In 2020, First Financial Equipment Leasing hired Audrey Kent to help ramp up the company’s underwriting efforts as it transitioned away from syndications to holding transactions with credit risk. Today, as head of credit, Kent oversees the credit department’s underwriting and pricing activities, helping foster different group collaborators to support growth. Before joining First Financial, Kent held numerous roles in credit and capital markets at a slew of banks, including a vice presidential role within the principal investments arm of Wells Fargo.

Kent believes technology is essential for leadership development because it enables anyone to access a wide range of online courses, virtual learning platforms and remote collaboration tools. “There is so much content available to anyone that has the time and interest — from learning a new skill, language or hobby, to increasing one’s network, or even using data analytics to improve email writing or finding out the most efficient way to run meetings,” Kent says. “I am blown away by the tools and resources that technology has made available at our fingertips.”

Just as important to leadership development is achieving the proper work-life balance, according to Kent. Kent says that while finding that sweet spot between professional responsibilities and personal life is possible, it requires viewing both as a continuous process requiring ongoing effort and adjustment. The key, according to Kent, is to routinely set (and reset) priorities, establish clear boundaries and communicate them across stakeholders — from colleagues to family members — and to not be afraid to ask for help when it’s needed. Finally, Kent says it’s been vital to her success to work for an employer that fosters a supportive work culture focused on engagement and flexible policies that make achieving work-life balance possible.