Julie Benson MBA, CAE

• VP, Membership Marketing
• jbenson@elfaonline.org
• (202) 238-3432

Julie Benson serves as Vice President of Membership Marketing for the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA), the premier trade association representing 600+ member organizations in the $1.3 trillion equipment finance sector.

In her role, Ms. Benson is responsible for developing a comprehensive strategy that engages and retains ELFA members while enhancing the overall value of membership. She is responsible for driving dues revenue, retaining existing members, and actively recruiting new members across diverse populations. As the staff liaison for both the Bank Business Council Steering Committee and the Membership Committee, Ms. Benson ensures effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders. Additionally, she partners with the entire staff to uphold the integrity and quality of the Association Management System (AMS), optimizing its functionality to better serve the needs of the organization and its members.

Prior to joining ELFA in March 2013, Ms. Benson served as director of administration and operations for the Insured Retirement Institute, where she managed the productivity, efficiency, and profitability of the association's operations. Before that, she was the director of marketing for Enviso Capital, where she worked closely with high-net-worth clients, managing existing relationships and developing programs to attract new clients to the firm.

Ms. Benson holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of California, Riverside and a master's degree in business administration from California University State Long Beach, where she graduated with honors.

Andy Fishburn CLFP

• Senior Vice President of Public Policy
• afishburn@elfaonline.org
• (202) 238-3419

Leigh Lytle

• President and CEO
• llytle@elfaonline.org
• (202) 238-3425

Leigh Lytle is the President and CEO of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA), the premier trade association representing 575+ member organizations in the $1 trillion equipment finance sector. In her role, Ms. Lytle leads the association in executing its mission and delivering on the value proposition to its members. This includes providing a platform to promote and advocate for the industry, including attracting and developing new and diverse talent; a forum for professional development and training; and a resource that develops information about, and for, the industry. She also serves as the President of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (ELFF), which is dedicated to inspiring thoughtful innovation and contributing to the betterment of the equipment leasing and finance industry.

Before joining ELFA, Ms. Lytle served as the Head of North American Policy at Plaid and led education and engagement efforts with regulators and financial institutions. In this role, she advocated for protecting consumers' rights within the digital financial ecosystem and in Washington, D.C. She also served as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Financial Technology Association (FTA), which represents innovative companies shaping the future of finance. The industry trade group champions the power of technology-centered financial services and advocates for the modernization of financial regulation to support inclusion and responsible innovation. Before joining Plaid, Ms. Lytle spent over 15 years in the Federal Reserve Bank system in various executive roles ranging from engagements in monetary and regulatory policy to operations and data analytics oversight.

Kelli Nienaber

• Executive Director
• knienaber@leasefoundation.org
• (202) 238-3429

Kelli Nienaber is the Executive Director of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation in Washington, DC. Having been in this role since 2011, she is the primary conduit to the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and volunteer governance committees. She oversees the business and staff of the Foundation, which propels the $1 trillion equipment finance sector—and its people—forward with its industry-specific knowledge, intelligence, and programs. Through free studies, internships, and Guest Lecture opportunities, the Foundation helps industry professionals navigate the changes coming up and make better business and personal career decisions.

Prior to the Foundation, Kelli’s career was focused in the government relations/political arena. She has successfully managed political involvement and grassroots campaigns, as well as developed and executed federal and state legislative strategy in corporate and trade association organizations. She began her professional career in the public sector working for former U.S. Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) both in his Washington, DC office and in her home state of Missouri.

Kelli holds a B.A. in political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She is an active volunteer serving on non-profit Boards in her community. Kelli and her husband Brian reside in Alexandria, VA with their four children.

Jeff Quigley

• VP, Finance & Administration/CFO
• jquigley@elfaonline.org
• (202) 238-3411

Jeff Quigley brings 25 years of public accounting experience to ELFA. He progressed from Staff Auditor to Audit partner at the DC-based firm Tate and Tryon, which specialized exclusively in nonprofit organizations. In addition to serving a diverse portfolio of nonprofit organizations, Quigley conducted a wide variety of consulting engagements from internal control analysis to mergers and acquisitions. In addition to writing articles and conducting staff training, he was responsible for the automated audit process: monitoring, testing and implementing emerging technologies. Quigley concluded his public accounting career at RSM after its acquisition of Tate and Tryon. He earned a B.S. in accounting from Virginia Tech.

Lisa Ramirez

• VP, Business and Professional Development
• lramirez@elfaonline.org
• (202) 238-3414

Lisa Ramirez serves as Vice President, Business and Professional Development for the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA), the premier trade association representing 575+ member organizations in the $1 trillion equipment finance sector.

Ms. Ramirez oversees the management and direction of all business and professional development activities for the association, including the Annual Convention, conferences, workshops, best practices roundtables, e-learning initiatives, web seminars and web-based educational content.

Prior to joining the ELFA in July 2012, Ms. Ramirez served as an Educational Programs Manager for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, where she served as sole project manager (design and implementation) for the planning and executing of 15 educational programs. Previously, she served as a program manager for the American Institute of Architects, where she managed and coordinated key projects and conferences with AIA Executive Members.

Ms. Ramirez holds a master's degree in communication studies from Texas State University, a bachelor's degree in organizational communication from Texas State, and a certification in corporate communication training and development.