The Collaborative’s mission is to close the wealth gap in North Carolina by ensuring that everyone has a pathway to prosperity.
We advocate on behalf of financially vulnerable communities by collaborating with financial institutions, nonprofits, and local government agencies across the state to educate people on building wealth.
We believe everyone deserves an equal opportunity to build wealth.
In 1996, a group of financial inclusion advocates came together to implement a new asset-building strategy, Individual Development Accounts (IDAs). IDAs are an incentivized match savings plan that encourages people with low incomes to save money with a 3 to 1 or 4 to 1 match on their savings goals. The advocates created an innovative new tool with support from the North Carolina General Assembly, state agencies, and grant funding. The IDA and Asset Building Collaborative formed one of the nation’s largest IDA programs with nearly 700 active accounts at 25 sites state-wide.
The Collaborative’s prominence in its field comes of the history and breadth of its operation. Our experience managing IDA programs and providing direct financial services to clients – while also providing technical assistance to leaders in the field and bringing them together around trending financial inclusion topics through the NC Assets Alliance – makes The Collaborative unique in the financial capability and asset building community.
Kati Sessoms is the Director of Cash Management and Deposits for First Carolina Bank and the head chair of the Collaborative board. Kati holds a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University. Kati has been in banking for eighteen years. Kati specializes in treasury management and takes pride in assisting her current clientele in running their business more efficiently. Kati lives in the Raleigh area with her husband and two daughters.
La-Tasha Best-Gaddy is the Chief Strategist of Infinity Bridges Inc. La-Tasha has over 20 years of experience in the Accounting, Insurance, Financial Services, and Non-Profit Industry Sectors. La-Tasha is a passionate thought leader and entrepreneur. She is raising the next generation of entrepreneurs by supporting her two teenager’s business ventures. She is active within the community and serves on multiple committees and boards. La-Tasha serves as Board Treasurer of The Collaborative, Board Treasurer of Self-Help Credit Union, and Executive Team for City of Durham Small Business Advisory Committee, Treasurer & Co-Founder of NC Employee Ownership Center, Treasurer of The Collaborative, and Treasurer of Rebuild Durham. She is a lifelong learner and has multiple certificates. She was the 2020 Woman of Distinction by Chapel Hill Magazine. In 2019, received the SDG Honors Award sponsored by AgroBiz. She holds graduate and undergraduate degrees from North Carolina Central University. She has a certificate from The College of Insurance in New York. She is a NDC certified Economic Development Financial Professional. She is a graduate of NC Rural Economic Development Institute, Leadership North Carolina and Leadership Triangle.
Tiffany Gladney is the Policy and Government Affairs Manager at the N.C. Rural Center. Tiffany holds a B.A. in Communication Media from North Carolina State University. Tiffany is a communications and advocacy professional with a proven track record of effectively advocating for several pieces of legislation which have led to enhanced newborn screening, increased funding for tobacco cessation and preconception health initiatives.
Catherine Jarboe is a Strategic Communications and Marketing Consultant. Catherine holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing Communications from Virginia Tech and a masters in Education from Bellarmine University. Catherine has more than fifteen years of success in developing and directing effective public outreach, communications and marketing campaigns in the national nonprofit private sector, social justice organizations, and in government.
Tameka A. Reed is the VP, Community Development Specialist at PNC. Tameka holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Howard University and a masters of Business Administration from Pfeiffer University. Tameka works with organizations that are engaged in affordable housing, economic development, neighborhood revitalization and stabilization, financial education and community services; to help improve the quality of life for low to moderate income individuals and communities. Tameka currently resides in Raleigh with her husband and two sons.
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