Karlene Sinclair-Robinson

Karlene Sinclair-Robinson had been a long time CBP client and volunteer herself from as early as 2005 before joining CBP’s Business Finance Center in April 2012 when the organization decided to pursue its’ CDFI certified designation.  She is a business and financing strategist, entrepreneurial coach and instructor with over 18 years’ experience in the areas of business development, planning, strategic solutions, human resources, customer relations, financial management, loan underwriting, credit analysis, access to capital strategies, and small business financing.

In May 2023, Karlene was named Director of the Business Finance Center here at Community Business Partnership. Her new and expanded management role includes overall organizational and lending operations, loan portfolio and credit risk management, CDFI, SBA, and other  compliance requirements, client engagement, staff support, community and stakeholder engagements.  She also oversees all aspects of the BFC’s and now CBP’s technical assistance with a financially-focused program in support of the underserved and underbanked micro-entreprises needing support.  She also instructs workshops including ‘Options for Funding Your Business’ and ‘Preparing for Funding’ designed to help clients understand the financing landscape, process and applicable solutions available today.

Prior to her work at CBP, she owned a medical billing and transcription company, a staffing firm, and janitorial partnership along with a financing consulting firm. In her extra time as a consultant, Karlene supports clients coaching and other strategic solutions including teaching online ecourses for 13,000 enrolled students in over 100 countries. She has been an Adjunct Professor for Prince George’s Community College Workforce Development program for 11+ years and had been a Fairfax County Public School’s Adult Continuing Education instructor between 2011 and 2021.

Karlene is also a bestselling author, speaker, and is considered a foremost expert on Alternative Business Financing. Karlene currently resides in Alexandria, Virginia, with her family, She is passionate about special needs families and mental health awareness. She loves music, especially reggae, R&B, and gospel. Karlene also enjoys reading various genres  of books, writing, crocheting, gardening and cooking. She is originally from sunny Montego Bay, Jamaica.

(703) 768-1440 x 104  |  karlene@cbponline.org