The year 2020 has presented unique challenges and interruptions across all aspects of our lives, but it does not stop us from celebrating the various accomplishments and achievements of women leaders of color! Throughout the month of August, we will spotlight these amazing women and share their unique perspectives, philosophies, and stories.

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Deborah Lowe Muramoto is the President and CEO of California Capital Financial Development, a non-profit organization that administers the State of California Small Business Loan Guarantee Program (SBLGP). Since 2002, California Capital has held the distinction of being certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and a Community Development Entity (CDE) by the U.S. Department of Treasury and the California Department of Insurance-California Organized Investment Network (COIN). Muramoto is responsible for the direction and administration of products and services provided through the corporation’s small and microenterprise business capacity building and access to capital programs. She also leads the administration of California Capital’s Women’s Business Center, which was created to support women business owners and share support.

California Capital is the Sacramento Promise Zone Lead Economic Development Implementation Partner. With the support of the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Agency, Muramoto played a significant role in the development and delivery of capacity building and access to capital programs that focus on the specific needs of businesses located in the Sacramento Promise Zone.

Muramoto is involved with several other boards whose missions support small business and economic development. Among them include: the Sacramento Chinese Community Service Center Board of Directors, Advisory Board for the SCORE-Sacramento Chapter, Northern California Network of Small Business Development Centers, and the Franklin Neighborhood Development Corporation.

For our Minority Women Lead campaign, Muramoto has a few key points of wisdom to share with our readers:

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Throughout your leadership journey, from your first job to your current position, what are some key lessons you’ve learned that have shaped you as a leader?

Deborah Lowe Muramoto: Many woman of my generation grew up during a time where we benefitted from, and were sometimes caught between, believing in and embracing traditional cultures, norms and values of that time; and experiencing the excitement and being witness to, what was, at that time, the women’s liberation movement and having the freedom to explore and accept new cultures, stretch the limits of perceived acceptable norms, but know that maintaining the values I learned from my Father would always be the foundation of who I grew to be.

The key lessons I have been blessed with have all come from my dear Father, who raised me after my Mother died when I was 3 years old:

• Respect – Having respect for myself, is just as important as having respect for others.
• Honesty – Can you look in the mirror and like the person you see?
• Kindness – A trait that will bring one many blessings in return.
• Sense of Humor – I laugh at myself all the time.
• Humility – Remember not to take yourself too seriously. I’m not important, it’s what I can do for others that is important.
• Charity/Generosity – Think of others before thinking of yourself. It’s the key to a loving heart.
• Always treat others, as you would want to be treated.

Who are some women that have inspired you?

DLM: My Mother, who has always been with me in spirit. She has always held my hand, and guided me through the challenges and victories I have experienced. Making sure I grew up to be a strong, confident, honest and compassionate woman.

What do you still want to accomplish?

DLM: I am blessed to have 3 wonderful children and 2 grandsons, who are the light of my life. They ARE my greatest accomplishment, and I am so proud of them. The only greater accomplishment that I could imagine achieving is, when I leave this world, knowing that my children and grandsons believe that I was a good person, and a good steward in practicing and passing on to them, the key lessons of life I learned from my Father.