Aaron W. Jackson
Program Director Michigan Good Food Fund
As part of our Impact Investing team, Aaron manages the Michigan Good Food Fund, a statewide loan fund that supports food businesses across the state that are increasing healthy food access, creating jobs, integrating environmental practices, and supporting local sourcing. The collaborative brings a deep commitment to racial and social equity to ensure more equitable access to financing, food, jobs, and ownership. Aaron leads the fund’s investment process and manages its portfolio. He also works closely with the collaborative’s Stakeholder Board which sets the vision and priorities for the Michigan Good Food Fund, channels community input, and keeps the work accountable to those it seeks to benefit. Fair Food Network has served as administrative manager for the collaborative since 2021.
Aaron has 13 years of experience in community and economic development, providing resources that give financial freedom and allow individuals to take ownership of their life. He was most recently the program manager of the Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project at the University of Michigan, where he managed a collaboration with 13 faculty members. The collective combined Detroit-based businesses with faculty-supervised student teams to provide a learning experience for students and solve businesses’ most pressing challenges. He is the founder and principal consultant of The CorpVantage, a professional development consulting firm that offers leadership and soft skills training to further professional success. He has an MBA in International Business, a Juris Doctor in Law, and a Bachelor of Science in International Business. He is the co-chair of the New Economy Initiative/Neighborhood Business Initiative, dedicated to business development and growth in Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park. Aaron is a planning committee member for the National Microloan Conference and the advisory committee of the Oakland County Revolving Loan Fund and Detroit Means Business. He is also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
He resides in Southfield with his wife and two dogs and spends most of his time traveling, watching films, and making candles.