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 working behind the scenes in lending and finance, I saw firsthand how many commercial borrowers felt overwhelmed, under-informed, and underserved. I’ve spent my career helping lenders structure deals, underwrite complex loans, and guide entrepreneurs through the SBA lending maze. But I knew I could do more.
I started this company to bring that same insider expertise directly to business owners—especially those navigating capital access for the first time. I believe that securing funding shouldn’t be intimidating or exclusive. It should be transparent, empowering, and accessible.
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.
This is where my experience meets my purpose. And I’m here to help you move forward—with clarity, confidence, and the capital you need to grow.
Meet Dawn Lopez
Financial Strategist | SBA Lending Specialist | Small Business Advocate
Dawn Lopez was a highly respected Senior Financial Analyst with over 20 years of experience in finance, lending, and government contracting. Her career was rooted in service—most recently at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), where she conducted lender oversight and risk analysis for the 7(a) loan program. During her tenure, she advised lenders, interpreted compliance policies, and helped protect the integrity of billions in small business lending.
Before stepping into federal service, Dawn held leadership roles in both private and public sectors, managing complex real estate portfolios and supporting financial strategy for agencies including HUD, the VA, and GSA. She also spent a decade in mortgage lending, where she built long-term client relationships and structured loans for residential and commercial borrowers.
Known for her ability to distill complex financial data into practical solutions, Dawn trained federal analysts, designed operational processes, and ensured quality control across teams. Her work consistently bridged technical finance and human impact—a skill that shaped her transition from behind-the-scenes expert to independent advisor.
Today, Dawn brings her deep knowledge of SBA lending and small business finance directly to entrepreneurs through her own firm. A small business owner herself, she is passionate about helping others navigate capital access with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
She holds a B.S. in Organizational Leadership, a Public Trust Clearance (active), and credentials as a licensed real estate agent and Virginia Notary Public. Dawn is also a recipient of the Ethos Award for excellence in leadership and service.
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