Jacqueline Blanchard has 10 years of industry experience, serving in a variety of different functions including operations, sales, risk, accounting and finance. She currently serves as senior manager, operational excellence and transformation with Meridian OneCap Credit.
At Meridian OneCap, Blanchard has spearheaded the formation of a team dedicated to onboarding new programs and processes, providing guidance for complex transactions and leading initiatives to streamline operations and cross-functional processes. She has also established documentation guidelines and controls, in addition to successfully implementing a syndication desk.
Blanchard is a strong advocate for diversifying the industry by encouraging people from different backgrounds to explore new directions within it. “This is a tight-knit industry,” Blanchard says. “Everyone knows each other and once you’re in, you stay in.”
She notes that this creates an “echo chamber” of like-minded individuals which, in turn, leaves the industry in danger of getting stuck in certain ways of thinking and approaches to industry processes. “This makes it hard for established industry players to innovate, and, right now, we’re in an era where we’re all looking to revolutionize our business,” Blanchard says.
Regarding diversity, Blanchard acknowledges significant progress within the industry, but stresses that much more needs to be done, particularly at the leadership level. She believes that women and people of color bring vital perspectives and approaches that can drive the innovation the industry seeks.
As an advocate for industry professionals speaking up and sharing their ideas, Blanchard believes even the smallest change can have a major impact on the industry. “I encourage people to question the status quo and implement their own solutions,” Blanchard says.
Additionally, Blanchard sees an opportunity to leverage technology to revolutionize the industry’s operations. She envisions a future where technology eliminates mundane tasks and transforms jobs into roles that are more interesting and dynamic.
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