Notable Minority Executives: Willie Smith Executive director, Northwest Side Community Development Corp. Feb 24, 2021 5:30 pm Share Undergrad degree/university: Bachelor of Science, Cardinal Stritch University Willie Smith, executive director of the Northwest Side Community Development Corp. (NWSCDC), has led the resurgence of business interest in Milwaukee’s northwest side. As executive director of NWSCDC since 2020, and previously as director of lending for the organization, Smith has increased small business loans for community residents and businesses located on the northwest side. Last year, NWSCDC’s eight small business loan total was a 300% increase over the organization’s three-year average. Five of the eight small business loans went to African American entrepreneurs, supporting a wide variety of industries.