Linda Redding was working in the leverage finance group at Wachovia when a mentor directed her to the equipment finance industry. Redding wanted an opportunity to partner with the firm’s commercial bank in a credit products capacity and lead a sales team, and her mentor directed her towards an opportunity in equipment finance.

Redding jumped in with both feet and after Wachovia was acquired by Wells Fargo later that year, she continued to gain knowledge from her mentor and experienced equipment finance colleagues, helping launch Redding into a more than 15-year journey in equipment finance.

In her new role with J.P. Morgan, Redding has hit the ground running. Her highest priority is to leverage the solid foundation that already exists at J.P. Morgan and develop a market-leading equipment finance practice. She notes there are three critical elements to a successful equipment finance practice — people, process and partnership — and J.P. Morgan has all of them.

Redding served as a mentor during her career with Wells Fargo and she plans to continue this because “paying it forward has always been a critical element.” Part of leadership for her is making the time to connect with people to see how they’re doing and how leadership can help them.

As a self-described servant leader, Redding believes strongly that her first job as a leader is to support her team and ensure their success both individually and collectively. She believes mentorship is not just about advancing your career but also allows two people to connect and lay the groundwork for a productive and important relationship.

The pandemic and fluctuating economy has exposed the need for modernization in U.S., including upgrading infrastructure and increasing automation in a variety of industries. Redding believes the key to solving these macro trends involves equipment and capital.

In financing, Redding believes that where industries such as the green economy, manufacturing or transportation go next will require a high degree of skill, financial acumen and access to multiple capital sources to be successful.