NALCAB is a one-of-a-kind CDFI intermediary and network of 200+ organizations, representing 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico. As our network has experienced growth, our in-house team has also grown, having an increasing need to grow our space to accommodate. This coupled with our strong desire to be located closer to our members and be a true community hub for them led to us launching this capital campaign. As we prepared to launch our Roots of Resilience Capital Campaign, we knew that national leadership alone would not be enough. To truly honor our mission and our history, we needed the support of our extended familia here at home—friends, partners, and champions who understand the local heartbeat of our work. 

That vision led to the formation of the Roots of Resilience NALCAB Capital Campaign Steering Committee, a group of dedicated leaders who meet with us monthly and lend their voices, insight, and commitment to strengthening our comunidad. Through this blog series, we invite you to get to know these leaders, learn how they view NALCAB’s work, and explore why investing in community asset-building matters now more than ever. 

Meet Juan Solis III 

We kick off the series with Juan Solis III, Senior Vice President at Truist and Chair of the NALCAB Capital Campaign Steering Committee. Juan brings not only professional expertise, but also deep personal connection to this work. Raised on the west side of San Antonio—just blocks from where NALCAB’s future home will be—Juan understands the city’s unique dynamics as both a community member and a leader. 

His longstanding rapport with the NALCAB team, combined with his commitment to equitable community development, makes him a natural leader for this campaign. 

Why NALCAB’s Presence in Downtown San Antonio Matters 

San Antonio is undergoing significant transformation, particularly in and around downtown. For Juan, NALCAB’s proximity to the heart of the city is both strategic and symbolic. 

He views NALCAB’s move as part of the broader restoration of the west side—an area that has historically seen both the rise and fall of small businesses. The pandemic, he noted, was a wake-up call that underscored the need for organizations providing technical assistance, guidance, and capital. 

Juan pointed to the Mercado and long-standing small businesses like the Cortez family restaurants as examples of what is possible when entrepreneurs receive the right support at the right time. At one point, each of those businesses needed guidance and resources to grow, and that is precisely where NALCAB’s mission comes in. 

As a national CDFI, NALCAB brings something uniquely powerful to San Antonio: the ability to translate lessons and ideas from communities across the country into locally relevant solutions. 

“NALCAB can bring ideas from Seattle or other cities to San Antonio—concepts that can work for people who may have never left their zip code,” Juan shared. 

A Career Shaped by Listening 

Reflecting on his 12 years of community-focused work at Truist, Juan shared the mantra that guides his approach: “We listen, we learn, and we love.” 

For too long, he noted; communities were told what they needed instead of being asked. Today, effective community development starts with listening—accepting where communities want to go while offering thoughtful ideas and support along the way. 

Some impacts are visible, others are not—but all matter.  

“We may never see the impact, and that’s okay,” Juan said. “There may be a family in North Carolina or Florida who will flourish because of NALCAB’s work, even if they never walk through these doors.”  

Why He Said Yes to the Committee 

For Juan, joining the steering committee was deeply personal. 

“I believe in the mission, and I believe in empowering people,” he explained. “It’s uniquely innate to our Latino heritage—to be entrepreneurs, innovators, and builders.” 

Serving as campaign chair, he says, creates a ripple effect in the community. Guided by faith and purpose, Juan sees this role as one way he can help make lasting change. 

Looking Ahead: San Antonio in 20 Years 

Juan envisions a future where small businesses have a stronger, more unified voice—one that is heard alongside major corporations. With small businesses creating a significant share of local jobs, their success is directly tied to economic mobility and reduced poverty. 

“Poverty in San Antonio is about 17%,” Juan noted. “NALCAB can make a difference by helping small businesses grow, pay livable wages, and attract a stable workforce.” 

At the same time, he acknowledges that progress often comes with challenges. New development can bring displacement and gentrification if communities are not protected. 

“NALCAB needs to be present—to reinforce small businesses and prepare them for growth,” Juan said. “We can be catalysts, but also guardians.” 

Rooted in Community, Built for the Future 

Through the Roots of Resilience Capital Campaign, NALCAB is anchoring itself alongside partners who are committed to equitable growth in downtown San Antonio and beyond. With leaders like Juan Solis III helping guide the way, this work is rooted in history, responsive to the present, and focused on a more resilient future for our communities. 

Stay tuned as we continue this series and introduce you to more members of our Roots of Resilience Steering Committee. 

Juan F. Solis III, Truist – https://www.linkedin.com/in/juan-f-solis-iii-truist-1b98553a/