In 2019, Tina Barnett decided to transition from early childhood education to the equipment finance industry despite having no prior experience in finance. She dove headfirst into a male-dominated field and embraced the opportunity to learn from the ground up.
Joining Ritchie Bros. Financial Services as an associate account manager set the stage for Barnett’s career in equipment finance, and she leveraged her background in education to connect with customers, building strong relationships that helped her achieve consistent results. With her hands-on approach and steadfast commitment, Barnett rapidly excelled in the role, igniting a passion for her
work in equipment finance.
Barnett’s leadership skills began to shine in 2022 when she advanced to a sales team lead, fostering a culture of continuous growth and innovation and encouraging her team to seek new learning opportunities while actively contributing to process improvements. In 2023, Barnett was promoted to sales manager, overseeing lead management and new customer acquisition for the account managers while creating more efficient processes to acquire new customers and improve origination outcomes. Barnett’s team has funded more than $200 million in transactions under her leadership, accounting for a significant contribution to the company’s revenue.
“Tina is an individual who exemplifies self-improvement and isn’t afraid to take on big projects or challenges,” Ross Grundy, director of sales for Ritchie Bros., says. “Currently, she’s helping guide the implementation of a new customer acquisition strategy for our sales team using data prioritization and AI to make our salespeople more effective at new customer acquisitions.”
Barnett is guided by the core value of “one team, all in,” which is reflected in her leadership. She is deeply committed to unity and collaboration across the organization. Not only does Barnett focus on the success of her team, she also focuses on driving growth across the entire organization by encouraging teamwork that aligns daily operations with the company’s broader goals.
By fostering professional growth, building connections with every team member and promoting inclusion, Barnett also carries her collaborative spirit into creating an empowered work environment. Her leadership style encompasses nurturing talent, encouraging lifelong learning and developing a work culture that lifts everyone up.
“Early in my career, I had moments of doubt, but I learned that my unique perspective and ability to connect with others were some of my greatest strengths,” Barnett says. She encourages other women to, “Push through the discomfort and remember that your differences are your superpower in this industry.”
Barnett actively participates in programs that support professional development across the organization, maintaining her dedication to creating opportunities for every person to grow, thrive and make unique contributions to the business based on their personal skills. Her legacy is one of collaboration, mentorship and driving positive change. Barnett’s journey from education to finance showcases her
adaptability, and her commitment to empowering others will leave a lasting impact on her company and the industry as a whole. •
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