Christianity Today, on topics ranging from business to retirement to the American working class. He lives in Denver Colorado with his wife and four daughters. 

Life:

• Family. “I’m married to a beautiful wife and have four gorgeous little girls. Yes, four.”

• Faith. “Bottom line: I am a servant of Jesus Christ. As my favorite song (“In Christ alone” by Keith Getty) goes, ‘I am His and He is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ.’”

CONTRIBUTIONS TO FAITH DRIVEN INVESTOR

Links: 

• LinkedIn

• Impact Foundation

CEO | Impact Foundation

Bio:

As Impact Foundation’s CEO, Jeff brings extensive experience and acumen in business development and fundraising to the leadership of Impact Foundation. Prior to launching Impact Foundation, Jeff spent 12 years at the National Christian Foundation (NCF) concentrating on network expansion. His affiliate team grew annual charitable contributions from $40 million to more than $850 million and raised more than $4 billion for Kingdom impact and positive change. In addition, Jeff has developed and led efforts to extend this model globally, with a focus on Asian markets through Global Generosity Foundation. Recently, he launched a platform in Hong Kong to serve greater China. Having served on several nonprofit boards, including The Gathering, Seed Company and currently as Chairman of the Board of Axis, Jeff brings a depth of corporate governance experience.

Life:

He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. He and his wife Jacqlyn are raising their three lively children in Albuquerque.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO FAITH DRIVEN INVESTOR

 Links:

• LinkedIn

Co-Founder and CEO | CommonGood Capital

Bio:

Prior to co-founding CommonGood Capital, Jeff Shafer served as a Managing Partner and member of the Executive Team at TriLinc Global, a leading retail-focused impact investing fund sponsor.  At TriLinc, Jeff leveraged his relationships, experience and knowledge to help Broker Dealers, Registered Investment Advisors and family offices meet their clients’ financial goals while also connecting their investment capital with their values and passions through Impact Investing.

Before joining TriLinc, Jeff spent nearly 19 years at CNL,  a leading alternative investment asset manager that has formed or acquired companies with more than $34 billion in assets over its 44 year history.  At CNL, Jeff served in multiple senior leadership roles, and in the role of President, Jeff led the strategic direction for capital raising and product development within CNL’s growing multi-product platform for eight years.  During his time,  Jeff and his team raised nearly $9 billion in capital, including $1.5 billion in 2014 alone, which represented CNL’s highest single-year capital raise in the previous 10 years.

Jeff began his financial industry career at Van Kampen American Capital, a division of Morgan Stanley Group. 

Jeff graduated from Wheaton College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Biblical Studies. He also received a Master of Business Administration from the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College. In addition to his undergraduate and graduate degrees, Jeff holds the Certified Financial Planner and Chartered Financial Consultant designations, as well as FINRA Series 7, 24, 63 and 79 licenses.

Jeff serves on the board of overseers at the Crummer Graduate School of Business, the board of directors of The Geneva School and the advisory board of National Christian Foundation Orlando. He previously served on the board of directors for the Heart of Florida United Way.

Life:

Jeff and his wife of 20 years, Shelly, settled in Winter Park, Florida, where they love doing life together, whether around the dinner table, at the beach or traveling. When not with his wife and two teenage kids, Jeff enjoys reading non-fiction books, cycling, cheering on his beloved Oregon Ducks, and working on house projects.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO FAITH DRIVEN INVESTOR

 Links:

• LinkedIn

Attorney | Robinson + Cole’s Real Estate and Development Group

Bio:

Jerome Garciano is an attorney in Robinson + Cole’s Real Estate and Development Group whose practice focuses on community development financing incentives affecting the built environment. Mr. Garciano provides support for developers, syndicators, investors, nonprofit sponsors, and government agencies in renewable energy and real estate developments using the Historic, New Markets, Renewable Energy, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.

Mr. Garciano has assisted several nonprofit-sponsored real estate transactions financed with New Markets Tax Credit financing, including education, health, and community services facilities. He is a LEED accredited professional and has advised clients on utilizing energy efficiency and renewable energy tax incentives. He also works on tax policy initiatives promoting community development, green energy and real estate finance.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO FAITH DRIVEN INVESTOR