Innovation Lab Conference & Exhibition

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

(Proud Partner of Vanderbilt Children’s)

 Join us for a meaningful, hands-on experience that blends creativity, compassion, and impact. In partnership with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, attendees will create “Hero” friendship bracelets inspired by Taylor Swift and write uplifting notes of encouragement for children receiving care at the hospital - simple acts designed to deliver hope, joy, and strength when it’s needed most.

Each table will be fully stocked with everything needed to participate and the experience will be complemented by a short Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals video, highlighting the powerful impact these small gestures can make for kids and families—and how, together, we can help create moments of courage and connection.

Opening
Chelsey Barron, LEAF Commercial Capital Inc., Chair, ELFA Innovation Committee

Pillars for ELFA in 2026
Deborah Baker, VP, Global Payment Solutions, HP Inc., ELFA Chair of the Board

Keynote Presentation 
Beyond the GPT: From Prompts to Strategy and Scale
Paul Zikopoulos, VP of Technology Group Skills Vitality & Enablement, IBM

An unfortunate truth: every day, employees walk by problems that could be solved—or at least improved—with technology. But do they even know those problems are solvable? What would a business look like if everyone was empowered to act because they knew solutions were within reach? That’s the opportunity AI is opening up. 

This isn’t AI 101. It’s a front-row seat where execution, strategy, and humor collide. And perhaps the most important shift: the knowledge you need to move from +AI (where AI is bolted onto existing workflows) to AI+ (where workflows are re-designed with AI at the core). That’s how organizations change the curve. This talk shows exactly how to make that leap.

Sponsored by:

Join us for a dynamic conversation with Wayne Super of Cisco Capital, 2025 ELFA Innovation Award runner up, for a practical look at what happens after their award win. Wayne will discuss how AI initiatives have evolved since the award, the new opportunities Cisco Capital is exploring, tangible results, lessons learned, and how upskilling teams in prompt literacy helped drive adoption, shift responsibilities, and unlock new use cases across the business. This session offers a candid look at what it really takes to operationalize AI inside an established organization. Participants will walk away with practical insights into scaling AI beyond the pilot stage, and key considerations for organization-wide readiness.

Wayne Super, Cisco Corporation
Andrew Cotter, Somerset Capital Group, Ltd.
Christine Evershed, John Deere Financial
Moto Tohda, Tokyo Century
Sarah Tezuka, Solifi
Daniel Gonzalez, FIS

As artificial intelligence continues to absorb repetitive and rules-based work, the role of people in equipment finance is rapidly evolving. The future workforce will not compete with AI; it will collaborate with it. This session explores how leaders can intentionally prepare for this shift by rethinking how they hire, develop, and retain talent in in a rapidly changing environment.

Through a dynamic panel discussion, participants will examine how AI is reshaping roles across equipment finance, which human skills are becoming more critical, and how organizations can design roles where humans and technology work side by side. The session will also explore strategies for attracting and developing the next generation of professionals and building a sustainable talent pipeline for the future.

This session is designed for operations, customer experience, sales, credit, risk, technology, and people leaders who recognize that while technology enables transformation, people drive in talent. 

Moderators:
Lillian Star, First Citizens Bank
Turner Parlin, Alfa Systems

Speakers:
Sylvi Evans, US Bank
Justin Marovec, John Deere
Loren Arrieta, Caterpillar Financial Services

Our panel of experts will share their insights on how they foster innovation in their organizations. We will discuss the key building blocks for unlocking innovation and hear real word examples of how innovation can drive improvements across the value chain and operation landscape of your company.

Liz Boyd, Gordon Brothers
Mark Blais, Channel
Bill Verhelle, QuickFi
Andrew Flegg, Alfa Financial Software

When Everything Feels Disruptive, What Actually Matters?
Making Sense of Change Without Predicting the Future

ELFA members surfaced powerful signals during ELFA’s 2025 trend scanning work. Now it is time to turn those signals into shared meaning. This session helps you interpret what is emerging across the industry, where readiness looks strong, where it looks uneven, and what deserves leadership attention next.

This is a sense making session, focused on translating insights into practical clarity that you can use right away, while also connecting the dots to ELFA’s evolving research and innovation agenda.

• Spot the themes cutting across tech, regulation, economics, talent, and sustainability
• See where leadership confidence is strong, and where readiness gaps are slowing progress
• Take home sharp language and ready to use prompts for exec, peer, and cross functional conversations
• Understand how ELFA will turn these signals into research, programming, and Innovation Lab priorities

Moderator:
Deb Reuben, TomorrowZone

Panelists:
Deb Baker, HP Inc., ELFA Chair of the Board
Bill Verhelle, QuickFi
Steve Taplin, Lendscape

Underwritten by:

Get ready for a dynamic and engaging session where our exhibitors take the stage for rapid-fire presentations designed to grab your attention and spark your curiosity. Each exhibitor has just a few minutes to showcase their most compelling innovations, solutions, and value propositions - giving you a quick and entertaining way to discover what they have to offer. Whether you're scouting for new partners, exploring cutting-edge technologies, or just love a good pitch, this is your chance to identify exhibitors you want to connect with further. Quick. Informative. Fun. You won’t want to miss it!

Is this your first ELFA conference? Come meet fellow First Timers and the conference planning committee at this reception specifically for First Time Attendees. 

All attendees are invited to connect and unwind at this fantastic reception. Exhibit tables will be open and you will have some time to stop by and chat. Lite fare will be served with an open bar. This event is included with all conference registrations. 

Evening is open for private dinners.

Lace up and join us for a refreshing, high-energy start to your morning! Led by a local fitness pro, this fun walk will take you on a scenic, energizing route designed to get your blood pumping and your mind ready for the day ahead. Afterward, enjoy post-workout refreshments and connect with fellow attendees in a relaxed, feel-good atmosphere. It’s the perfect way to jumpstart your day - and your networking! NO EXTRA FEE to attend this event. 

Tim Mahedy is the founder of Access/Macro, a macroeconomic consulting firm delivering actionable insights to financial institutions and businesses. With experience at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, KPMG, Bloomberg, and the IMF, Tim has advised Fortune 500 leaders and policymakers alike. Known for making complex economic trends accessible and relevant, Tim specializes in inflation, monetary policy, and strategic forecasting. At this year’s event, he’ll provide a forward-looking view of the 2026 - 2027 economic outlook and what it means for your business.

Opening
Chelsey Barron, Chair, ELFA Innovation Committee, LEAF Commercial Capital Inc.

Keynote Presenter
Tim Mahedy, Economist 

Underwritten by:

Leigh Lytle, President & CEO, ELFA
Andrew Flegg, Chief Technology Officer, Alfa

Underwritten by:

Presenters:

Daryl Muller, COO & Corporate Secretary, ELFA
Kelli Nienaber, Executive Director, ELF Foundation

Get ready for a dynamic and engaging session where our exhibitors take the stage for rapid-fire presentations designed to grab your attention and spark your curiosity. Each exhibitor has just a few minutes to showcase their most compelling innovations, solutions, and value propositions - giving you a quick and entertaining way to discover what they have to offer. Whether you're scouting for new partners, exploring cutting-edge technologies, or just love a good pitch, this is your chance to identify exhibitors you want to connect with further. Quick. Informative. Fun. You won’t want to miss it!

All conference attendees are invited to enjoy a networking lunch and spark new conversations and connections. Grab a seat and dig into great food while networking with fellow attendees. No additional fee to attend. 

Get ready for a dynamic and engaging session where our exhibitors take the stage for rapid-fire presentations designed to grab your attention and spark your curiosity. Each exhibitor has just a few minutes to showcase their most compelling innovations, solutions, and value propositions - giving you a quick and entertaining way to discover what they have to offer. Whether you're scouting for new partners, exploring cutting-edge technologies, or just love a good pitch, this is your chance to identify exhibitors you want to connect with further. Quick. Informative. Fun. You won’t want to miss it!

This isn't a lecture about what AI might do someday, it's a hands-on session where you'll actually use it. Whether you've been experimenting with AI daily or haven't touched it yet, this workshop meets you where you are. You'll work directly with AI tools using real (non-proprietary) scenarios, see how it can simplify the work you're already doing - research, analysis, presentations, communication - and walk away knowing exactly how to put it to use when you get back to your desk. The final portion of the session will go deeper for those ready to explore more advanced capabilities and integration concepts - buckle up! Bring your laptop or phone, an open mind, and a willingness to be surprised by what's possible.

Nick Pericle, Founder & CEO of Tenexity

What does true innovation look like in practice? Join us for an engaging fireside chat featuring past recipients of the Excellence in Innovation Award and the Operations and Technology Excellence Award - organizations whose ideas and initiatives have set new standards for what’s possible in equipment finance.

Moderated by Innovation Committee Chair-Elect Shelly Tauer (U.S. Bank), this candid conversation will explore the stories behind the recognition: the challenges faced, the risks taken, and the real-world impact of their innovation journeys. 

This energizing session will also mark the official kickoff of the 2026 award season, making it the perfect moment to get inspired, start thinking about your own innovation story, and learn what it takes to stand out in the year ahead.

Join Conference Chair Chelsey Barron as she brings the event to a powerful and energizing close. This fast-paced wrap-up will connect the dots across the biggest ideas, standout moments, and practical lessons shared throughout the conference - transforming inspiration into clear next steps you can take immediately.

More than a recap, this session is designed to help you translate what you’ve learned into meaningful changes in how you work, lead, and prioritize in a rapidly evolving environment. Expect fresh perspective, renewed motivation, and a set of actionable ways to rethink your approach when you return to the office.

Leave feeling energized, focused, and ready to put new ideas into motion.

Don’t pack up just yet - head upstairs and celebrate with us at The Overlook, the hotel’s rooftop pool deck, for a St. Patrick’s Day send-off you won’t want to miss. Enjoy festive drinks, great music, city views, and one last chance to connect with new friends and colleagues.

Stick around, raise a glass, and end the conference on a high note! And don’t forget to wear GREEN.