North Bridge appoints Souza managing director, strategy & growth

Manhattan, NY North Bridge appointed Kelly Souza as managing director, strategy & growth. Souza will lead West Coast originations, manage lender partnerships, and help drive the firm’s growth initiatives. A veteran finance executive with more than 20 years of institutional experience in lending, capital markets, advisory, and sustainable finance, she will play a key role in advancing North Bridge’s growth strategy.

Souza joins North Bridge from Wells Fargo, where she most recently served as managing director, leading sustainable finance for the commercial real estate business. 

During her tenure, Souza championed the integration of C-PACE into the bank’s credit platform, helping expand lender acceptance and demonstrating its effectiveness as a complementary capital solution. Her prior roles at Wells Fargo include leadership positions in real estate banking, Rreal estate managed assets, and multifamily capital. She has been recognized with multiple industry honors, including the San Diego Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business award.

Souza holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of San Diego, graduating summa cum laude, and completed the Wells Fargo Credit Management Training Program. She is based in Seattle.

“Kelly brings a rare combination of strategic insight, industry-wide relationships, and hands-on capital markets experience that will meaningfully accelerate our growth,” said Laura Rapaport, founder and CEO. “Her leadership will help us expand our presence on the West Coast, strengthen our partnerships, and continue to build a private credit platform that meets the needs of institutional borrowers and senior lenders alike. We are thrilled to welcome her to North Bridge as we scale our impact across the industry.”

“I am excited to join the North Bridge team as it continues to redefine how C-PACE can enhance capital solutions for real estate owners,” said Souza. “North Bridge’s commitment to thoughtful structuring and strong industry partnerships aligns perfectly with my experience across lending, advisory, and sustainable finance. I look forward to helping expand the platform’s reach and impact.”