Welcome and Introductions
James Cress, Vice President & General Manager, Flex Financial, Stryker, ELFA Board Chair

Keynote: Future Ready Inclusion
Raven Solomon, Futurist, Global Inclusion Thought-Leader, and Nationally Recognized Certified Speaking Professional (CSP)

In today's competitive landscape, personal branding isn't just about self-promotion—it's about authenticity, clarity, and alignment. This interactive professional development workshop guides participants through the foundational step of building a strong personal brand: identifying and articulating their core values. Through guided reflection, practical exercises, and group discussion, participants will uncover the values that drive their decisions, shape their behaviors, and influence how they are perceived by others. By the end of the session, attendees will have a clearer understanding of how to align their personal values with their professional goals to build a brand that is both genuine and impactful.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover and define your core personal values
• Understand the role of values in shaping your personal and professional identity
• Learn how to communicate your values as part of your personal brand
• Gain tools to align your brand with your long-term career vision

Whether you're a rising professional, a leader, or someone exploring new directions, this workshop will help you build a personal brand rooted in authenticity and purpose.

Megan Stewart, Founder, Spark Couching

Sponsored by the Emerging Leaders Subcommittee

Inspired by The Princess Bride and backed by behavioral science, this inclusive leadership session invites participants to move beyond surface-level diversity initiatives and into the heart of what truly drives engagement—belonging. With wit, heart, and plenty of movie references, this session explores how different characters—Fezzik's strength, Inigo's comeback story, Westley's loyalty—mirror the strengths and growth journeys of real teams. Participants will uncover:

• The difference between inviting diversity and cultivating inclusion
• Practical behaviors that promote psychological safety and trust
• How to co-create a "village charter" of belonging and shared values

This session isn't just about checking boxes—it's about helping every voice say, and hear, "As you wish"—a phrase that signals respect, partnership, and care. Leaders leave with tools to foster belonging, unlock team potential, and build cultures where people stay, play, and thrive.

Hilary Bilbrey, Co-Founder, PEQ Performance Consulting

Sponsored by the Women's Subcommittee

In today's competitive environment, success depends on more than just results—it's about how you present yourself, communicate your value, and navigate critical conversations. In this fast-paced, interactive session, you'll learn how to promote yourself without sounding self-absorbed, negotiate with confidence using proven frameworks, and enhance your leadership presence through emotional intelligence. Whether you're looking to sharpen your personal brand, advocate for your worth, or elevate your influence, this session will equip you with practical tools to lead like a pro.

Chris McDonell, President and CEO, McDonell Consulting Group

Sponsored by the Emerging Leaders Subcommittee

Crippling burnout. Chronic absenteeism. Rampant resignations. The multi-headed monster of compassion fatigue, longer working days and employee isolation are damming up the rivers of productivity at thousands of companies, and employers are concerned. Leveraging insights from his own decade-long mental health journey, Johnny Crowder shows audiences why talking about mental health should be as straightforward as talking about physical health, even in the workplace. And he shares the hard-won strategies for emotional wellbeing that led to the creation of his science-based breakthrough mental and emotional support app, Cope Notes, which is now in use in more than 90 countries.

Johnny Crowder, Founder and CEO, Cope Notes

Sponsored by the Inclusion Education and Resources Subcommittee

You don't need a title to be a leader. The strongest organizations are built by people who lead with purpose—whether they sit in the C-suite or on the front lines. This session helps attendees rethink what it means to lead and empowers them to influence culture, engagement, and results from wherever they are. Amy Pechacek will guide participants through stories and strategies that inspire bold ownership, intentional leadership, and a mindset shift that transforms "just doing the job" into making a lasting impact.

Amy Peckachek, Founder, Alpstra & Co. 

Sponsored by the Women's Subcommittee

In leadership, we often strive to be the hero—but the greatest leaders are guides. In this engaging and energizing session, emerging leaders will learn to frame their personal stories not as highlight reels but as powerful tools for connection, influence, and inspiration. Using Donald Miller's StoryBrand framework and examples from pop culture and business, participants will explore how to tell their stories with clarity, vulnerability, and purpose. They'll walk away with:

• A defined leadership narrative they can use in interviews, presentations, or team building
• Confidence in using story as a bridge to trust
• A shift in mindset from being the star to being the catalyst for others' success

Because great leaders don't need the lightsaber to shine—they hand it to others.

Hilary Bilbrey, Co-Founder, PEQ Performance Consulting

Sponsored by the Emerging Leaders Subcommittee

Excellent communication skills are at the heart of successful leaders and organizations. Without proper communication, teams are riddled with conflict, people are misunderstood, progress is stalled, and productivity and revenue are not optimized. In this engaging one-hour workshop, you'll discover how understanding different communication styles can dramatically enhance your effectiveness, build stronger relationships, and minimize misunderstandings at work. Through interactive exercises and real-world examples, you'll quickly identify your own communication style and learn practical strategies for adapting to others. Walk away ready to connect, influence, and lead with greater clarity and confidence. Participants are invited to participate in an optional webinar that will include a self-assessments and additional learning and exploration.

Anna Conrad, CEO, Impact Leadership Solutions

Sponsored by the Women's Subcommittee

In a world full of polished personas and leadership buzzwords, the most influential leadersstand out by simply being real. Authenticity isn't a soft skill—it's a strategic advantage. This session unpacks how staying true to your values and leading with purpose creates lastingimpact, deeper trust, and stronger influence. Led by Amy Pechacek, this talk inspires leaders at every level to shift from performance to presence—tapping into who they are to lead with greater confidence, clarity, and connection.

Amy Peckachek, Founder, Alpstra & Co. 

Sponsored by the Women's Subcommittee

Taniyka Mobley Ph.D.

Sponsored by the Inclusion Education and Resources Subcommittee

Daryl Muller, COO, ELFA

Sponsored by the Emerging Leaders Subcommittee

You are tasked with leading a new initiative. But how do you effectively implement it to achieve the intended impact. In this session, we will take part in a hypothetical change effort implementing an engaging initiative designed to maximize available talent. Participants will use a tool grounded in organization development which will guide them through a step-by-step approach to achieve the desired results.

Dr. Phillip L. Ealy, Ph.D., Co-Founder and VP of Operations, Ealy Hopkins Consulting Group, LLC 

Sponsored by the Inclusion Education and Resources Subcommittee

Are you your harshest critic? Do your doubts and fears stop you from speaking up? Are you able to sound and look confident without feeling like an imposter? There is no doubt that confidence is critical to success. But confidence is like walking a tightrope: too little, and you have no credibility; too much, and you are seen as arrogant. Striking the right balance is a critical—and often elusive—skill. This highly engaging and informative session provides participants with an understanding of what makes someone feel and appear confident and specific tools to get there.

Anna Conrad, CEO, Impact Leadership Solutions

Sponsored by the Women's Subcommittee

Near Term Economic Outlook for the Equipment Finance Industry
What is the state of the U.S. economy heading into the second half of the year, and how will the equipment finance industry be affected? This presentation will provide the latest industry-relevant economic data and summarize the key headwinds, tailwinds, and factors to watch in the U.S. economy.

Ricky Rios, CEO & Chairman of the Board, Commercial Equipment Finance, Inc.
Mariah Coughlin, Senior Economist, Keybridge

Since the COVID pandemic, work environments have dramatically changed. Many organizations are undergoing a significant transformation, with hybrid work models becoming increasingly prevalent. In today's modern workplace, maintaining a strong and positive workplace culture is essential to attracting and retaining top talent, driving productivity, and ensuring seamless client service. This session addresses key strategies and actionable insights necessary to foster a thriving organizational culture in an evolving hybrid environment. We will explore:

1. Optimizing Communication Techniques for fostering clear, consistent, and inclusive communication across remote and in-office teams, minimizing silos and maximizing information flow.
2. Building Trust and Psychological Safety Practical methods for establishing a foundation of trust, empowering employees to contribute openly, and fostering a sense of belonging regardless of location.
3. Promoting Collaboration and Innovation Tools and techniques to facilitate seamless collaboration, encourage creative problem-solving, and maintain a dynamic and innovative work environment.
4. Addressing the Challenges of Remote Engagement Identifying and mitigating the potential for isolation, burnout, and diminished connection in a hybrid workforce.
5. Leading with Empathy and Flexibility How leadership can adapt to the unique needs of a hybrid team, fostering a culture of understanding, respect, and support.

Thomas Barnette, Senior Consultant, inQUEST Consulting

Sponsored by the Inclusion Education and Resources Subcommittee

Join us for a dynamic panel discussion featuring three incredible women from the equipment finance industry. Our panelists will share their unique experiences and strategies for achieving work-life balance. Gain insights into how different career phases present distinct challenges and opportunities for balancing professional and personal life. Learn practical tips and discover how to adapt your approach to work-life balance as your career evolves.

Moderator:
Lauren Baingo, Program Manager, DLL

Panelists:
Jerilyn Nicholsen, Managing Director, Business Development, Pathward
Camtu Vo, Manager of Product Development, DLL
Deb Reuben, CEO & Founder, Tomorrow Zone

Sponsored by the Women's Subcommittee