ELFA releases Schedule for 2023 Women's Leadership Forum

The 2023 ELFA Women's Leadership Conference agenda was released by the Equipment Leasing and Financing Association. It will take place April 3–4, 2023, at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago. 

The two-day conference, which is being hosted by the ELFA Women's Council, will emphasize leadership training for women in equipment financing at all career phases. Keynote speakers, trending sessions, and interactive networking opportunities will all be on the schedule and centred on the subject of "Leading with Your Whole Self."

Michelle Speranza, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at LEAF Commercial Capital and chair of the ELFA's Women's Council, said, "Over the course of two days at the Women's Leadership Forum, we'll cover compelling benefits for leaders who choose to bring everything they are to their work and how the right approach to making this important change can make any leader better”. 

"We'll also discuss ways to improve connections across teams, increase empathy in leadership, and foster truly inclusive work settings. We hope you'll join us on April 3–4 to learn and network, whether you're new to equipment finance or an experienced leader”.

The ELFA Women's Leadership Conference in 2023 will have the following highlights:

• Interview with Sara Holtz, author of "Career Lessons from 100 Successful Women," and former vice president of a Fortune 500 company. Participants will learn the information they may use to advance their professions. 
• Melinda Briana Epler, a writer, and TED talk presenter will give the keynote address on "Leading with Empathy and Allyship." Participants will leave with concrete suggestions about how to improve their roles as allies and advocates at work.
• Equipment finance executives shared their perspectives from their routes to success, including lessons gained and errors made, at an executive leader panel on "Leading with Your Whole Self."
• Glenn Jackson, the chief diversity officer of M&T Bank, will lead an interactive discussion on "Inclusive Leadership." Participants will learn methods for developing an environment that brings forth the best in them and their teams.
• Managing Work/Life Integration: Participants can take part in an open conversation about balancing conflicting expectations and preventing burnout with a varied group of equipment finance executives.
• Many chances to network, including a luncheon with interactive networking, a cocktail reception, a fun stroll, a yoga session, dining out, and more.

The following people are part of the 2023 ELFA Women's Council, which organizes and manages the Women's Leadership Forum:

• Michelle Speranza – Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, LEAF Commercial Capital (Chair)
• Tara Aasand – Vice President of Sales and Relationship Management, LTi Technology Solutions
• Lauren Baingo – Program Manager, DLL
• Deborah Baker – Head of Worldwide Leasing and Financing, HP
• Jerrie Carter – Retail Credit Manager, Volvo Financial Services
• Jacquie Cripe – CLFP, Group Lead, Mitsubishi HC Capital America
• Alexandra Dressman – CLFP, Counsel-Senior/Assistant Vice President, Huntington Equipment Finance
• Leigh Ann Fagan – Senior Vice President and Controller, McKinley Scientific
• Jennifer Fanz – National Sales Manager, Healthcare, PEAC Solutions
• Margaret Gutierrez – Senior Vice President and Corporate Credit Officer, Key Equipment Finance
• Kirsten Hawkins – Director of Marketing, SCJ Commercial Financial Services
• Maggie Holly – CLFP, Credit and Operations Manager and Senior Vice President, Hanmi Bank
• Aimee Jackson – Account Management Supervisor, Great American Insurance Group
• Sharon McGarvey – Business Development Manager, Odessa
• Alisa Micarelli – Senior Vice President of Operations, PNC Equipment Finance
• Kelsey Musich – Customer Care Manager, Amur Equipment Finance
• Jerilyn Nicholsen – Vice President of Strategic Accounts – Finance, Bankruptcy, and Solvency, Ritchie Bros.
• Carla Potter – Lawyer, Cassels Brock & Blackwell
• Shirley Pridgen – Collections and Customer Service Manager, Toyota Industries Commercial Finance
• Kim Riggs-Mounger – CLFP, Vice President of Business Development, Orion First Financial
• Catherine Roddick – Lead Relationship Manager, Farm Credit Leasing (Chair-Elect)
• Jeff Schmidt – Director of Commercial Lending, CNH Industrial Capital
• Shae Watson – Area Manager, Caterpillar Financial Services
• Donna Yanuzzi – Senior Vice President and Director of Equipment Finance, 1st Equipment Finance