Washington, D.C., July 27, 2026 – The Equipment Leasing & Finance Association (ELFA) today announced that President and CEO Leigh Lytle will conclude her tenure with the association later this year following the completion of her contract.
Lytle joined ELFA with a clear vision to modernize the organization, strengthen its influence, expand member value, and position the association and broader equipment finance industry for long-term success in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
"The opportunity to lead ELFA has been one of the greatest honors of my career," said Lytle. "I am incredibly proud of what our team, volunteer leaders, and members have accomplished together. We challenged ourselves to think differently, embrace growth, and build an organization positioned for the future. Today, ELFA is stronger, more agile, and more impactful than ever before. I have every confidence in the organization's trajectory and in the talented leadership team that will continue advancing our mission."
During her tenure, Lytle served as a catalyst for growth across the equipment leasing and finance industry, championing innovation and removing operational and regulatory barriers to build a future-ready association. Under her leadership, ELFA secured landmark legislative victories, including permanent 100% expensing, permanent interest deductibility, and critical Section 1071 reforms. She simultaneously transformed ELFA's digital infrastructure, replacing legacy systems with an enterprise member management platform, a redesigned website, and a modernized digital foundation built to streamline operations and enhance engagement.
Additionally, Lytle established ELFA’s first formal research agenda and market intelligence platform, delivering high-impact insights on broader economic trends and positioning the industry as a cornerstone of American economic resilience. She also scaled the association’s reach by opening a new investor membership category, reimagining flagship events, and establishing a strategic affiliation with the Certified Lease & Finance Professional (CLFP) Foundation to empower the industry’s next-generation workforce.
"Leigh was recruited to lead ELFA through a period of significant transformation, and her impact on this organization and the equipment finance industry has been extraordinary," said Deb Baker, Chair of the ELFA Board of Directors. "Under her leadership, ELFA achieved historic advocacy victories, expanded its influence and visibility, strengthened member engagement, modernized its infrastructure and operations, and positioned the association for long-term success. Leigh leaves ELFA stronger, more influential, and better prepared for the future than when she arrived."
The ELFA Board of Directors has begun succession planning and will provide additional updates as appropriate.
About ELFA
The Equipment Leasing & Finance Association (ELFA) represents financial services companies and manufacturers in the $1.3 trillion U.S. equipment finance sector. ELFA’s over 600 member companies provide essential financing that helps businesses acquire the equipment they need to operate and grow. Learn how equipment finance contributes to businesses’ success, U.S. economic growth, manufacturing and jobs at www.elfaonline.org.
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Media Contact: Jane Esworthy, VP, Communications & Marketing, ELFA, [email protected]
