The Crowdfunding Professional Association (CfPA), the leading trade organization for the regulated investment crowdfunding industry, has appointed six new professionals to its Board of Directors. The appointments bring specialized expertise across academic research, securities law, film finance, startup accounting, platform technology, and regulatory compliance to the organization.
Brian Belley, President of the CfPA Board of Directors, stated that the new directors bring real-world, diverse experience spanning securities law, platform operations, issuer support, and academic research. He emphasized that as regulated investment crowdfunding enters a pivotal period for policy, compliance, and market maturity, this expanded board is better equipped to represent stakeholders and drive responsible growth across the ecosystem.
The new board members represent various facets of the crowdfunding industry. Dr. Greg Burke is an assistant professor of accounting at Loyola University Chicago's Quinlan School of Business whose research examines the economics of investment crowdfunding with focus on securities regulation and financial reporting. Elizabeth Eichorn is a fundraising and crowdfunding specialist who has coached over 1,000 business owners on strategy and innovative financing approaches.
Julian A. Haffner serves as Chief Legal Officer of CineBlock, a film finance and Regulation Crowdfunding platform, and brings more than 20 years of experience advising entrepreneurs across media, technology, and financial services. Danielle Godfrey founded SetApart Accountancy Corp., a CPA firm that has performed over 1,000 reviews and audits for crowdfunding issuers in the past seven years.
Levi Brackman is Founder and CEO of Invown, a registered investment crowdfunding platform helping real estate sponsors and early-stage companies raise capital under Regulation Crowdfunding. Meighan Leon serves as Chief Legal Officer of DealMaker, where she guides the platform through complex regulatory frameworks with a practical, business-focused approach.
As the regulated investment crowdfunding industry continues to grow and evolve, CfPA remains committed to education, advocacy, and establishing best practices for all participants. The organization's initiatives can be explored at https://CfPA.org. The addition of these board members enhances CfPA's ability to deliver on its commitments and share successes with policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs during a critical period of industry development.
For Texas businesses seeking alternative financing, this board expansion signals a maturing industry with stronger representation across key areas. The inclusion of experts in real estate crowdfunding through Invown and specialized accounting through SetApart Accountancy Corp. directly addresses needs of Texas entrepreneurs in sectors like real estate development and technology startups. The practical regulatory experience of leaders from DealMaker and CineBlock provides valuable insight for Texas companies navigating complex compliance requirements.
The academic research perspective from Dr. Burke offers data-driven approaches that could benefit Texas educational institutions and research centers studying economic development. With over 1,000 businesses coached by Elizabeth Eichorn, Texas entrepreneurs gain access to proven strategies for successful crowdfunding campaigns. This strengthened leadership comes at a time when Texas businesses increasingly turn to regulated investment crowdfunding as a viable capital source, particularly for early-stage companies and real estate projects that traditional financing might overlook.
The board's enhanced composition positions CfPA to better advocate for policies that support Texas economic growth while maintaining investor protections. As the industry faces increased regulatory scrutiny and market expansion, this diverse expertise helps ensure Texas businesses have representation in national conversations about crowdfunding standards and practices. The timing coincides with growing adoption of investment crowdfunding across Texas, making this organizational development particularly relevant for the state's entrepreneurial ecosystem seeking responsible, regulated access to capital.
