FHLBank Chicago Welcomes Fern Orie to Community Investment Advisory Council, Strengthening Support for Native Communities

Three Additional Leaders Reappointed for Housing and Economic Development Guidance

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago (FHLBank Chicago) is pleased to announce the appointment of Fern Orie, CEO of the Wisconsin Indigenous Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WIHEDC), to its Community Investment Advisory Council (Advisory Council) for a three-year term. Orie brings decades of experience in housing and community development, focusing on advancing homeownership and economic opportunities for Native communities. A member of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, Orie served as Executive Director of the Oneida Housing Authority and later founded and led the Wisconsin Native Loan Fund (WINLF), a statewide Native Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) and FHLBank Chicago member. She is now the CEO of WIHEDC, supporting Native CDFIs across Wisconsin and co-leading the Wisconsin Native Homeownership Coalition, a statewide effort to advance Native homeownership. Orie also serves on the Board of Directors of Bay Bank, a Native-owned financial institution and FHLBank Chicago member, established by the Oneida Nation.

"Expanding homeownership and economic opportunities for underserved communities has been at the core of my career," said Orie. "I’m honored to bring my experience with Native communities to the Advisory Council and support FHLBank Chicago’s impactful work across Illinois and Wisconsin."

The Advisory Council is composed of leaders from community and nonprofit organizations in Illinois and Wisconsin who are actively involved in promoting affordable housing and community lending. The group works closely with FHLBank Chicago’s Board of Directors to provide insights and guidance that shape the Bank’s programs and initiatives addressing housing and economic challenges across the region.

FHLBank Chicago has also reappointed three members – Allison Clements, Sharon Legenza, and David Porterfield – to three-year terms to continue their service on the Advisory Council.

Allison Clements is the Executive Director of the Illinois Housing Council (IHC), a nonprofit representing organizations involved in affordable housing development across Illinois. In her role, Clements advocates for legislation, policies, and best practices to advance affordable housing across the state. Under her leadership, IHC has grown significantly in both membership and programs, strengthening its advocacy efforts to address housing challenges statewide.

Sharon Legenza is the Executive Director of Housing Action Illinois, a coalition dedicated to protecting and expanding access to quality, affordable housing throughout the state. Legenza spearheads strategy development and oversees policy advocacy, public education, and capacity-building initiatives to address housing challenges and preserve affordable housing for communities across Illinois. She also serves on the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund Advisory Commission and the Cook County Economic Development Advisory Council and is a past Chair of the Board of Directors for the Community Opportunity Alliance.

David Porterfield, Chair of the Advisory Council, is a Community Development Consultant with Hope Community Capital, a national consulting firm based in Madison, Wisc. that supports community development financial institutions, nonprofit developers, and others in the planning and financing of community facilities and affordable housing projects. With over 30 years of experience, Porterfield has played a key role in the development of more than 3,000 affordable housing units. His expertise extends to designing innovative financing programs that address the unique needs of underserved populations, creating lasting impact in communities across Wisconsin and beyond.

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago

FHLBank Chicago is a regional bank in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. FHLBanks are government-sponsored enterprises created by Congress to ensure access to low-cost funding for their member financial institutions, with a focus on providing solutions that support the housing and community development needs of members’ customers. FHLBank Chicago is a self-capitalizing cooperative, owned by its Illinois and Wisconsin members, including commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, savings institutions and community development financial institutions. To learn more about FHLBank Chicago, please visit fhlbc.com.