What’s On Your Mind?
EXCHANGING BEST PRACTICES was the focus of the best practices roundtables held in Chicago in March by four of ELFA’s Business Council Steering Committees. The interactive, half-day programs drew equipment finance executives together for information sharing and critical thinking about issues they face as leaders of their organizations.
At the opening luncheon, ELFA Board Chair Bob Neagle of Finova Capital (at left) and economist Robert Wescott, Ph.D., of Keybridge shared an overview of the state of equipment finance and the state of the U.S. economy, respectively.
The Bank Best Practices Roundtable kicked off with a discussion about indexing in a volatile interest-rate environment and LIBOR cessation. That was followed by a session on preparing for state disclosure laws in California and New York.
At the Independent Roundtable, Bruce Winter of FSG Capital and Corinne Seton of Mitsubishi HC Capital (pictured) joined Roman Gajda of ENGS Commercial Finance Co. and Steve White of Stonebriar Commercial Finance in a conversation about “Independent Strategies in the Current Capital Market Environment.” A discussion of industry compensation and workforce trends followed.
The Captive and Vendor Finance Roundtable held interactive sessions on “Captive Finance: Embracing Change and Driving Innovation in a Disruptive Market” and fraud prevention.
At the Small Ticket Roundtable, Jared Hanlin of GreatAmerica Financial Services, Brian Tri of Channel and Eric McGriff of Wintrust Specialty Finance (pictured) discussed “Fraud: Identification, Detection and Prevention.” A session on navigating a slowing economy followed.
Forum Celebrates Women’s Leadership
The Women’s Leadership Forum on April 3-4 in Chicago was ELFA’s fifth and largest, surpassing 270 attendees. The agenda featured keynote speakers and hot-topic sessions organized around the theme “Leading With Your Whole Self.” Special networking activities included a fun walk, yoga class and dine around. To connect to this community of leaders, join the Women4Inclusion LinkedIn group at www.linkedin.com/groups/12189073/.
Keynote speaker Sara Holtz moderated an Executive Leaders Panel featuring (L-R): Amrita Patel, Head of Equipment Finance at Wells Fargo Equipment Finance; Melinda Haynes, President of Onset Financial; Lisa Fleischer, Chief Legal Officer at DLL; and Deb Baker, Head of Worldwide Leasing and Financing at HP Inc.
A panel on “Navigating Work/Life Integration” featured six Women’s Council members (L-R): Moderator and Chair-Elect Catherine Roddick of FarmCredit Leasing, Past Chair Jen Fanz of PEAC Solutions, Donna Yanuzzi of 1st Equipment Finance, Jerrie Carter of Volvo Financial Services, Kirsten Hawkins of SCJ Commercial Financial Services, and Chair Michelle Speranza of LEAF Commercial Capital Inc.
Attendees filled a large ballroom as they learned and networked together.
Attendees represented all sectors of the equipment finance industry, from credit to sales to IT.
