Foundation Update: A Renewed Mission, Heightened Impact

This year has been an exhilarating time of renewed purpose for the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation as it works for the betterment of the equipment finance industry. With the transition of industry research to the Equipment Leasing & Finance Assoociation (ELFA) in January, the Foundation’s leadership has realigned and refocused its efforts on its original core function: education and workforce development. This spring the Foundation Board of Trustees approved a new strategic plan to support its updated mission: to strengthen the equipment finance industry and the professionals who power it through talent development, thought leadership, and workforce evolution.

The Foundation’s workforce development focus is a win for both future industry talent, equipment finance companies and the industry overall. The Foundation plans to expand its successful Campus to Career programs, including scholarships, university partnerships and campus presentations. Resources targeted for equipment finance companies include an internship platform to connect with students and create an on-ramp to industry careers, and the Talent Development Fund, a grant program for early career professionals to attend specific ELFA events for exposure to professional development and engagement opportunities to accelerate talent pipeline growth.

“The Foundation's work has never been more vital,” said Kelli Nienaber, Foundation Executive Director. “As the equipment finance industry continues to evolve, so does the need for talented, diverse, and dedicated professionals to lead it. Our strategic plan reflects both the urgency of our mission and our unwavering confidence in the programs, partnerships, and people who will strengthen our industry into the future."

The scholarship recipients are:

• Halle Aasand, studying business at Green River College in Auburn, Washington. She is pursuing a bachelor's degree in accounting, and recently completed a marketing internship at AP Equipment Financing.
• Immanuella Akumabor, a graduate student at Georgia Institute of Technology pursuing a Master of Science in Quantitative and Computational Finance, expected to graduate in December 2027. She has gained hands-on experience through internships at LexisNexis Risk Solutions and SEO, and currently serves as a financial analyst intern at Georgia Institute of Technology.
• Tiana Burton, pursuing an MBA at Clark Atlanta University and building on over 10 years of leadership and human resources experience gained while serving in the U.S. Army. She earned her bachelor's degree in business administration in 2025.
• Estefany Calderon, a finance and economics student at Loyola University New Orleans, set to graduate in 2028. She was introduced to equipment leasing and finance through a financial administration internship at a local construction firm.
• Mason Conrad, a business administration major concentrating in finance at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, expected to graduate in May 2027. This summer, he will intern at KeyBank’s New York City office.
• Megan Crosby, studying finance student at the University of Florida, set to graduate in May 2028. In addition to her coursework, she was a senior analyst in UF’s FinTech Program and an intern at Square1.
• Kaedin Duong, a student-athlete studying interprofessional health science, data and business analytics at Seton Hall University, set to graduate in 2028. He is currently contributing to the growth and business development of a consumer packaged goods start-up in New York City. 
• Grayson Fuchs, a global business leadership major at Saint John’s University, set to graduate in spring 2027. He looks forward to gaining industry experience through his internship at Oakmont Capital Services.
• Zachary Kramer, studying business administration with a finance emphasis at Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa, expected to graduate in December 2026. He has interned at Western Equipment Finance in their sales department and is currently interning at Hampton Ridge Financial on their sales team. 
• Ashley McNeer, currently pursuing a Master of Business in Management at Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas, with an expected graduation date of December 2026. She is an account manager at De Lage Landen.
• Carter Pettey, pursuing a dual degree in mathematics and finance at Carthage College, Kenosha, Wisconsin, set to graduate in May 2027. This will be his second summer interning at Abbott Laboratories as a financial analyst. 
• Sarah Wells, a finance and accounting major at Indiana University Bloomington, expected to graduate in spring 2027. This summer she will be working as a commercial tax intern at Baker Tilly.