Mass Growth Capital Corporation hires Community Programs Manager

Press Release:

BOSTON - Mass Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) today announced the hiring of Ari Velóz as Community Programs Manager.  Ms. Velóz brings over 13 years of experience in the field of community economic development, managing a range of asset building programming aimed at facilitating economic upper mobility. 

In 2019, MGCC presented her with the Business Community Builder Award for her exemplary efforts in assisting small businesses affected by the gas incidents in Lawrence, Andover, and North Andover, and for her leadership in building strong business communities. 

“After the Merrimack Valley gas incidents, Ari was an essential part of the recovery for small businesses in the area.  We are excited that she is bringing her leadership and skills to MGCC,” said Larry Andrews, President of MGCC.  

Prior to joining MGCC, Ms. Velóz was Chief Operating Officer of Mill Cities Community Investments, a regional Community Development Financial Institution focused on mission-based small business loans & technical assistance, and home improvement loans.  She was a Loan Consultant for ACCION New York and interned for ACCION International.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from UMass Amherst and a master's degree in Intercultural Relations from Lesley University.

Ms. Velóz is a graduate of Lawrence Leads, an Executive Leadership Development Program for Leaders of the City of Lawrence hosted by the Harvard Business School in Collaboration with The Alliance for Business Leadership and The Lawrence Partnership. The themes of this program are centered around economic opportunity and civic engagement & responsibility.  

Ari has backpacked through Southeast Asia and South America, volunteering along the way in micro-credit programs. She attributes these experiences to providing a lot of insights to her work in Gateways Cities.