Oportun CEO Raul Vazquez recognized for his business achievement, leadership, and commitment to providing access to affordable financial services for LMI communities
SAN CARLOS, Calif., Nov. 15, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EY announced that Oportun CEO Raul Vazquez was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2018 National Award winner in the Financial Services category. This prestigious award recognizes dynamic entrepreneurs who are forging a better future through products, services and jobs that keep our worldwide economy and communities moving forward. Raul Vazquez was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at EY’s Strategic Growth Forum in Palm Springs on November 11.
“I am grateful for this honor and humbly accept it on behalf of all the team members at Oportun that have helped advance our mission to serve those that need access to affordable financial services,” said Oportun CEO Raul Vazquez. “Together, we are committed to providing affordable loans and products that help people with little or no credit history establish credit and build a better future.”
Since 1986, the program has celebrated entrepreneurial excellence from high-caliber business leaders such as Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn Corporation, Howard Schultz of Starbucks Coffee Company, Robert Unanue of Goya Foods, and Jayshree Ullal and Andy Bechtolsheim of Arista Networks.
The Entrepreneur Of The Year Award program has proven its ability to pick out particular traits within a company that will then catapult it to join the ranks of some of the world’s most successful and thriving businesses. These winners have shown what it takes to build and, more importantly, sustain a thriving enterprise.
Raul Vazquez was originally selected as a regional Entrepreneur Of The Year winner in the Category Disruptors category from the Northern California region. He was selected for this national award from over 1,300 applicants nationwide.
Sponsors
Founded and produced by EY, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards are sponsored nationally by SAP America, Merrill Corporation, and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
In Northern California, sponsors also include SolomonEdwards and Woodruff Sawyer & Co.
About Oportun
Oportun is a mission-driven, technology-powered provider of inclusive, affordable financial services and a certified Community Development Financial Institution. By lending money to hardworking, low-to-moderate income individuals, Oportun helps them move forward in their lives, demonstrate their creditworthiness, and establish the credit history they need to access new opportunities. Oportun operates more than 300 retail locations and delivers bilingual (English/Spanish) customer service through retail locations, contact centers, and mobile to customers in twelve states: Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin.
For more information on Oportun please visit http://www.oportun.com.
About Entrepreneur Of The Year®
Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries.
About EY’s Growth Markets practice
EY’s Growth Markets (GM) practice guides leading high-growth companies. Our multidisciplinary teams of elite professionals provide perspective and advice to help our clients accelerate market leadership. GM delivers assurance, tax, transactions and advisory services to thousands of companies spanning all industries. EY is the undisputed leader in taking companies public, advising key government agencies on the issues impacting high-growth companies and convening the experts who shape the business climate. For more information, please visit us at ey.com/us/strategicgrowthmarkets, or follow news on Twitter @EY_Growth.
About EY
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Media Contacts:
Michael Azzano
Cosmo PR for Oportun
(415) 596-1978
michael@cosmo-pr.com