Pathway Lending’s board of directors has appointed Amy Bunton as president, expanding her leadership role after 18 years with the Community Development Financial Institution. Bunton continues to serve as chief operating officer while taking on the additional role.

In her expanded position, Bunton leads Pathway Lending’s executive leadership team in partnership with chief executive officer Clint Gwin, overseeing day-to-day operations and ensuring coordination across enterprise-wide functions. She aligns internal resources, systems, and teams to support the organization’s strategic plan, annual budgeting, and mission-driven work across Nashville and throughout Tennessee. As president, Bunton is focused on strengthening infrastructure and technology to expand access to capital and serve more small businesses statewide, particularly those operating for more than one year.

“Pathway Lending’s mission has always been about creating opportunities where it’s needed most,” said Bunton. “I’m honored to step into this role as president and continue expanding access to capital across Tennessee while accelerating our lending and creating economic impact through job creation and capital investment.”

Bunton has extensive experience in economic development, finance, and small business growth. A Tennessee native who grew up in Jackson, she joined Pathway in 2008 as senior vice president and Tennessee rural opportunity fund manager for West Tennessee. Since then, she has played a key role in expanding the organization’s reach and deepening its impact in communities across the state. Since its founding, Pathway has funded more than $640 million in loans.

Prior to joining Pathway, she led the Existing Business and Industry Initiative and Economic Development Loan Funds at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and served as assistant commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. Additionally, her background as a small business owner gives her firsthand insight into the opportunities and resources entrepreneurs need.

Businesses interested in funding can get started with the application process here.

About Pathway Lending

Pathway Lending is a Tennessee-based Community Development Financial Institution certified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury that propels economic growth in under-resourced communities. Since its establishment in 1999, Pathway has generated more than $1 billion in economic impact as a leading community-focused lender in the Southeast. Pathway has financed over 1,800 businesses, delivering more than $640 million in direct lending through its small business, affordable housing, and sustainability-related loan funds, plus investing $115 million in new markets tax credits. Pathway is committed to creating economic opportunity and lasting impact across Tennessee, serving businesses and communities with offices in Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga, Knoxville and surrounding cities.

In 2025, Pathway funded $54.3 million in loan capital and provided 15,000 hours of education and coaching to 1,800 entrepreneurs. This funding supported 384 affordable multifamily housing units, 2,700 small business jobs and $331,000 in annual energy cost savings. To learn more about the entrepreneurs and communities that Pathway Lending serves, visit PathwayLending.org.