Courtney Dioguardi is an integral part of the QuickFi by Innovation Finance team. She works closely with QuickFi’s global OEM and bank partners to deploy the company’s fully digital embedded lending platform, with which the QuickFi team is aiming to reshape the commercial equipment finance landscape. Dioguardi has significantly expanded QuickFi’s reach through her ability to navigate complex challenges while fostering collaboration with key partners.

Dioguardi began her journey in the equipment finance industry 20 years ago as an intern at First American Equipment Finance, where she supported the credit and operations department. Through the years, Dioguardi advanced into high-impact roles, developing a focus on operational excellence and innovation.

“Since we first met, when Courtney Dioguardi joined First American, she brought a deep commitment and sense of importance to her work,” Bill Verhelle, CEO of QuickFi, says. “Everything Courtney touched was completed with the highest level of professionalism and competence.”

In over a decade of leadership at First American, Dioguardi and her teammates were never involved in a significant operations problem. Due to her knowledge, attention to detail and leadership skills, she consistently delivered outstanding service to clients.

At QuickFi, Dioguardi brings the same attention to detail and competence to her leadership role. Dioguardi’s skills in driving organizational change, developing solutions that streamline processes, enhancing operational efficiency and delivering improved outcomes for QuickFi have been critical to the company’s success. Dioguardi has also begun transforming the commercial equipment finance business model. Her desire to attempt new challenges and undertake new responsibilities in new areas reflects her commitment to her own growth and professional development.

Dioguardi’s achievements focus on pioneering initiatives that challenge industry norms, as she has consistently led the re-engineering of commercial finance processes and continually pushed the boundaries of what was previously possible by redefining how financing solutions are delivered to customers. Dioguardi finds satisfaction in seeing QuickFi’s global OEM partners succeed using the innovative solutions on which she has a direct influence.

“Since we launched QuickFi over six years ago, Courtney has managed our most important global OEM relationships,” Verhelle says. “She operates with the same commitment and dedication. She is instrumental in QuickFi’s mission to create an entirely new embedded lending business model for the industry. It has been my honor and privilege to work closely with Courtney for most of my career.”

Dioguardi is deeply committed to developing the next generation. In her previous tenure at First American, she led a department used as a recruiting and training ground. Her patience, empathy and professionalism were appreciated by the more than 100 young professionals who went on to successful careers at First American and elsewhere after learning key lessons about business and leadership from Dioguardi. Today, Dioguardi plays a similar role at QuickFi. Her ability to help young professionals develop the qualities of character and the skill set required for success has been a key accelerant for the success of both First American and QuickFi.

Outside of her contributions at QuickFi, Dioguardi is a member of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association and has served on the Certified Lease & Finance Professional Foundation board, helping to shape standards for the next generation of finance professionals.

Through her commitment to fostering a collaborative work environment, Dioguardi encourages young professionals to embrace innovative thinking while advocating for the adoption of new technologies. As a leader and mentor, Dioguardi hopes to drive change in the industry by empowering others. •