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Devin: What is your superpower?

Jenny: Inclusive capital advocacy.

The future of regulated investment crowdfunding is being shaped not just by markets but by the voices that advocate for fair, effective policies in Washington. Jenny Kassan, President of the Crowdfunding Professional Association (CfPA), has emerged as a leading champion of this work. The association’s upcoming summit and the advocacy efforts that precede it illustrate the growing momentum behind this movement.

Jenny explained, “The Crowdfunding Professional Association represents the crowdfunding industry, the regulated investment crowdfunding industry. This is everyone who’s involved in trying to make it easier for small businesses, entrepreneurs, changemakers, artists, everyone who has the ability to offer an investment opportunity to be able to offer it to everybody, everybody in the country.”

The October summit in Washington, D.C., highlights the growing traction of this movement. Jenny shared that this year, the CfPA is securing more meetings with members of Congress and the Senate who influence financial market rules. That progress signals a growing recognition of the industry’s role in democratizing access to capital.

Speakers at the summit will include SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce, known for her balanced approach to fostering innovation while maintaining sensible regulation, and James Murphy from FINRA, the body overseeing day-to-day regulation of crowdfunding platforms. These perspectives, alongside industry leaders like Mark Elenowitz, will help issuers, investors, and platforms better navigate the complex regulatory landscape.

Jenny was candid about the rapid changes unfolding in this space, especially around emerging technologies like crypto. “The industry is really evolving quickly. Even though there haven’t been any law changes yet, there’s been a huge, huge evolution and rapid change in the space,” she noted. Panels on crypto and digital assets will explore how innovation intersects with regulation, underscoring the importance of ongoing dialogue with policymakers.

The CfPA summit is more than a conference. It is the culmination of months of advocacy, uniting stakeholders to strengthen the rules that govern investment crowdfunding. By convening entrepreneurs, investors, regulators, and industry professionals, the event will serve as a platform to share knowledge, influence policy, and build momentum for greater capital access.

Jenny’s leadership highlights that regulated investment crowdfunding is still young but brimming with potential. Her efforts—and those of the CfPA—help ensure the system grows into a tool that works for everyone.

tl;dr:

Jenny Kassan explained how the Crowdfunding Professional Association advocates in Washington to strengthen rules for regulated investment crowdfunding.

She shared details about the upcoming summit, including meetings with legislators, regulators, and key industry experts.

Jenny emphasized the importance of balanced regulation, highlighting insights from SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce and FINRA’s James Murphy.

She described how crowdfunding empowers underrepresented entrepreneurs, often outperforming traditional fundraising sources like venture capital and banks.

Jenny encouraged participation in the CfPA and its summit, reminding listeners that inclusive access to capital benefits everyone.

How to Develop Inclusive Capital Advocacy As a Superpower

Jenny described her superpower as her ability to advocate for inclusive access to capital. She explained that her passion lies in helping entrepreneurs—especially those underrepresented in traditional finance—gain the resources they need to thrive. As she put it, “We see like women, people of color, people that don’t come from the top schools or from wealthy families often are quite successful with regulation crowdfunding, sometimes even more so. That’s the reason I love the tool so much.”

Her superpower is evident in her consistent championing of entrepreneurs who face barriers to traditional funding. By focusing on regulated investment crowdfunding, she empowers founders to bypass gatekeepers and reach communities of investors who share their vision.

One story illustrates this clearly: Jenny highlighted data showing that diverse and under-resourced founders often raise more successfully through crowdfunding than through venture capital, angel groups, or banks. That success proves that crowdfunding levels the playing field. For Jenny, seeing women and people of color outperform traditional fundraising norms affirms the power of her mission.

Jenny offered valuable insights for developing this superpower:

Recognize who is excluded by traditional systems and design new ways to include them.

Focus on building tools and structures that make participation easier for everyone.

Ground advocacy in data that demonstrates success outside the status quo.

Persist in championing change even when mainstream systems resist.

By following Jenny’s example and advice, you can make inclusive capital advocacy a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.

Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!

Guest Profile

Jenny Kassan (she/her):

President, Crowdfunding Professional Association

About Crowdfunding Professional Association: The Crowdfunding Professional Association (CfPA) is a 501 (c)(6) nonprofit trade organization established by numerous authors and contributors to the Jumpstart Our Business Startup Act (“JOBS Act”) on April 5, 2012. The CfPA is dedicated to representing the Crowdfunding industry and supporting the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) while providing the industry with education, a professional network and the tools necessary to cultivate and balance a healthy ecosystem that will accelerate capital formation and ensure investor protection whenever possible. Join our association at https://www.crowdfundingecosystem.com/join or get your company listed with a microsite in the CfPA online ECO directory at: https://www.crowdfundingecosystem.com/upgrade/upgrade

Website: crowdfundingecosystem.com

Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/crowdfunding-professional-association

Company Facebook Page: facebook.com/CrowdfundingProfessionalAssociation

Other URL: events.humanitix.com/regulated-investment-crowdfunding-summit-2025

Biographical Information: Jenny Kassan is an attorney, community economic development leader, and nationally recognized advocate for mission-driven entrepreneurship. With nearly 30 years of experience, she has dedicated her career to helping founders raise capital on their own terms while building wealth that stays rooted in local communities. She is the CEO of Baltimore Community Commons, which fosters investment access, knowledge sharing, and mutual aid, and the owner of The Kassan Group, a boutique law firm serving impact entrepreneurs. Jenny is also the author of Raise Capital on Your Own Terms: How to Fund Your Business Without Selling Your Soul and a frequent speaker on innovative finance, sustainable business, and community wealth building.

Jenny’s leadership extends across the national crowdfunding and economic justice ecosystem. She currently serves as President of the Crowdfunding Professional Association and President of Community Ventures, and previously co-founded CrowdFund Main Street and the Sustainable Economies Law Center. Her public service includes serving on the Fremont City Council, advising the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on small and emerging companies, and directing community projects at the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. A graduate of Yale Law School and UC Berkeley, Jenny continues to shape policies and practices that empower entrepreneurs while advancing a more equitable economy.

X/Twitter Handle: @jennykassan

Personal Facebook Profile: facebook.com/jenny.kassan

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/jennykassan

Instagram Handle: @thekassangroup

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