After serving the community as RVCDF’s Executive Director since 2012, Wayne Lau has retired.

A Seattle resident since 1956, Wayne is a Rainier Beach High School graduate with more than 35 years’ experience in commercial real estate lending and small business lending, which he used to help assist Rainier Valley residents, businesses, and institutions during his eight-year tenure at RVCDF.

Wayne’s accomplishments include growing the RVCDF loan portfolio by $15 million since 2012, helping RVCDF achieve Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certification and attain additional funding to increase its southeast Seattle lending capacity beyond the Rainier Valley, including $2 million in grants and low-interest-rate loans from the CDFI Fund and Wells Fargo.

During this time, Wayne also served as treasurer and board member of the Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority, and on the Board of Directors for Seattle Goodwill in addition to supporting various southeast Seattle and immigrant community organizations to promote small business owners.

About 70 people attended Wayne’s retirement party at Joyale Seafood Restaurant. Many of them were RVCDF clients and community leaders who spoke of Wayne’s service and how he impacted businesses to grow and prosper in the face of increasing challenges.

Wayne’s last day was January 23, 2020.