Blake J. Stanfill

Blake J. Stanfill is an accomplished investor and leader based in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is the Founder and Principal of Okwata Group, a financial services firm established in January 2020 that specializes in providing outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) services to impact venture capital, private equity funds, and green banks. The firm aims to support socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs and communities by advising on growth strategies and channel partnerships.124

Professional Background

• Entrepreneurial Ventures: Stanfill co-founded LendStand, a fintech startup that offered working capital solutions to underserved businesses involved in public contracts. He also served as the Entrepreneur-In-Residence at the New Orleans Startup Fund, where he led an accelerator program focused on minority-owned businesses.12
• Previous Roles: Before founding Okwata Group, he was the Director of Growth at Trepwise, where he directed business development strategies. He also held positions such as Chief of Staff at the Louisiana Department of Education and worked as a credit-risk analyst at Bank of America.23

Education

Stanfill holds multiple degrees:

• MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
• Master of Finance from Tulane University.
• Bachelor's degree from Duke University.23

Community Engagement

Blake is actively involved in various organizations, serving on several boards including Brothers Empowered To Teach and BioDistrict New Orleans. He is passionate about creating long-lasting impacts on institutions and society, particularly focusing on enhancing life outcomes for historically disenfranchised groups.12

Personal Life

A fifth-generation Louisianian, Blake resides in New Orleans with his wife, Jennifer, and their three sons. His commitment to community development reflects his deep roots and dedication to his home city.2