In an era dominated by digital communication and faceless interactions, Kelly Wald remains a people person at heart. As assistant vice president, relationship manager at Verdant Commercial Capital, Wald’s empathy, problem-solving abilities and passion for helping others define her approach to both clients and colleagues. When asked what motivates her, Wald highlights her mission: delivering exceptional service to help customers grow their businesses while ensuring her team feels supported and confident. She credits her team-first mentality to the strong female leaders who instilled confidence in her early in her career.

Wald’s people-first philosophy forms the foundation of her successful career, rooted in elite business acumen. Starting in a documentation role, she was promoted to junior account manager and then multi-market relationship manager. Initially apprehensive about moving into sales, Wald received advice that still resonates with her today: “Sales is 90% building relationships and 10% paperwork.” Embracing this mindset, Wald has excelled in an industry where customer relationships are key. Her ability to foster strong connections aligns with Verdant’s mission to provide quick, effective solutions for its clients.

Wald’s colleagues regard her as a natural-born leader who manages her duties in a manner that reflects her high standards while remaining approachable and accessible. She has a unique big picture perspective and communicates strategies to the entire Verdant team, while also addressing adversity and ensuring that processes are seamless for the customer. She identifies issues and shepherds them to resolution while seizing opportunities to make Verdant’s staff members better. As the vertical’s unspoken leader, Wald never hesitates to jump in and help the team or generously share her time and expertise. Her leadership style is an amalgamation of the qualities that drive her: initiative, accountability and guidance. Colleagues say her exceptional leadership skills and business acumen transcend her title, making her a valued resource at Verdant.

One of Wald’s greatest professional achievements has been her transition from operations to sales. She played a pivotal role in building Verdant’s specialty vehicle group, taking it from a standing start to over a quarter billion dollars in annual originations. When the vertical first launched, Wald worked closely with the legal team to develop the necessary documents and contracts. Her impact was equally vital during the COVID-19 pandemic. As Verdant adapted contracts to offer a 90-day cushion for clients during a challenging time, Wald became the group’s point person. “It was incredibly rewarding to help someone every day during that period,” she says. She continues to manage the customer service process for the specialty vehicle group, overseeing all communication with clients.

Wald’s legacy is vast and nuanced. She has built a reputation as a reliable, knowledgeable resource who is always ready to support both colleagues and customers. “We consider ourselves lucky to work with Kelly,” Craig Crosby and Pete Thorp, vice presidents of Verdant’s specialty vehicle group, say. “She exemplifies intangible qualities that can’t be taught. Kelly is relationship focused, advocates for customers and takes initiative on customer-related projects. Kelly mentors less experienced team members across all parts of our business. You can see that Kelly truly cares.”

Wald ensures her mentees understand the “why” behind their work. Her dedication to relationships is guided by her personal mantra: “When people are good, everything else falls in line.” As she continues amassing milestones at Verdant, she remains a dependable example of leadership and integrity. •