About Runway…
Why I Started This Company
This business isn’t just a professional next step—it’s the fulfillment of a dream. After years inside the SBA lending system — structuring complex deals, reviewing loan portfolios, and guiding lenders through OCRM oversight — I realized something was missing. Too many lenders were navigating compliance blind spots that could jeopardize the SBA guaranty, and too many entrepreneurs felt lost in translation when it came to accessing capital.
I founded Runway Funding Group to bridge that gap — connecting lenders, borrowers, and best practices in one place.
This is where my experience meets my purpose. Here, regulatory expertise meets real-world strategy.
As a small business owner myself, I know what it feels like to take risks, to hustle hard, and to build with purpose. I created this company to be the kind of resource I wish I’d had: someone who understands the process, speaks the language, and genuinely wants you to succeed.
I’ve seen how the right guidance can change the entire outcome of a deal. That’s why Runway exists: to bring transparency, confidence, and clarity to SBA lending — one compliant, well-managed loan at a time.
Meet Dawn Lopez
Compliance and Risk Management Strategist | SBA Lending Specialist | Small Business Advocate
A former Senior Financial Analyst with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Credit Risk Management (OCRM), Dawn has spent 20+ years in finance, lending, and government contracting — advising SBA lenders, protecting SBA guaranties, and safeguarding billions in small business capital.
Before federal service, she led lending and financial strategy across both private and public sectors — including HUD, the VA, GSA, and more than a decade in mortgage lending. Her career has consistently bridged technical precision with human impact.
Today, Dawn serves SBA Lending Partners and serious small business owners through her firm — delivering clarity, compliance, and strategic confidence to every engagement.
She holds a B.S. in Organizational Leadership, is a credentialed real estate professional, an Electronic Virginia Notary Public (RON), and a recipient of the Ethos Award for Leadership and Service.