Hannah Vargason

Hannah Vargason is program director at the Center for Impact Finance, where she has researched and developed tools and training in CDFI business models, clean energy and resilience, local food systems, real estate development, and community banks.

Before joining the center, Hannah spent nearly 10 years with Partner Community Capital, Inc. (PCAP), formerly known as Natural Capital Investment Fund, a CDFI promoting socially and environmentally responsible business development in Central Appalachia and the Southeast. There she held various roles before serving as vice president and director of impact strategy, where she oversaw PCAP’s Development Services. In that role, she managed programming and sourced loans related to clean energy, local food systems, tourism- and recreation-based economies, and real estate redevelopment and downtown revitalization; she also worked extensively with a regional network of service providers and funding sources and launched and oversaw an SBA Women’s Business Center, hosted by PCAP, to support women-owned businesses and other traditionally marginalized entrepreneurial endeavors.

Earlier in her career, Hannah led implementation of a green infrastructure plan for the Central Indiana Land Trust, developed a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program for Hampton Roads, VA, and consulted for the US Air Combat Command on renewable energy infrastructure development. She holds a master’s in public policy from the College of William & Mary and a BA in economics and anthropology from Mary Baldwin College (now Mary Baldwin University). Hannah also helps lead the CDFI Women’s Network as a founding steering committee member.