Rekindle Your Fire!

Now is the time to refocus on your career.
The ELFA Women’s Council is ready to help.

If you’re casting around for ways to get back your spark after one of the most difficult years in 100, look no further than the ELFA Women’s Council. A larger than usual supply of Council events and experiences await in 2021 to refuel your career development.

Deb Baker, Chair, ELFA Women’s Council and Head of Worldwide Leasing and Financing at HP, Inc., says the Council has doubled up on its goals this year, to continue supporting activities that have been successful in the past, and to launch two years of new programs, some delayed in 2020 due to the pandemic. Here’s a rundown of what’s coming up:

2021 ELFA Women’s Leadership Forum LIVE!

This fully virtual conference happens April 20 and promises an abundance of take-aways. Jennifer Fanz, Chair of 2021 ELFA Women’s Leadership Forum LIVE!, Chair-Elect of the ELFA Women’s Council and Country Sales Manager, US Healthcare at DLL, sums up the Forum’s aim. “This past year has required so much energy from all of us to pivot and focus on those things that demanded our attention during a crisis, all while somehow still managing our careers and juggling family needs. It has been a lot. As a result, some of our fires have smoldered. Now it’s time to begin investing in ourselves again—thus our Forum theme: ‘Stoking the Fire.’”






As with past Women’s Leadership Forums, this year’s brims with inspiration and ideas for personal and professional renewal. Fanz’s own enthusiasm breaks through when she talks about it. “There are ways to accept what we’ve gone through and acknowledge what we were able to overcome during the pandemic so we can get back our spark,” she says. “One way is to focus on small changes that can have a positive impact. Another is to brush aside the things you can’t control so you can devote more time to those you can. Our speakers will address these topics and more as part of a stimulating agenda that will be embraced by everyone who attends.”

Shannon Cassidy, Founder and CEO of bridge between, inc., a boutique leadership development firm specializing in behavioral change, executive presence, effective communication and empowering leadership, will deliver a keynote based on her book, The 5 Degree Principle: How Small Changes Lead to Big Results. “Shannon’s energy is truly contagious,” says Fanz. “She’ll help set the tone for the entire conference.” 

Over lunch, a diverse group of executives will share their experiences from the past year, including how they are leading teams remotely and dealing with the challenges of COVID-19. An optional, hour-long networking session will follow, itself to be followed by a fireside chat between Fanz and TomorrowZone Founder and CEO Deb Reuben. Entitled “Reinvention: Letting Go of Yesterday to Ignite Your Tomorrow,” this candid conversation will focus on how to make awesome happen, regardless of your circumstances. 

Next, Personal Development Coach and Success Trainer Kelly Accetta will speak on defusing the landmines we plant in our own lives. “Often without recognizing it, we plant problems in our minds that quickly grow into obstacles,” says Fanz. “We make unjust comparisons between ourselves and others, and we engage in negative self-messaging that damages our egos and prevents us from moving forward. Kelly will give us tools to overcome these subconscious habits.” Afterward, a short recap and closing session will give way to a networking reception at which attendees can gather in small or large groups. 

Andrea Hart, Member, ELFA Women’s Council and Global HR Director, Caterpillar Financial Services Corp., is totally fired up about the Forum and ready to log on. “I’m looking forward to the virtual format because it will give more people an opportunity to attend,” says Hart. Not only that, she thinks the sessions will appeal to a cross-section of women and men in equipment finance and provide tools to reenergize. “Even in a virtual environment we’ll be able to move beyond the day-to-day and think about what we as individuals need to grow our careers,” she says, adding, “This is exactly what we need right now.”

About the Council 

For those unfamiliar with the Women’s Council, Baker provides background. “The Women’s Council, together with the ELFA Equality Steering Committee and the Emerging Talent Advisory Council (ETAC), is leading the evolution of the association into a more accessible, inclusive organization that reflects the diversity of our members and the markets they serve,” she says. “An important part of the effort’s success will be inclusive and innovative leadership, driven partly by increasing the engagement of women at all levels in the association and member companies.” 

Men as well as women are encouraged to attend Council events. “We want and need the support of men, who are still the majority in our industry,” says Baker. “We can learn a great deal from each other, and we hope to see more of you at our events this year.”  

Added Convention Attractions

Always a vibrant presence at the ELFA Annual Convention, the Women’s Council will add an event this year, kicking off its Onboarding Buddy Program to welcome first-time Convention attendees. “It’s tough to go to such a large conference for the first time, and the 2019 convention was the first for nearly 50 people,” says Baker. “Having someone meet you for coffee, show you around and share tips and suggestions can really ease the way, and we’ll assign a buddy to all newcomers who request one.” 






The Council will also submit a proposal for a Convention break-out session. “We’ve been quite successful getting past proposals accepted and funded, and we really hope that will be the case this year, and that we’ll be able to meet in person,” says Baker.

Even if the Convention is virtual, attendance at Council events is likely to be high. The popular Women’s Council Reception, usually held on the first evening of the Convention, exemplifies the outreach the Council continues to foster. “Our last reception was our biggest by far, and we’re gratified that so many make it a point to attend,” says Baker. “This year, we look forward to welcoming an ever larger and more diverse group of professionals who’ve chosen to be part of the equipment finance industry.”

Mentoring, and More 

An offering set to launch this year after a delay in 2020 is the Council’s Mentoring Program. And because each ELFA Council has mentoring as one of its goals, Baker says the planning sub-committees of all three will connect. “All mentors and mentees who signed up last year will be contacted about participating this year,” she says. “Stay tuned—more information will be forthcoming.”






Another Women’s Council program begun in 2019 will continue this year with the goal of adding more content, more networking opportunities and more members. “The ELFA Women4Inclusion LinkedIn Group is a great opportunity to stay connected to those in our industry dedicated to moving the inclusion needle,” says Milissa Melle, Women’s Council Member and Vice President, Demand Generation and Sales Readiness at Key Equipment Finance. “The Council is committed to highlighting the success of women leaders, sharing important equality data, and motivating its members with quality content. We look forward to consistently evolving the LinkedIn group, using the feedback of our members as the guiding premise for the group’s success.” To join, go to www.linkedin.com/groups/12189073/.

Also on tap for this year: creation of a Women’s Leadership webpage within ELFA’s website, www.elfaonline.org. To feature articles and recorded talks on professional development, the site will provide links to past Council events, profiles of women in equipment finance and a link to the Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit, designed by the ELFA Equality Steering Committee to support member companies in their journey toward fostering a diverse and inclusive culture within their organizations. More resources focusing on women’s leadership and career advancement will be posted as they become available. 

Eye-Openers and Allies

Whether you drop in at a reception, go to a Council-sponsored break-out session at the Convention, or attend the Women’s Leadership Forum, members of the Women’s Council say their events are designed to be valuable opportunities for men as well as women. Bob Cohen agrees wholeheartedly. A Partner at Moritt Hock & Hamroff LLP, Cohen is an active member of the Women’s Council. “Attending Women’s Council events and serving on the Council are wonderfully eye-opening and empowering,” he says. “The talent and drive the members display are high-caliber, insightful and refreshing—and it’s particularly enlightening to learn how often the experiences of women in our industry differ greatly from those of men. Adding this awareness will make each attendee improve, regardless of gender, and broaden her or his understanding of all members of the industry. The Women’s Council identifies growth areas that enable any organization to accomplish more with their existing human resources, and we at our company are seeing this payoff regularly.”

Cohen is what some in equipment finance might call an “ally” of the Women’s Council. He takes an interest in the progress of women in equipment finance, enjoys learning more about them as a group, and uses opportunities to draw attention to the growing role of women in the industry. “Equipment leasing and finance has been a male-dominated industry for decades, and it’s clear that the growing number of women in ELFA are making our industry stronger and better equipped to serve its customers,” he observes, and then adds, “Industry leaders need to support the ELFA Women’s Council. Much good will come from taking this action—both expected and unexpected.”