WESST BLOG
WESST Named 2025 SBA New Mexico Microlender of the Year
We are thrilled to announce that WESST was named the winner of the SBA New Mexico Microlender of the Year award for the second year in a row! Our Lending Team includes Sandro Tonini (VP of Lending), Melissa Williams (Loan Operations Officer), Teresa Rodriguez (Bilingual Loan Assistant), Humberto Hijar (Financial Capability Consultant), Angelica Ortiz (Loan Analyst), and Marcela Mendoza-Palacios (Program Coordinator). Their passion for service and tireless dedication to our clients is the reason we received this recognition. We are so proud of our amazing team and feel honored to receive this award!
Summer Enrichment Program at The Studio at WESST
One of the most rewarding experiences for me since I’ve been at WESST happened this last summer with the New Mexico Public Education Department’s Summer Enrichment Program. The New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) launched…
WESST Visionary Leads “Homeownership for Entrepreneurs” Training
At WESST, we champion New Mexico’s entrepreneurs with consulting, training, and lending to build thriving businesses. Yet, for many, the path to homeownership—a key to financial stability—can be complex, especially when transitioning from traditional W-2…
BMO Zero Barriers to Business Partnership
WESST is grateful to partner with BMO through their Zero Barriers to Business™ program. Through BMO Zero Barriers to Business™, BMO is committed to helping business owners gain better access to capital, educational resources, and partnerships….
Giving Back at WESST
During WESST’s annual December Statewide Staff Meeting, the WESST team split up to engage in volunteer activities to support two amazing local nonprofit organizations: Paws & Stripes and Free Flow New Mexico. Paws and Stripes’ mission…
The Four R’s of Entrepreneurship: An Inspiring Conversation with Debbie Johnson
One of the joys of my role at WESST is getting to know the amazing women in our community who have significantly impacted the entrepreneurial landscape. One of these women is Debbie Johnson! Debbie has…
Supporting the “Little Guys” – Thank You for 20 Years of Service, Kathy McCormick!
Kathy McCormick was born in a small Arizona cotton community. She was 6th grade valedictorian in her class of six, if that gives you an idea of how small it was! When Kathy’s dad got…
20 Years of Support and Service – Thank You Julie Brown!
Longtime WESST donor and volunteer Julienne “Julie” Brown calls herself a “Jersey Girl,” but she’s lived all over! Julie went to school in New York City where she met her husband, John, and they’ve lived…