CIBC congratulates Ivan Cicla for being awarded Volunteer of the Year; recognizes graduates of its partner Entrepreneur Training Programs

CHICAGO, JANUARY 31, 2022 — CIBC today announced that Ivan Cicla, CIBC US Community Development Specialist, was named Volunteer of the Year by the Latino Entrepreneurial Network (LEN), one of the bank’s partner organizations focused on giving entrepreneurs of small business start-ups the skills and training they need to become successful.

CIBC is also recognizing several small businesses that have completed the Entrepreneur Training Programs (ETPs) through various organizations like LEN. Qualified ETP graduates are eligible for the CIBC Entrepreneur Loan Program, which provides affordable financing to startup and early-stage small businesses in Chicago, St. Louis, Milwaukee and Detroit. CIBC works with a variety of organizations to offer entrepreneur training programs.

“We are pleased to congratulate Ivan for being awarded Volunteer of the Year,” said Beth Witczak, head of CIBC US Community Development. “Ivan is passionate about helping members of the Latino Entrepreneurial Network with any questions regarding credit, finance or access to capital, as well as our clients, on a daily basis.”

“Additionally, we recognize our newest group of Entrepreneur Training Program graduates,” Witczak continued. “These small businesses aid in the betterment of our communities and the people they serve and we are honored to help them realize their ambitions.”

Last month, over 300 graduates began the process of establishing new businesses, and several community partners hosted ETP graduation ceremonies, including:

• Joseph Business School (Chicago)
• Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business (Chicago)
• WBDC Plan for Profit Chicago (Chicago)
• Mujeres Latinas En Accion (Chicago)
• Latino Entrepreneurial Network (Milwaukee)
• Family Workforce Centers of America (St. Louis)

CIBC’s Entrepreneur Loan Program started in 2013, and has since provided nearly $3.5 million in financing to more than 380 small businesses.