Kirsten Fleming has dedicated more than two decades to building operational excellence, with the last 12 years spent shaping the U.S. presence of Alfa. As Director of U.S. Operations, she oversees a broad portfolio including corporate governance, procurement, HR operations projects, marketing and events management. What sets her apart is her ability to combine strategic execution with genuine care for people, creating frameworks that deliver results while empowering others to lead.
Her career with Alfa began in Australia, where she developed the skills and global perspective that would later prove essential when she moved to the U.S. to establish Alfa’s American operations. In this role, she has navigated everything from multi-state corporate registrations and immigration compliance to building strong supplier relationships. Her success stems from a unique balance of big-picture vision and people-first leadership, ensuring Alfa’s rapid growth in the U.S. rests on strong operational foundations.
Over the past year, Fleming has focused on strengthening company culture in a hybrid environment. She spearheaded Alfa’s Events and Culture initiative, which introduced online town halls for transparency and information sharing, while reserving in-person gatherings for collaboration and relationship building. This approach kept employees connected, engaged and aligned with Alfa’s values regardless of where they worked.
Her commitment to people extends beyond operations. Fleming served as Chair of the Global Alfa Women’s Community for two years, championing gender equity and mentoring emerging leaders. Though her formal term ended, she remains an active committee member because she believes in the lasting importance of creating inclusive spaces. As part of Alfa’s Global People and Culture Leadership team, she ensures values are not just spoken but lived daily.
Fleming is also deeply connected to the equipment finance industry. This year she at tended the ELFA Power of People Summit, an experience that energized her and reaffirmed her passion for bringing diverse communities together. For Fleming, collaboration — whether within Alfa or across the industry — is a defining feature of her leadership style.
Her colleagues recognize her impact. “Kirsten is at the forefront of Alfa’s U.S. expansion and marketing efforts,” says Rich Dewire, Chief Revenue Officer at Alfa. “She is an inspirational leader with a talent for building meaningful relationships and spotting potential challenges before they arise. Her leadership was essential to our expansions into Canada and Latin America, where her attention to compliance and immigration requirements ensured success. Kirsten is the ultimate safe pair of hands and a huge asset to our team.”
With her focus on building systems that serve people, mentoring future leaders and fostering an inclusive culture, Fleming has cemented her role as a standout leader in equipment finance. Her contributions continue to shape Alfa’s growth while leaving a lasting imprint on the people and communities she serves.
“Embrace every challenge as a growth opportunity and never underestimate the power of authentic relationships. Success isn’t just about what you accomplish — it’s about how you lift others up along the way. Be curious, stay adaptable and remember that your unique perspective is exactly what this industry needs to evolve and thrive.”
– Kirsten Fleming
