2024 Monitor Top Women in Equipment Finance: Lisa Kennedy, Director, Credit and Portfolio Management, Gordon Brothers

by Monitor Staff Nov/Dec 2024
“Use your voice. Verbal communication is a superpower we all possess. Don’t ever be afraid to be heard. Ask questions, share ideas and disagree. By being collaborative with your colleagues as well as others in our lives, you can learn, grow and achieve your goals."
Lisa Kennedy
Director, Credit and Portfolio Management
Gordon Brothers

Lisa Kennedy has established herself as a prominent leader in the equipment finance industry thanks to her extensive expertise, dedication and leadership. With more than 25 years of credit and lending experience, Kennedy currently serves as director of credit and portfolio management for the structured equipment finance group at Gordon Brothers. In this role, she plays a crucial part in shaping the firm’s equipment finance growth strategy while overseeing credit and portfolio management. Her ability to navigate the complexities of structured finance and leasing has earned her recognition as a results-driven credit executive.

As a founding member of Gordon Brothers’ equipment finance group, Kennedy has been instrumental in its development, helping to create a business that aims to address financial and operational challenges beyond the reach of traditional lenders and lessors. She is deeply involved in every facet of the group’s operations, from strategic planning to portfolio management and workout solutions. Her hands-on leadership and commitment to client success have been pivotal to the firm’s growth.

Though Kennedy only joined Gordon Brothers in May 2023, she has already played a crucial role in establishing both the credit and portfolio management functions, in addition to launching its structured equipment finance business. She was also a key contributor to the firm’s Solifi implementation and its development of associated procedures. She has demonstrated a key ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently and possesses excellent analytical, communication and interpersonal skills.

Before joining Gordon Brothers, Kennedy gained experience as a commercial middle-market lending analyst at a regional bank, where she completed a rigorous credit training program. This foundation gave her a strong understanding of underwriting and industry dynamics. Her career then transitioned into leasing, with roles at Transamerica Leasing and Philip Morris Capital, where she focused on single-investor and leveraged leases, as well as project finance transactions.

Kennedy’s leadership was particularly impactful during her tenure at CIT (now First Citizens Bank), where she led a six-person portfolio management team. Her strategic approach to credit and portfolio management helped grow the firm’s portfolio while mitigating risk. Her ability to manage complex transactions and build strong customer relationships set her apart, and she took great pride in mentoring junior colleagues, advocating for their professional growth and fostering a collaborative environment.

“Lisa applies her extensive knowledge and experience balancing opportunity and risk to develop creative client-oriented solutions that meet established internal guidelines,” Dennis A. Bolton II, senior managing director and head of equipment finance for Gordon Brothers, says. “She works with the team and client to understand the ‘story’ to find ways to support transactions others overlook.”

Beyond her role at Gordon Brothers, Kennedy remains actively engaged in the equipment finance industry. She regularly attends industry conferences and serves as a mentor to junior associates, offering her wealth of experience as a resource for the next generation of professionals. Eager to contribute further, Kennedy hopes to take on leadership roles within industry committees, where she believes her insights can contribute to shaping the future of equipment finance.

Kennedy’s career exemplifies the power of resilience, hard work and a passion for finding innovative solutions. Her influence on the equipment finance industry continues to grow, making her a highly respected figure in the field. •

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