Lara Hernandez’s career in equipment finance spans 25 years, marked by steady advancement, resilience and a commitment to integrity. Today, she serves as Vice President of Operations at Kapitus Equipment Finance, where she leads the operational arm of a division that has quickly established itself as a trusted direct lender in the equipment finance marketplace.
Hernandez began her journey at First Sierra, later moving to Ascentium Capital, where she gained broad experience across credit and vendor risk management. With the guidance of mentors and a passion for operations, she rose through the ranks from underwriter to management, cultivating the skills and perspective that would shape her career. She is also a Certified Lease & Finance Professional (CLFP), a credential that reflects her deep industry knowledge and commitment to professional standards.
Her expertise proved instrumental in the founding of Ten Oaks Commercial Capital, a boutique broker operation launched by alumni of Ascentium Capital. At Ten Oaks, Hernandez leaned on her leadership in credit and operations to help build a company culture centered on transparency, collaboration and trust with both vendors and customers. These principles carried forward when Ten Oaks was acquired by Kapitus, which sought to strengthen its offerings and expand into equipment finance.
The acquisition of Ten Oaks to form Kapitus Equipment Finance is one of Hernandez’s proudest professional milestones. Transitioning into her role as Vice President of Operations, she applied her experience to scale infrastructure and set clear, efficient parameters for credit, documentation and funding processes. Her approach to leadership emphasizes teamwork, viewing equipment finance as a collective effort where success depends on collaboration across functions. She credits the strong support of Kapitus’ leadership team and the dedication of her colleagues for enabling the seamless integration and rapid progress of the new division.
Her leadership has already left an impact. Over the past year, Hernandez has guided strategic development initiatives and strengthened partnerships across the organization, all while scaling operational frameworks to support long-term growth. She approaches her work with a long-term view, describing it as a marathon, not a sprint. This perspective has allowed her to build sustainable systems and foster a culture where consistency, professionalism and accountability thrive.
Her colleagues praise her steady judgment and unwavering commitment to doing the right thing. “Lara is a valuable and unique member of our community for several reasons,” shares Greg McIntosh, Senior Vice President at Kapitus Equipment Finance. “The trait that is most valuable is her consistency towards doing the right thing. It doesn’t matter if the subject is a specific deal, vendor or industry — she always looks at the situation with the same mindset, asking herself, ‘What is the right thing to do?’ It may not be the easiest or most popular choice, but it’s always the right one.”
By blending technical expertise with emotional intelligence and a focus on mentorship, Hernandez has built a career that exemplifies leadership in equipment finance. Her influence continues to shape the growth and culture of Kapitus Equipment Finance, positioning the company and its people for lasting success.
“Work hard, be approachable and never underestimate the value of emotional intelligence. Success in equipment finance isn’t achieved alone — it’s built on trust, consistency and collaboration. Professional development is key, as is finding mentors who challenge and support you. Lead with integrity, and you’ll create lasting impact for your team and the industry.”
– Lara Hernandez
