STRIPES Leadership Program celebrated 15 leaders during its Certification Ceremony in Philadelphia on Nov. 20. The ceremony marked the culmination of a six-month transformational leadership journey for members of Cohort 7, who represent a wide range of companies across the equipment finance industry.
The following leaders were recognized:
- Bob Arneson, Credit Team Manager, Eastern Funding
- Marissa Bazarian, Vice President of Operations, First Citizens Bank
- Megan Byrne, Assistant Vice President, Auxilior Capital Partners
- Joey Carroll, Vice President, Risk Management, 36th Street Capital Partners
- Rick Dierks, Regional Sales Manager, Arvest Equipment Finance
- Doug Jackson, Vice President of Operations, North Mill Equipment Finance
- Renee Lincoln, Relationship Sales Officer, 1st Source Bank
- Eric Miller, Operations Group Supervisor, PEAC Solutions
- Jasmine Negrini, Documentation Team Manager, Eastern Funding
- Erica Padilla, Sales Manager, LEAF Commercial Capital
- Herb Reeder, Syndications Sell Desk, Huntington National Bank
- Anthony Schindell, Vice President of Credit & Operations, Trio Capital
- Jake Tomcheck, Director of Finance, Aspen Capital Company
- Monica Waters, Customer Relations Manager, Dakota Financial
- Heather Williams, Director of Booking & Operations, PEAC Solutions
The ceremony featured an inspiring keynote address by Dr. Nancy Robles, president and CEO of Eastern Funding. Drawing from her own leadership journey, Robles shared wisdom and personal stories about standing in your power, empowering others and leading with authenticity — offering graduates a powerful reminder of the responsibility and influence today’s leaders carry.
“Watching Cohort 7 transform over the past six months has been extraordinary,” Lisa Rafter, CEO and founder of STRIPES, said. “Each leader demonstrated commitment and courage — participating in transformational discovery, business workshops, coaching and more, and then applying the curriculum to Capstone Projects that are making real differences in their lives and organizations. Our graduates emerge from their STRIPES experience with clarity, confidence, momentum and the ability to deliver results — I can’t wait to see how they reshape their organizations and our industry.”
Jake Tomcheck, director of finance at Aspen Capital, shared, “Our organization will truly never be the same because of this program. We had been clipping along, doing the same thing for so long, with no real desire or even understanding of how to change or transform before STRIPES. To say that it transformed the business would be an understatement.”
Cohort 8 began its journey in October, and Cohort 9 will commence on April 21, 2026, beginning with the Transformational Leadership Launch in Philadelphia.
For more information about how to become a STRIPES Leader and STRIPES Leadership Program, contact carolynn.caruso@stripesleadership.com or visit www.stripesleadership.com.
