“Lead with ownership and clarity — prioritize empowering people through trust and shared responsibility, addressing challenges early and converting complexity into opportunities to drive innovation and sustainable growth.”

As a lending operations senior manager at Wells Fargo Vendor Finance, Teyl Stark views equipment finance as far more than a series of transactions. Initially drawn to the field by the intersection of relationships, operational discipline and tangible business impact, Stark’s perspective has evolved to encompass a broader understanding of the industry ecosystem. For Stark, equipment finance is a long-term partnership built on the integration of risk management, technology, process design and people.

Over the past year, Stark has focused on leading operational improvements that successfully strengthened consistency, reduced friction and enhanced the experience for both internal teams and external customers. To lead these initiatives efficiently, Stark was tasked with navigating ambiguity, aligning stakeholders across functions and integrating technology into established processes. Rather than applying quick fixes to complex issues, her approach to problem-solving centers on identifying root causes and designing scalable, sustainable solutions. This delivered not only better processes, but also more confident teams that understand the “why” behind their work.

Stark defines her leadership style as accountable, analytical and empowering. She uses data to guide decision-making and sets clear expectations, providing the structure her team needs to thrive. She balances this analytical rigor with a high level of trust, giving individuals responsibility for their work. By removing obstacles, creating clarity and encouraging participation — especially during periods of industry change — Stark fosters an environment where her colleagues feel confident in growing while consistently delivering high-impact results.