Rosy Aburto McDonough

Rosy Aburto McDonough is executive director of First Southwest Community Fund, where she leads operations, funding strategy and program expansion to improve access to capital for small, minority, women and underserved businesses across Colorado. She has built a career at the intersection of finance, public policy and economic development, combining actuarial science training and an MBA in finance and international business with mission- driven leadership.

At First Southwest Community Fund, McDonough has strengthened underwriting standards, improved financial oversight and implemented systems that enhance compliance, accountability and sustainable growth. Her leadership has elevated board engagement and reinforced operational discipline while supporting scalable lending practices that expand economic opportunity in rural and urban communities.

Over the past year, she advanced standardized technical assistance tools, improved financial projection models and strengthened partnerships between nonprofit lenders and banking institutions. Her efforts have positioned the organization for long-term growth while maintaining strong portfolio performance and disciplined risk management.

McDonough has also contributed to strategic planning focused on innovation, technology integration and enhanced reporting systems. Her work in governance and risk management has strengthened institutional resilience and improved long-term sustainability.

She is a bilingual and bicultural leader known for bridging public and private sector efforts to expand equitable access to capital. McDonough has served in roles with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade and the Small Business Development Center network, where she advanced inclusive economic development initiatives.

She mentors entrepreneurs and has supported hundreds of business owners with financial analysis, loan readiness and business planning. She has also taught at Regis University and developed bilingual business training programs, helping strengthen Colorado’s small business ecosystem and expand pathways to economic opportunity.