Josiah Keilson

As managing director of capital programs, Josiah helps shape the strategic direction of the Rural Center’s growing capital programs portfolio, including the Rural Center’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) programs and CornerSquare Community Capital.

Before joining the Rural Center, Josiah served as an outreach manager and capital access strategist with the U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Capital Access advising senior economic development officials and their capital partners across 15+ states and territories on the strategic deployment of approximately $3 billion in SSBCI capital to small businesses. He also spearheaded strategy and impact management at the community development financial institution Capital Impact Partners during a phase of accelerated impact and capital deployment. He launched his career in Deloitte Consulting’s strategy practice advising on growth and innovation initiatives. His past clients have included publicly traded financial institutions, federal agencies, nonprofits, and social impact enterprises.

Growing up in North Carolina and with multiple family members running small businesses, Josiah’s connection to the Rural Center’s mission is personal. He envisions a North Carolina where all our communities and entrepreneurs have access to the capital and opportunity they deserve.

Josiah holds an MBA from Georgetown University and a B.A. in economics from North Carolina State University. He once cycled 4,200 miles coast to coast across the southern United States to raise awareness and funds for affordable housing.

Outside of work, he’s an active church member, enjoyer of great BBQ, an avid reader and wannabe American history buff who will pickup anything Doris Kearns Goodwin has written. He is married and a dad to two young children with whom he is slowly hiking through North Carolina’s state parks.