As we kick off the second half of 2025, the Foundation’s mission to advance the equipment finance industry with programs for next generation talent development and future-focused research and resources is going strong. This year’s Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation Scholarship award recipients have been selected, offering a glimpse into the potential future talent of equipment finance. New studies and podcast episodes are available providing insights for use in your decision making and business strategy.
Scholarship Award Recipients
Ten outstanding students will receive an Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation Scholarship award of $5,000 for the 2025-2026 academic year:
- Noah Brown, an economics major at UCLA with plans to graduate in 2027. He is currently a wealth management intern at Beacon Pointe with an interest in financial strategy and business development.
- Brendan Buchner, a junior at the University of South Carolina. Brendan is studying business administration with a concentration in finance & banking. He is currently an intern at Capteris, working in the large-ticket equipment finance space.
- Quinn Cullinan, studying mathematical finance and quantitative economics and econometrics at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. Set to graduate in 2028, she has participated in programs such as the Goldman Sachs Women's Summit and the Buccino Leadership Institute.
- Chloe Foster, a senior at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania studying finance. She is a recent participant in the CLFP micro-certification program at the university and is currently an intern in DLL’s Healthcare division.
- Geraldine Giordano, a senior at Towson University in Maryland, is studying business administration and finance. With a passion for supply chain and financial analysis, she is excited about the opportunities available in equipment finance.
- Tayte Lecy, a junior studying mathematical finance and business management at Concordia College in Minnesota. Currently a finance intern at Oakmont Capital Services, he is interested in pursuing a career in equipment finance, focusing on credit analysis and risk management.
- Ethan Luxenburg, a senior at the University of Cincinnati, is studying finance. Graduating in 2026, he is interested in the entrepreneurial aspects of the equipment finance industry.
- Gavin Ryan, a junior at Indiana University, studying supply chain, finance, and international business. He is a member of the IU Innovates entrepreneurial club and the Supply Chain and Operations Management Association.
- Simran Sharma, a senior at West Chester University in Pennsylvania. She is majoring in accounting and was a recent participant in the CLFP micro-certification program while attending Lincoln University.
- Ryan Wilson, a senior at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, is studying finance with minors in risk management, banking, and real estate. He also serves as a Ziegler College of Business Learning Community Mentor and is president of the Bloomsburg Real Estate Group. He is currently interning at First National Bank, the largest subsidiary of F.N.B. Corporation.
Launched in 2020 with three initial scholarship awards, the program now offers 10 awards annually and has awarded 36 student scholarships to date. The program is an outgrowth of the success of the Foundation’s Campus to Career Presentation Program in which industry professionals volunteer to lecture at colleges and universities about the equipment finance industry and its possible career paths.
“I’m honored to congratulate this year’s Foundation scholarship recipients, and so pleased that the Foundation can help support them in their academic endeavors,” said Zack Marsh, SVP, Accounting and Analysis, AP Equipment Financing, and Chair of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation. “The Foundation scholarship program is one of the many ways our industry is paying it forward to make a lasting impact on the future. We’re grateful to our generous donors for supporting nextgen talent for our industry.”
New Research & Resources
- “Vertical Market Outlook Series: Healthcare” provides an overview of the U.S. healthcare vertical with a focus on healthcare providers, and addresses topics including macroeconomic factors, technological innovations, and challenges that will impact the sector. It is the 12th release of the Foundation’s forward-looking Vertical Market Outlook Series.
- Equipment Finance Matters podcast Foundation content:
- “Rated for Success: KBRA’s Outlook for Equipment Finance” features Kroll Bond Rating Agency experts with how KBRA evaluates credit ratings for independent, captive, and bank-owned platforms—plus, why diversification and experienced management are crucial for weathering economic shifts and volatility.
- “Trailer Trends: An Outlook on Today and Tomorrow” features Tom Walther, founder and president of Nationwide Equipment, for an insider’s journey through the world of over-the-road trailers.