When did you first join the equipment finance industry and what has been the trajectory of your career?
I joined the equipment finance industry in 2006 at age 22, starting at Key Equipment Finance in a data entry role, processing faxed applications. My career progressed through operations, direct sales in Key’s footprint, and healthcare vendor finance into the early 2010s. I participated in a bank-sponsored rotational program, spending time in credit and leveraged buyouts in investment banking. After the program, I returned to the equipment finance group support business developmentin technology and industrial. In 2018, I joined Huntington Technology Finance (HTF), first in business development and then transitioning to a manager role. I currently manage our vendor healthcare and technology teams as well as our franchise business.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your own professional development? How did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge was joining a rotational program that placed me in a credit role misaligned with my sales strengths. After years of climbing the ranks in banking, I was back at the bottom, which was humbling and difficult. However, it taught me resilience and exposed me to new areas like credit analysis and cross-bank collaboration. I overcame these challenges by embracing the learning opportunity, building relationships with diverse teams, and using the experience to transition into a stronger business development role. This experience, while not the path I initially envisioned for myself, broadened my perspective and put me in a position to learn from talented professionals across different departments and skill sets.
When did you first get involved with ELFA and how have you been engaged as a member? How has being in ELFA helped your career?
I first attended ELFA’s Capitol Connections event about 15 years ago. I became actively involved after joining Huntington in 2018. I served on the Bank Business Council Steering Committee for six years and now contribute to the Vendor and Captive Committee and Membership Committee. ELFA has been instrumental in expanding my network, sharpening my leadership skills, and keeping me informed on industry trends. Engaging with peers and mentoring emerging talent through ELFA events has enhanced my visibility and effectiveness as a leader at HTF.
What is the most rewarding risk of your career?
Joining the rotational program was the most rewarding risk. Moving from a successful sales role to credit analysis was daunting, but it transformed my career. Exposure to new disciplines within investment banking and teams gave me a deeper understanding of finance and strengthened my ability to structure complex deals, paving the way for my leadership role at HTF.
How do you keep your team motivated despite conflicts and obstacles that you come across?
I keep my team motivated by being honest, transparent, and vulnerable. I own my mistakes and share personal experiences to build trust and inspire resilience. I try to foster a collaborative environment by empowering my team to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and stay focused on our shared goals. I hope my openness helps create a culture where everyone feels valued and supported, even during conflicts or industry pressures.
If you had to pick one, which is more important when considering a hire—a soft or technical background? You can’t pick both, and please include which soft or technical skill is most beneficial to success.
Embrace every opportunity, even those that feel uncomfortable. Learn from all leaders—positive or challenging—to build resilience and adaptability. Stay curious, prioritize relationships, and view obstacles as growth opportunities. Trust the career path’s unfolding, leveraging AI tools to stay competitive and a collaborative culture to foster meaningful connections.
How do you envision the future of your industry, and what steps are you taking—through team culture, personal growth, and mentoring others—to help shape that vision?”
We are traditionally an industry that can be slow to change and slow to implement the newest technologies. I hope the equipment finance industry embraces AI and data analytics to enhance decision-making and efficiency while prioritizing emotional intelligence and diversity. To shape this future, I encourage my team to leverage AI tools and I continue to model a culture of authenticity and vulnerability.