“People Come First. Be it customers, direct reports, managers, you name it, we all want to be appreciated. Nothing motivates a person more than knowing they are not just an ID number. When people feel seen, heard, and appreciated, they will give their best efforts towards anything.”

For Jose Pena, Documentation Team Leader at Eastern Funding LLC, equipment finance is a deeply personal mission. While he always aspired to a career in banking, his first lending transaction with a customer made it clear that this path was meant for him. The customer’s story mirrored that of his own parents, who had lost their grocery store because they lacked the financial backing of a company like Eastern Funding. That moment reinforced Pena’s belief that his job was bigger than giving out funds, but rather about helping customers secure the futures of their families and communities.

This “People First” philosophy defines Pena’s leadership. Over the last year, as he transitioned from a team member to a manager, he was tasked with rebuilding an underperforming team. By leveraging his connections with team members and focusing on professional development, he successfully fostered a culture described by his staff as a “family.”

Pena’s leadership is driven by the fundamental belief that all individuals are equals deserving of respect and dignity. By ensuring his team members feel seen and heard, he creates an environment where people resonate with the care shown to them and, in turn, feel empowered to provide their absolute best effort. For Pena, compassion is the primary lead; he treats colleagues as individuals rather than just functions, knowing that when people are valued and listened to on a personal level, they are far more likely to invest themselves fully in their collective goals.