The Crowdfunding Professional Association (CfPA) has appointed six new professionals to its Board of Directors, strengthening its leadership as the regulated investment crowdfunding industry faces a pivotal period for policy, compliance, and market maturity. The new members—Dr. Greg Burke, Elizabeth Eichorn, Julian A. Haffner, Danielle Godfrey, Levi Brackman, and Meighan Leon—bring specialized expertise across academic research, securities law, film finance, startup accounting, platform technology, and regulatory compliance.
This expansion of the CfPA board is significant because it directly addresses the complex needs of a growing financial sector. Regulated investment crowdfunding enables startups and small businesses to raise capital from the public online, but it operates within a framework of securities regulations that require careful navigation. The diverse backgrounds of the new directors provide the CfPA with a more comprehensive ability to advocate for issuers, investors, and platforms. Brian Belley, President of the CfPA Board of Directors, stated that the new directors bring the real-world, diverse experience the industry needs as it evolves.
The appointments signal a focus on several critical industry areas. Dr. Greg Burke, an assistant professor at Loyola University Chicago, brings academic research on the economics of investment crowdfunding, which has informed regulatory discussions. Elizabeth Eichorn contributes practical capital-raising strategy experience, having coached over 1,000 business owners. Julian A. Haffner, a securities lawyer and Chief Legal Officer of film finance platform CineBlock, emphasizes helping underrepresented founders access capital.
On the operational side, Danielle Godfrey’s CPA firm has performed over 1,000 reviews for crowdfunding issuers, addressing a key need for financial accountability. Levi Brackman, founder of the real estate and startup platform Invown, combines technical platform expertise with capital markets knowledge. Meighan Leon, as Chief Legal Officer of platform DealMaker, focuses on navigating complex regulations to foster growth. Their collective experience equips the CfPA to better represent stakeholders and drive responsible growth across the ecosystem.
For the industry, this move enhances the CfPA’s capacity to influence policy and promote best practices during a time of maturation. As the industry grows, effective advocacy and education become increasingly important to ensure market integrity and protect participants. The board’s strengthened expertise in compliance, platform economics, and issuer support can help shape a more stable and accessible capital formation environment. The CfPA remains committed to its mission, and more information about its initiatives can be found at https://CfPA.org.
The broader context of advancing impact crowdfunding and empowering diverse founders is also highlighted by related initiatives, such as those by The Super Crowd, Inc., a public benefit corporation. Learn more about their work at https://TheSuperCrowd.com. The CfPA’s board expansion ultimately matters because it positions the leading trade organization to more effectively guide the regulated investment crowdfunding industry through its next phase of development, impacting entrepreneurs seeking capital, investors seeking opportunities, and the overall health of innovative capital markets.
