Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation Podcast

As part of ELFA's Innovation Experience – a year-round initiative to turn innovative thinking into action – this episode of Equipment Finance Matters features a powerful conversation between Deborah Reuben, CEO and founder of TomorrowZone and Jen Martin, Chief Product Officer at LTi Technology Solutions. Jen shares her unique leadership journey, shaped by her experience as a child of deaf adults, and how it fostered the communication, empathy, and curiosity that fuel her bold approach to innovation. Listeners will gain insights into how Jen embraces experimentation, reframes failure, and makes space for emerging talent in the industry. You'll also hear how she evolved from a tactical doer to a strategic leader—and why “innovation bacon” is more than just a catchy phrase. Packed with relatable stories and actionable ideas, this episode will inspire you to lead with both vision and vulnerability. This conversation kicks off ELFA's special Innovation Series, spotlighting bold ideas and forward-thinking leaders driving meaningful change across equipment finance. Up next: Mark Blais, Chief Information Officer at Channel Partners LLC, explores how leaders can foster sustainable innovation in the finance industry, balancing experimentation with strategic business goals and ensuring security along the way. P.S. Don't miss the Innovation Lab Conference and Exhibition, taking place September 8-10 in Denver! It's your chance to explore what's next in equipment finance and connect with forward-thinking leaders driving innovation across the industry. Subscribe to Equipment Finance Matters on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/equipment-finance-matters/id1500464877 or Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/43fGGQcByxbRTRKhbBfyJk?si=244H1nvDQ4Os5aw6PzmJug&nd=1&dlsi=22b930df245e44cd

Join Kelli Nienaber in conversation with Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) experts Van Hesser, Joanne DeSimone, and Mike Dodge, as they unpack the latest trends and challenges shaping the $1 trillion equipment finance industry. Hear expert perspectives on 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.

In this Vertical Series episode of Equipment Finance Matters, co-hosts Kelli Nienaber, Foundation Executive Director and Will Tefft, Asset Manager at EverBank Commercial Asset Finance sit down with Wade Whitenburg, Strategic Accounts Manager at Ritchie Brothers. They explore the expansive construction equipment market, valued over $90 billion. Learn about the unique challenges and opportunities in construction finance, including the importance of equipment classification, market stability post-COVID, and industry trends like emissions regulation. Wade shares invaluable advice for lenders, emphasizing the crucial role of understanding asset details and return provisions.

Welcome to the first episode of Equipment Finance Matters in 2025 – it's bursting with optimism and excitement as Alexa welcomes ELFA Board Chair and Vice President and General Manager at Flex Financial, Stryker, James Cress. Hear about James' journey through ELFA, from attending events like Capitol Connections to helping form initiatives like the Emerging Talent Advisory Council and the Women's Council. James shares insights on the industry's momentum and how new CEO Leigh Lytle's vision is pushing boundaries. Plus, you'll enjoy fun, personal tidbits like the first piece of equipment James ever financed and his dream skill to master.  For questions or comments: acarnibella@elfaonline.org  To read James' interview in the January/February issue of the Equipment Leasing & Finance magazine, go to: https://www.elfaonline.org/news-and-publications/magazine/issue/article/jan-feb-2025/paying-it-forward  Subscribe to Equipment Finance Matters on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/equipment-finance-matters/id1500464877 or Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/43fGGQcByxbRTRKhbBfyJk?si=244H1nvDQ4Os5aw6PzmJug&nd=1&dlsi=22b930df245e44cd

Kelli and Alexa, hosts of the two shows, announce the merge of the two podcasts and the move of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Podcast to Equipment Finance Matters.  Subscribe to Equipment Finance Matters on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/equipment-finance-matters/id1500464877  or Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/43fGGQcByxbRTRKhbBfyJk?si=244H1nvDQ4Os5aw6PzmJug&nd=1&dlsi=22b930df245e44cd 

Podcast co-hosts Kelli Nienaber and Will Tefft are joined by Shannon Stangl of DLL to discuss the current and future outlook for the office and workplace segment of the industry. Listen in to learn more about this space including emerging technologies and increased interest in sustainability trends and how equipment can be fit for the future.

In this episode of Equipment Finance Matters, hosts Alexa Carnibella and Matt Vazzana sit down with Jayma Sandquist, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for John Deere Financial, as she shares invaluable insights on career development. Listeners will gain a deep understanding of the importance of goal setting, how to balance long term career aspirations with short term business objectives, and the critical role of feedback. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just beginning your career, this episode offers a wealth of inspiration and actionable advice.

Bobby Sandlin, Senior Appraiser and leader of the Transportation Division at Irontrax, joins podcast co-hosts Kelli Nienaber and Will Tefft to discuss the current and future outlook for Over the Road Trucking through the lens of equipment leasing and finance. Listen in as they talk about topics from inventory and remarket valuation to emissions and alternative fuel.   

In this episode, we delve into the essential qualities that drive success in emerging talent. Drawing from extensive experience in mentoring and leadership, Leigh Lytle, ELFA President and CEO, shares valuable insights on the importance of curiosity and openness to feedback. Discover how a relentless hunger for knowledge and self-improvement can propel your career forward and learn the transformative power of receiving candid feedback from trusted sources. Join us for an engaging conversation on nurturing self-driven growth and achieving greatness in your professional journey.

Diane Croessmann of The Alta Group joins host Kelli Nienaber for this episode of the Foundation Podcast.  Listen in as they unpack the details of EaaS business models, including risk management.  These EaaS offerings are in demand by customers and it's important to understand how they are structured, what pitfalls to avoid and how traditional funders might find new opportunities.

In the fourth and final part of “Debunking Assumptions Through the Asian American Perspective”, our guests share inspirational stories of support, solidarity and growth.  This special series is brought to you by the ELFA Equity Committee in celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. Featuring: Debbie Devassy-Babu, Moderator, Equity Committee Member, Shareholder at Darcy & Devassy https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-devassy-babu-377937/    Moto Tohda, Moderator, Equity Committee Member, VP of Information Systems at Tokyo Century USA https://www.linkedin.com/in/moto-tohda-emba-clfp-a520521/    Xiang Ji, Senior Manager, Commercial and Vendor Risk Management, Toyota Industries Commercial Finance https://www.linkedin.com/in/jixiang/   Kyin Lok, CEO, Dext Capital https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyin-lok-19a6504/    Kinna Pattani, Equity Committee Member,  Associate Director, Alfa https://www.linkedin.com/in/kinnapattani/    Camtu Vo, Manager, Product Development - N.A., Food & Agriculture, DLL https://www.linkedin.com/in/camtu-vo-3143806b/  Resources mentioned in this episode: Advocacy organization: Asian Americans Advancing Justice https://www.advancingjustice-aajc.org/

In Part 3 of Voices United: Debunking Assumptions Through the Asian American Perspective, guests share their personal experiences facing adversity and talk about the impact of unconscious bias. This podcast is part of the ELFA Equity Committee's celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, which recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. Featuring: Debbie Devassy-Babu, Moderator, Equity Committee Member, Shareholder at Darcy & Devassy https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-devassy-babu-377937/ Moto Tohda, Moderator, Equity Committee Member, VP of Information Systems at Tokyo Century USA https://www.linkedin.com/in/moto-tohda-emba-clfp-a520521/ Xiang Ji, Senior Manager, Commercial and Vendor Risk Management, Toyota Industries Commercial Finance https://www.linkedin.com/in/jixiang/ Kyin Lok, CEO, Dext Capital https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyin-lok-19a6504/ Kinna Pattani, Equity Committee Member, Associate Director, Alfa https://www.linkedin.com/in/kinnapattani/ Camtu Vo, Manager, Product Development - N.A., Food & Agriculture, DLL https://www.linkedin.com/in/camtu-vo-3143806b/ Resources mentioned in this episode:Report: Asian Americans' experiences with discrimination in their daily lives, Pew Research Center https://www.pewresearch.org/race-ethnicity/2023/11/30/asian-americans-experiences-with-discrimination-in-their-daily-lives/  

In Part 2 of Voices United: Debunking Assumptions Through the Asian American Perspective, Xiang Ji, Kyin Lok, Camtu Vo and Kinna Pattani talk with moderators Debbie Devassy-Babu and Moto Tohda about what led them to work in equipment finance, and how their careers have progressed.    This podcast is part of the ELFA Equity Committee's celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, which recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.   Join us each Tuesday in May for a new episode.    Featuring: Debbie Devassy-Babu, Moderator, Equity Committee Member, Shareholder at Darcy & Devassy https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-devassy-babu-377937/  Moto Tohda, Moderator, Equity Committee Member, VP of Information Systems at Tokyo Century USA https://www.linkedin.com/in/moto-tohda-emba-clfp-a520521/  Xiang Ji, Senior Manager, Commercial and Vendor Risk Management, Toyota Industries Commercial Finance https://www.linkedin.com/in/jixiang/ Kyin Lok, CEO, Dext Capital https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyin-lok-19a6504/  Kinna Pattani, Equity Committee Member,  Associate Director, Alfa https://www.linkedin.com/in/kinnapattani/  Camtu Vo, Manager, Product Development - N.A., Food & Agriculture https://www.linkedin.com/in/camtu-vo-3143806b/ Resources mentioned in this episode: Foundation's Career Center (https://www.elfaonline.org/people-power/career-center) Cisco's Talent Bridge (https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/partners/tools/talent-bridge/index.html#tabs-69d6a56dd3-item-fdd67b2fb8-tab)

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, recognizing the contributions and influence of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. This four-part series is brought to you by the ELFA Equity Committee and moderated by Debbie Devassy-Babu, Shareholder at Darcy & Devassy, and Moto Tohda, VP of Information Systems at Tokyo Century USA.  Part 1 of the AANHPI Heritage Month series introduces listeners to our four guests as they talk about their unique backgrounds and what brought them to the U.S.  Join us each Tuesday in May for a new episode.   Featuring: Xiang Ji, Senior Manager, Commercial and Vendor Risk Management, Toyota Industries Commercial Financehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jixiang/ Kyin Lok, CEO, Dext Capital https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyin-lok-19a6504/  Kinna Pattani, Associate Director, Alfa https://www.linkedin.com/in/kinnapattani/  Camtu Vo, Manager, Product Development - N.A., Food & Agriculture, DLL https://www.linkedin.com/in/camtu-vo-3143806b/   Resources mentioned in this episode: Article: What does Asian American Pacific Islander Really Mean?: https://www.morningsidecenter.org/teachable-moment/lessons/what-does-asian-american-pacific-islander-really-mean Book: The Making of Asian America: A History by Erika Lee https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23492717-the-making-of-asian-america   Additional resources: The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America's history and are instrumental in its future success. https://www.asianpacificheritage.gov/ 

Join host Matt Vazzana as he talks with Zack Marsh, Chair of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation about the critical resources the Foundation provides and how they can help you stay on the cutting edge throughout your career.  Whether it's the popular U.S. Economic Outlook, Monthly Confidence Index, or the Vertical Market Outlook Series, the Foundation provides the future-focused data specific to the equipment finance industry.  Plus, there is no cost to access Foundation resources - ever.   The Foundation is also charting new territory with its academic outreach programs - from its Campus to Career program designed to introduce students to the industry AND a new partnership with Arizona State University's W.P. Carey School of Business and a first-of-its-kind equipment finance course curriculum. If you're searching for future-focused resources that will enable you to make informed decisions - don't miss this episode! Resources/links: Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation – https://www.leasefoundation.org/  Industry Resources- https://www.leasefoundation.org/industry-resources/home/ including the U.S. Economic Outlook, Monthly Confidence Index, Vertical Market Outlook Series Academic Outreach - https://www.leasefoundation.org/academic-programs/home/ including Campus to Career, Foundation Scholarship Program, ASU W.P. Carey School of Business partnership Kelli Nienaber, Foundation Executive Director – knienaber@leasefoundation.org   ELFA Emerging Talent - https://www.elfaonline.org/industry-topics/emerging-talent Alexa Carnibella – acarnibella@elfaonline.org       

In this episode, Kelli Nienaber and Will Tefft speak with Tom Sager, Vice President at Tech Trade Partners, a subsidiary of Remarkets.  They discuss the prospects for leasing IT equipment (servers, storage, networking, computers, mobile devices, and printers) including market size, maintenance, and value retention as well as new opportunities for AI hardware and data protection.

In this episode, Rob Boyer, ELFA Board Chair and President of First Commonwealth Equipment Finance, talks about his vision for the upcoming year, including taking ELFA to the next level alongside ELFA's new President & CEO Leigh Lytle.  Rob also talks about a pivotal decision that impacted his career trajectory, his top pieces of advice, and the value of education as new talent joins the industry.  We also talk about a cool way he recently used ChatGPT and how in his college days he could write a paper in 6 hours or less!   Mentioned in this episode: Career Pathways - https://www.elfaonline.org/career-pathways ELFA Online Learning - https://www.elfaonline.org/education-networking/online-courses  Certified Lease & Finance Professional Designation - https://clfpfoundation.org/  In podcast news - Emerging Talent Advisory Council Chair Matt Vazzana will join the podcast as co-host. The podcast is geared toward the industry's emerging talent, so adding Matt - an actual emerging leader - makes great sense!  Not only is Matt ETAC Chair, he's also a National Account Executive at Huntington Technology Finance AND a CLFP!  You can hear Matt on the next episode (and every episode after that!).   Send your questions or comments to Alexa Carnibella at acarnibella@elfaonline.org.     

In this conversation, Kelli Nienaber is joined by Jeff Jensen of Keybridge Research, Nancy Pistorio of Madison Capital, LLC and Jeff Elliott of Huntington Asset Finance for a discussion about the outlook for the U.S. Economy in 2024 and specifically how the equipment finance industry may be impacted.  The group explores potential opportunities and challenges, shares expert insights, and makes some predictions for the year ahead.

In this episode, Kelli Nienaber speaks with Rick Remiker, Vice Chair at The Alta Group about the State of the Equipment Finance Industry in the several months following the liquidity crisis.  How has the industry changed, lessons learned and what might be on the horizon. For additional information, view the Foundation's Impact Survey.

This episode highlights ELFA's 62nd Annual Convention taking place October 22-24 in Phoenix, Arizona.  Host Alexa Carnibella and ELFA President and CEO Ralph Petta talk about the importance of this year's theme - Future 360.  In today's rapidly-changing world, it's important to keep an eye on the big picture to help your business succeed - EXACTLY what this year's lineup of keynote speakers and breakout sessions are designed to do!  If you're a first-time attendee, don't miss the top advice to get the most out of your convention. You can also give back by participating in the Sunday community service events.  Bonus points if you adopt a dog at the "Build a Doghouse" event!  Before you head to Phoenix, be sure to check out this episode for a sneak peek of what's in store! 

In this episode, Kelli Nienaber and Will Tefft speak with Jim Minchella, president and senior analyst at Micor Analytics. Jim shares his expertise on all things additive manufacutring, commonly known as 3D printing. For more information on this topic, visit 3dprintingindustry.com, tctmagazine.com, or additivemanufacturing.com.

In this episode, hosts Kelli Nienaber and Will Tefft speak with Dennis Rousseau of Aircraft Post to talk all things Corporate Aircraft. 

This is a new series appearing in the Foundation Podcast feed all about different equipment finance market verticals. For the first episode in this new series, Kelli is joined by Will Tefft, Foundation Trustee and SVP Equipment Management at Pacific Western Bank. On this episode, Kelli and Will learn all about the plastic injection molding industry from Ken Heyse, President and Managing Director at Plastics One Asset Advisors, LLC. 

As the Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer for Mitsubishi HC Capital America, Joni Kovac has seen a lot of change over the course of her 20+ years in the industry.  In this episode, I talk with Joni about her career path, her biggest challenges and rewards, her top 3 pieces of advice for equipment finance newbies, and how hiring has (and hasn't!) changed since the pandemic.  Along the way, we talk about what people look for in their jobs (hint: it's in the title), not being afraid to ask questions and why you should NEVER do tae-bo kicks at a work event. 

In this episode, Kelli speaks with David Normandin of Wintrust Specialty Finance and Eli Sethre of Channel about liquidity as it relates to inflation and a possible recession. This episode is a companion to episode 15 on credit, so go back and listen to that one for a full perspective. Additionally, this episode was recorded on the morning of March 10 prior to the changes in the banking industry, so that is not part of this discussion.

In this episode, Kelli speaks with Kevin Prykull, a credit professional with over 30 years of experience in the industry and current adjunct professor at Duquesne University. Kevin shares his insights into credit risks, what a recession may look like, and how younger industry professionals can prepare themselves.

Black History Month is a time to celebrate and honor Black Culture as well as examine the Black experience in the United States. In this episode, our guests talk about what they and their companies are doing not only to recognize and celebrate Black History Month, but to reach BEYOND to create real change in black communities and progress in the equipment finance industry.  Join me and my co-host Eboni Preston-Laurent, ELFA's Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as we talk to Tanisha Gordon-Flowers from Cisco, Joshua Dickens from Arvest Equipment Finance, Lovern Gordon of the Black Equipment Finance Network, and Jene Hill from DLL.  We hope you walk away inspired to join the movement to push the industry forward! To contact today's guests: Tanisha Gordon-Flowers tangordo@cisco.com  Jene Hill HillJM@delagelanden.com Joshua Dickens jdickens@arvest.com  Lovern Gordon info@lovelifenow.org  Eboni Preston-Laurent epreston@elfaonline.org Resources mentioned in this episode Black Equipment Finance Network (BEFN) www.befn.org  Jené Hill Professional Black Girl Instagram @professionalblkgirl Additional Resources National Museum of African American History and Culture https://nmaahc.si.edu/learn/adults NMAAHC adult programs are exceptional for providing immersive and experiential learning. These programs provide broad, intense, and respectful exchanges among presenters, the audience, and museum staff that expand, and refresh our overall knowledge about important figures or moments in African American history. Code Switch Podcast from NPR https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch Hosted by journalists of color, our podcast tackles the subject of race with empathy and humor. We explore how race affects every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, food and everything in between. This podcast makes all of us part of the conversation — because we're all part of the story. Code Switch was named Apple Podcasts' first-ever Show of the Year in 2020.  

You don't want to miss this first episode of 2023 – it's fairly bursting with nuggets of wisdom and sage advice from Bob Neagle, ELFA Board Chair and Finova Capital President and CEO.  Hear how Bob went from a Ph.D. and professorship in 18th century English literature at Loyola University Chicago to the equipment finance industry, and how having supportive mentors and colleagues made all the difference.  You're guaranteed to walk away with advice that can help you in your career.  Recorded on January 4, 2023. For questions or comments: acarnibella@elfaonline.org

In this episode, Kelli sits down with Jeff Jensen of Keybridge Research to discuss what's ahead for the US Economy in 2023.

In this episode, Kelli speaks to Donna Yanuzzi, Director of Equipment Finance, 1st Equipment Finance and Academic Outreach Committee Chair, Nancy Robles, President and Chief Compliance Officer at Eastern Funding and Foundation Trustee, and Jeff Dicosola, Sales Executive at Great American Insurance Group. All three of these industry leaders share their experiences delivering Guest Lectures to colleges and universities all over the US. To learn more about the Guest Lecture Program and deliver your own, visit https://www.leasefoundation.org/academic-programs/guest-lecture-program-2/.

This episode features triple threat Katie Crawford - not only is she Regional Sales Manager at Arvest Equipment Finance, she's a CLFP AND was named one of the Monitor Magazine's 2022 Top 50 Women in Equipment Finance! Join us as we discuss Katie's career path, the biggest (and most rewarding!) risk she has taken in her career, plus three invaluable pieces of advice for emerging leaders in the industry.  Take a listen and you'll see why Katie is a leader to watch!

In this episode, Kelli speaks with Dr. Rob Wescott of Keybridge Research on our current inflationary environment. They also expand on concepts discussed in the Foundation's recent inflation research paper. 

In this episode, Kelli speaks with David Wiener, Managing Director at The Alta Group and Robert Moskovitz, Chief Financial Officer at Verdant Capital about the Foundation's recent Funding Study. David co-authored the study, while Robert is deeply embedded in the funding space as part of an independent commercial equipment finance company.

This episode provides an overview of the business intelligence available from ELFA - now conveniently housed under the Knowledge Hub.  With co-host Ralph Petta, ELFA President and CEO, we asked Jayma Sandquist and Brad Peterson to talk about their "go to" ELFA resources.  Whether you're a long-time user or wondering what information is available, this episode is for you! Access the Knowledge Hub. To download the Foundation's Perfect Storms study, go to the Foundation website and search for Perfect Storms.

Recorded during Black History Month and brought to you by the ELFA Equality Committee, this episode features a candid discussion about the Black experience in the equipment finance industry, led by Sherry Lowe Johnson, ELFA Equality Committee member and VP, General Counsel and Head of Legal for Volvo Construction Equipment.  Sherry asks the thought-provoking questions of fellow guests Christopher Johnson (Pitney Bowes Global Financial Services), Shannon Lawson (Keating Muething & Klekamp) and Eric McGriff (Wintrust Specialty Finance) and the discussion is a must-listen for anyone in the industry.  What progress has our industry made when it comes to Black representation? How must policies change to move from words on paper to actual transformation?  What can Black leaders do to help Black candidates succeed in the workplace?  How can ALL leaders champion diversity and become allies in this effort?  

In this episode, Kelli speaks with Razi Amin, Partner at Aspen Capital Solutions and Patricia Voorhees, Director of Fintech Strategic Consulting and M&A advisory of the Alta Group. Razi and Patricia share their thoughts on the coming advent of ESG and its impact on the equipment finance industry. Patricia and her colleagues at the Alta Group recently co-authored a paper entitled “The ESG Imperative: Understanding the Opportunities for the Equipment Leasing & Finance Industry”, which you can read as a companion to this episode on the Foundation's website leasefoundation.org.

In the first episode of 2022, Mike DiCecco, Executive Managing Director of Huntington Asset Finance, shares his vision for his year as ELFA Board Chair, the benefits of being involved with ELFA, and the challenges and opportunities around the changing workforce.  Mike also discusses his belief that there are no right or wrong decisions in your career development, as long as you learn from them along the way.  There's much more to this conversation, so don't miss it! For questions or comments, email acarnibella@elfaonline.org 

In this episode, Foundation Executive Director Kelli Nienaber is joined by Jeff Jensen, Vice President at Keybridge Research and Ricky Rios, COO of Commercial Finance at CEFI to discuss the 2021 Industry Future Council (IFC) Report, its six trends, and what they mean for the future. The episode also covers the recently released 2022 Economic Outlook report.

This episode highlights ELFA's 60th Annual Convention taking place October 24-26 in San Antonio, Texas. Join host Alexa Carnibella and ELFA President and CEO Ralph Petta as they talk about the importance of this year's theme - reconnect and reunite. Learn about the excellent lineup of keynote speakers and breakout sessions, plus more opportunities than ever to reconnect and reunite with fellow attendees. And it wouldn't be an ELFA convention without the opportunity to give back by participating in the community service events! If you're a first-time attendee, don't miss the top advice to get the most out of your convention, including the "Colleague Connection" program jointly brought to you by the Emerging Talent Advisory Committee (ETAC), Women's Council and Equality Committee.  So - before you reconnect and reunite at the convention, CONNECT to this episode to get a sneak peek at what's in store! See you in San Antonio!

In this episode, Kelli Nienaber speaks with two cybersecurity professionals, Erich Kron of KnowBe4 and Dan Brandt Lautman of Delcor. These conversations build off of the cybersecurity resources shared by the Foundation, with a focus on individual cybersecurity awareness and corporate cybersecurity preparedness.

Inspired by Pride Month, this episode features lobbying and public policy powerhouse Ben Grove, Legislative Director at Thompson Coburn and President of Q Street, the professional nonprofit association of LGBTQ lobbyists and public policy advocates promoting LGBTQ equality and community.  Ben shares how Q Street advances its mission to connect, support, and empower LGBTQ lobbyists and public policy advocates, how LGBTQ ELFA members can effectively speak to government officials, and three things ELFA members can do to support diversity, equity and inclusion for the LGBTQ community in the industry.  This episode is co-hosted by Equality Committee member Stuart Papavassiliou, who shares how and when he became involved with ELFA and with the Equality Committee.  

In this episode, Foundation Executive Director Kelli Nienaber is joined by returning guests Deb Baker of HP, Inc and Brian Madison of TrinityRail Leasing & Management Services. The conversation around returning to the office continues in Part 2 with discussion of the workforce of the future, balancing in-person collaboration with hybrid teams, investment in technology resources, and measuring success in a post-pandemic environment.

This episode is a government relations double-feature with guests Andy Fishburn, VP of Federal Government Relations and Scott Riehl, VP of State Government Relations. Andy Fishburn discusses how the pandemic has changed advocacy, the future of tax policy, updates on Section 1071, this year's Capitol Connections and what ELFA members should be doing to impact policy in Washington. In part two, Scott talks about the state and regulatory threats facing the industry and the issues ELFA is currently focused on. Bonus points if you catch the tidbits about the importance of composting!

A full year after many people shifted to remote work from home during the health pandemic, Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation Executive Director Kelli Nienaber talks with industry leaders about the many considerations companies face when bringing employees back to corporate office spaces. Deb Baker of HP, Inc, Brian Madison of TrinityRail Leasing & Management Services, and Laurie Bakke of Western Equipment Finance share practical experiences of implementing health and safety measures at the office while also balancing flexible options for employees with meeting the evolving needs of customers. Plus, they forecast the return of business travel. This episode is Part 1 of a two-part series.

This episode is all about what's new with the ELFA Women's Council and upcoming Women's Leadership Forum. Join the formidable team of Deb Baker, Chair of the Women's Council and Jen Fanz, Chair of the Women's Leadership Forum, PLUS special co-host Lexie Dressman, Chair of the Emerging Talent Advisory Council. Whether you're male or female, emerging or seasoned talent, this episode has insights for you. This discussion is full of passion and excitement for what's on tap this year - including the launch of a mentoring program, creating opportunities for networking and relationship-building, plus the amazing sessions and speakers at this year's Leadership Forum on April 20.  We also discuss the challenges of the past year and the perks of working from home (hint..it's comfortable pants!)

In this episode we're talking all things sales with Jeff Dicosola, Sales Manager with Great American and Jesse Johnson, VP of Sales and Marketing at JDR Solutions.  The conversation tackles how the pandemic has impacted sales, how to pivot sales strategy when circumstances change, how to stay "top of mind" with current clients and and how to win new clients when you can't visit them. Jeff and Jesse also share their top advice for those who are newer to the industry in sales. Bonus - this episode was video recorded and will be posted to ELFA's website! Resources: Virtual Selling, Jeb Blount High Impact Sales seminar:  https://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/executive-education/individual-programs/executive-programs/salestrat.aspx

In this episode, double-threat Kris Snow, ELFA Board Chair and President of Cisco Capital, discusses why having no fear of failure has played a role in her success, shares the biggest challenge and rewarding risk in her career, and talks about her priorities as ELFA Chair. Along the way, we discuss diversity, inclusion and equity initiatives that all companies can implement and why golf is a sport for people who like a challenge.

In the final episode of 2020, Executive Director Kelli Nienaber discusses recent Foundation releases with Jeff Jensen, Vice President at Keybridge and producer of the popular Economic Outlook series, as well as the Equipment Finance in 2020: Special COVID-19 Impact Issue report. Hear data highlights from these reports, a sneak peek at what to expect for equipment finance in 2021, and much more.

Ricky Rios, COO of Commercial Equipment Finance, Inc. (CEFI) shares the story of the biggest risk he ever took that led to his biggest reward and the importance of working SMARTER, not harder. We also discuss the value in hiring people with a desire to learn and grow, the wealth of information on the ELFA website (www.elfaonline.org) and the benefit of earning the CLFP designation. This interview was conducted on August 24, 2020.

Attention CFOs and Treasurers! In this episode, we offer a temperature reading on the health of the Capital Markets today, exploring how sick the Capital Markets were at the height of this global pandemic, whether structures and collateral pools changed during COVID-19, and much more. Three executives with Capital Markets expertise offer their unique perspectives: Du Trieu, Senior Director, Asset-Backed Securities, Fitch Ratings; Stewart Hayes, Senior Vice President, Lender Finance, Wells Fargo Commercial Capital; and Matthew Goldenberg, Treasurer, Balboa Capital. 

To continue the conversation, we examine the Foundation's newest research resource developed to assess the impact of the pandemic on the equipment finance industry. Host and Foundation Executive Director Kelli Nienaber welcomes guests Tom Ware, President, Tom Ware Advisory Services, LLC and Foundation Research Committee Chair, and Chris Enbom, CLFP, CEO and Chairman, AP Equipment Financing and a member of the Foundation Research Committee in this third podcast release of 2020.