Meet the
SBA Lending Team

Dawn Gillette is the Head of Digital Lending at Grasshopper Bank, where she leads the bank’s digital lending businesses, including small business, SBA, and consumer lending. A seasoned financial executive, Dawn brings extensive experience across banking, fintech, and specialty finance. She has successfully built profitable lending businesses from the ground up. Known for her innovative approach, Dawn is passionate about leveraging technology to enhance financial products and services. At NBT Bank, she launched a national residential solar lending program and drove the digitization of processes across the organization. As CFO of Direct Capital, a leading small business lender, she built financing structures, drove significant growth, and developed the first fully digital secured financing process. She began her career at Bank of America. Dawn has served on several boards, including Stratyfy, Mendon Venture Partners, and Sungage Financial. She holds a BA from Boston College and is a CFA charterholder.

Brennan Quenneville arrives at Grasshopper Bank with more than a dozen years of commercial finance experience, most recently with Pathward, National Association, where he oversaw underwriting teams specializing in SBA lending, USDA lending, and renewable energy project finance. At other points in his career, Brennan has led or contributed to teams in equipment finance, investment real estate, and managed assets. In his free time, Brennan enjoys reading, listening to music, and watching sports. Brennan is excited to match his enthusiasm for team-building and development with Grasshopper's entrepreneurial culture and best-in-class technology and products. Brennan graduated from the University of Michigan with an anthropology degree, having focused on archaeology during his studies.

David Menoian comes to Grasshopper Bank after more than a decade with Pathward, National Association where he led teams that specialized in SBA lending, USDA lending, and renewable energy project finance. David's most recent role was as National Sales Manager, but he also spent time in audit, credit, business development, and group leadership roles. When he's not finding deals, David is an avid golfer and reader and is a Detroit Lions season ticket holder. David is excited to join Grasshopper for many reasons, including its forward-thinking approach, entrepreneurial spirit, and drive to have great technology. David graduated from Kalamazoo College with degrees in both business and philosophy.

Cassie Kindle is a seasoned banking professional with over two decades of experience specializing in SBA and commercial loan operations. She currently serves as an SBA Operations Officer at Grasshopper, leveraging her expertise to drive efficiency and operational excellence in the bank's SBA lending program. Her comprehensive understanding of the lending landscape was cultivated through key leadership roles, including SVP & SBA Lending Operations Manager at HomeTrust Bank and VP of Retail Credit Loan Fulfillment & Commercial Operations Manager at United Community Bank. This experience has given her a proven ability to manage complex workflows, ensure regulatory compliance, and lead high-performing teams. Her strategic approach makes her a significant asset to Grasshopper Bank and the small business clients it serves.

Justin Whitson joins Grasshopper Bank with over a decade of commercial finance experience with Pathward, National Association, including the last five years in a business development role. In prior positions, Justin was an operations contributor and led teams in both underwriting and loan closing. Outside of work, Justin is actively involved in his community and regularly participates in a variety of sports leagues. In joining the Grasshopper team, Justin is excited to combine his SBA lending expertise with Grasshopper's technology and services, providing top-tier service and products to our clients. Justin graduated with a BA in finance from Oakland University.

Zach brings 15 years of deep financial expertise to Grasshopper, with a specialized focus on empowering small businesses. A proud graduate of the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Economics, Zach has dedicated 11 of those years to guiding entrepreneurs through the intricacies of SBA financing. Living in Michigan with a lively household of a wife, dogs, cats, and chickens, Zach balances a commitment to professional excellence with a passion for traveling and hitting the golf course.

Marcelo Esperon comes to Grasshopper Bank after working at Radius Bank in numerous roles during the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), helping small businesses secure critical funding. He worked with a partner at IBM on Robotic Process Automation (RPA) sales and integration, assisting the Uruguay-based company in expanding into the U.S. market. With a Computer Science degree from ORT University in Uruguay, Marcelo is excited to bring his tech expertise to a forward-thinking digital bank. Outside of work, he enjoys building custom PCs, attending soccer matches, and hosting family barbecues.

Andrew Brunette brings more than a decade of commercial finance experience to his role as SBA Enterprise Sales Officer at Grasshopper Bank. He previously spent six years as an SBA underwriter, building a strong foundation in credit analysis and loan structuring, and prior to that managed high-volume equipment finance programs. His background provides a comprehensive perspective on both underwriting and client relationship management within the SBA lending space. Outside of work, Andrew enjoys spending time with his wife and children, playing guitar, and exploring the outdoors. He holds a degree in Professional Writing from Michigan State University.

Scott Carlson has held various roles within the SBA Lending industry including closing, servicing, and credit analyst over the past 10 years. Recently, Scott joined Grasshopper Bank’s SBA origination team. His knowledge from these previous roles alongside his passion for assisting small business clients creates a competitive edge by having a broader understanding of the full picture in getting a deal across the finish line. This has enabled him to anticipate deal hurdles and timeline obstacles to create a better overall experience for not only the client, but also external partners and internal co-workers. Scott enjoys the technology side of Grasshopper Bank and being a part of a fintech organization that looks to constantly innovate and create real market impact as SBA lending continues to shift in this direction. "Only-forward thinking." He attended Grand Valley State University where he studied Business Administration.

As a Digital Lending Associate at Grasshopper Bank, Lily Hendrikson leverages her experience in the banking and mortgage sectors to help drive the Bank’s digital lending strategy. She began her career at Grasshopper as a Digital Banking Intern, where she gained hands-on exposure to digital-first banking solutions and client support. Lily graduated from Providence College in 2025 with a degree in Finance and has also worked with privately held community banks and independent mortgage lenders, giving her a comprehensive perspective on the financial services industry. Her background equips her to deliver efficient, client-focused solutions in an evolving digital landscape.

Steve brings to Grasshopper 25 years of experience as a senior credit risk leader. Prior to joining Grasshopper, he was a Regional CCO at Leumi/Valley National Bank where he led general C&I, Commodity Finance and Lender Finance risk management. Prior to Valley, Steve was Head of US Credit Risk Management & Restructuring at Scotiabank where he was responsible for providing credit risk across all industries. Steve graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a BA in Political Science and Theater and from Boston College with a MS in Finance. He also holds both a CFA and FRM designations.

J has over 15 years of experience in commercial lending. Prior to joining Grasshopper, J worked at Pathward, National Association. His most recent role was Underwriting Manager for the renewable energy project finance team, where he led the diligence and approval of over $1B in renewable energy project finance. Additionally, the team was named Lender of the Year by USDA Rural Development in 2021. His career began as a field examiner, performing collateral audits of asset based lending clients across the country. After 4 years in field exam, J.Wesley had a brief stint in asset based lending portfolio management before transitioning to government guaranteed lending. J has spent the last 10 years of his career in government guaranteed lending between USDA rural development and SBA 7(a) programs. J earned his BA in Finance from Michigan State University.

Nicole Mirsky is a finance professional with expertise in both commercial lending and public policy, and a background in financial services and legislative affairs. Nicole comes to Grasshopper bank with experience in Government Guaranteed Lending working at Pathward, National Association, where she underwrote hundreds of SBA, USDA, and renewable energy project finance. Prior to her role as an underwriter, Nicole worked on the Public Policy team at Pathward. She also draws her experience from time working for the Financial Services Committee at the US House of Representatives and The White House. Her background spanning the legislative, regulatory, and credit side of the industry provides her with a holistic and nuanced perspective on the entire lending lifecycle.

Azra Thomas is an experienced finance professional specializing in SBA lending, with a strong background in both underwriting and banking operations. She currently serves as an SBA Senior Underwriter at Grasshopper Bank. Prior to this role, she developed extensive knowledge as an SBA Loan Underwriter at First Internet Bank and Live Oak Bank, where she received her initial training in SBA loan programs. Before focusing on SBA lending, Azra developed comprehensive underwriting skills over several years in the mortgage industry. This included a position as a Senior Mortgage Underwriter at JP Morgan Chase and nearly six years at Bank of America, where she held various roles, including High Net Worth Home Equity Underwriter. Her career path reflects a continuous growth in responsibility and complexity, culminating in her current dedication to supporting small business growth through targeted SBA financing.

Marie Lee-Utash is a dynamic professional in Government Guaranteed Lending, currently serving as Senior SBA Underwriter. Marie's foundational expertise stems from her 8 years as an Underwriter, where she specialized in complex commercial products, including SBA loans. She holds a Master of Accountancy with a Taxation Specialization and a Bachelor of Accountancy, both from Walsh College. Outside the office, she enjoys spending time ballroom dancing, gardening, and navigating outdoors while hiking with her dogs.

Based in Southern California, Mercede Upreti serves as an SBA Portfolio Manager at Grasshopper Bank, bringing over six years of dedicated experience to the role. Recognized as a subject matter expert in portfolio management, she focuses on strategic oversight, risk mitigation, and maximizing client outcomes. Since joining the team over two years ago, Mercede has committed to a client-first, client-driven philosophy, aiming to be a true partner in success for every individual and business. Prior to her career in portfolio management, she built a strong analytical foundation as a credit analyst.

Lisa Cheney is a results-driven leader with expertise in product management, digital optimization, and financial accuracy. In her role as SBA Support Administrator at Grasshopper, she ensures lending operations run smoothly by streamlining workflows, managing vendor relationships, and implementing operational improvements. Lisa’s expertise in conflict resolution and her ability to harness technology to drive efficiency make her an essential part of the team, helping borrowers and colleagues navigate processes with ease. Prior to Grasshopper, Lisa worked as an SBA Closing Coordinator at IncredibleBank, where she refined her skills in documentation, compliance, and client support.

Nikki Jones is a highly accomplished Banking professional with 25 years of extensive experience in Financial Services, specializing in loan operations and SBA Closing. In her current role as Team Lead, SBA Closing at Grasshopper Bank, Nikki leads a team of closers, managing a pipeline of 50+ loans. She is responsible for coaching and developing her team, assigning loans, process improvement, and serving as the primary contact for all closing inquiries. Nikki meticulously reviews each loan file to ensure all closing requirements are met, working closely with underwriting, BDOs, referral partners, and attorneys to address any concerns. She also plays a key role in packaging and closing all 7a and 504 SBA loans. Prior to Grasshopper Bank, Nikki held significant positions as Vice President, GGL Loan Closer, SBA Loan Closer, and SBA Loan Closing Specialist. Her experience also includes managing construction loan disbursements, improving processes, and training junior closers. Nikki holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management, further solidifying her strong educational background in finance.

Guadalupe Alvarez brings more than a decade of experience to her role as a Senior SBA Closer, where she navigates the complexities of commercial lending, loan closing, and documentation. She is an expert in managing diverse loan pipelines and ensuring a seamless, compliant process for every client. With a deep understanding of legal and real estate documents, Guadalupe excels at perfecting collateral and maintaining strict adherence to SBA policies. Her strong expertise in customer relations, process improvement, and team training is enhanced by her bilingual fluency in English and Spanish, allowing her to deliver precise and client-focused solutions.

As a SBA Senior Closer, Janeli Garcia brings seven years of dedicated experience in SBA lending to the team. She specializes in navigating the complexities of SBA programs and ensures borrowers receive the most efficient and up-to-date information throughout the loan process. With a focus on accuracy, responsiveness, and client care, Janeli is committed to delivering a smooth and streamlined loan closing experience for every small business client.

As a Senior SBA Closer, Jaris Rios Mendez is dedicated to helping business owners secure the financing they need to thrive and grow. She brings a wealth of commercial banking experience to this role, having worked in the industry since 2010. She efficiently manages the full spectrum of SBA government-guaranteed loans, including SBA 7(a), Express, and 504. Her comprehensive background in relationship management and financial services, combined with a passion for collaboration and problem-solving, ensures a seamless and successful loan process for every client. She is thrilled to be part of Grasshopper Bank's entrepreneurial culture, leveraging its best-in-class technology and products to better serve clients. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and listening to music.

Rachel Estis is a highly organized and detail oriented Loan Closer with four years of experience managing a variety of complex SBA 7(a) transactions. She is dedicated to helping small business owners navigate the final, critical steps of securing financing through the Small Business Administration. Her experience spans due diligence review, lien perfection, documentation management, and cross-functional collaboration with legal, underwriting, and operations teams. With a reputation for reliability, accuracy, and strong relationship management, she is dedicated to delivering exceptional service throughout every stage of the lending process.

Antonia is an experienced SBA loan servicing professional with a strong background in commercial lending and customer support. Currently serving as an SBA Loan Servicing Specialist at Grasshopper, she brings over 8 years of experience across SBA lending, commercial loan servicing, and relationship management. Prior to this role, Antonia spent over four years at Gulf Coast Small Business Lending, progressing from SBA Assistant to Loan Servicing Specialist, and also held roles at Bank OZK and Educators Credit Union. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from The University of Texas at Arlington, combining analytical skills with a client-focused approach to banking.

Heather is a dedicated and experienced loan professional with over two decades of experience in the financial services sector. Beginning her career in customer service, she demonstrated a strong aptitude for client relations and process management, which led to a progression of increasingly specialized roles. Heather spent over 15 years, advancing from a Customer Service Representative to a Small Business Loan Support Specialist and ultimately to a Retail Credit Loan Documentation Manager. In these roles, she developed a comprehensive understanding of loan processes from client support to meticulous documentation. For the past several years, Heather's focus has been on Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. As an SBA Loan Specialist at Grasshopper Bank, she leverages her extensive background to ensure efficient loan servicing and support. Her unique blend of hands-on experience in customer-facing roles and expertise in loan documentation and servicing makes her a versatile and valuable asset in the loan industry.