With more than 25 years of experience in equipment finance, Denise Garcia has made a significant impact to the equipment financing division at Bank of the West, where she has worked for the last four years. She originally joined the bank to lead its inside sales team before being promoted to her current position as vendor technology and healthcare business unit leader and director. Working with a variety of teams spanning from operations and credit to channel sales has shaped her career with the bank. Garcia is able to bring her growth mindset to the organization and be a transformational leader in a regulated environment. Recently, her team accomplished the expansion of sustainable financing beyond solar and into energy and hydrogen fuel cells.

Prior to joining Bank of the West, during her 17 years at IBM Global Financing, Garcia began to master the ability to bring teams together from diverse backgrounds to create strategic business solutions. Embracing the changes in the vendor community, she continues to learn alongside her team members. There is nothing more rewarding to Garcia than seeing her team members win and grow. She also has a deep desire to understand each and every client’s strategic objective to ensure the products and offerings she and her team deliver will help grow and further their businesses.

As a leader, Garcia is not afraid to make cutting edge decisions. She creates a dynamic culture and safe spaces, encouraging everyone she comes across to explore new ideas and different business approaches. Garcia’s humble beginnings have contributed to her continuing desire to give back and leave a mark on anyone she encounters. She has passionately served on a nonprofit board and several finance committees and currently participates in scholarship funds that give underprivileged young women the opportunity to earn a college preparatory education, which she once received as a student.

“When I first came to Bank of the West, I knew I was different. Bank of the West has given me the opportunity to show up as my genuine self. My words of wisdom for other women stepping into this industry is to embrace your differences,” Garcia says. “Your differences are your superpower. It is your unique perspective and diversity that differentiates you from anyone else sitting at the table or in a room. It is through this diversity that we can better serve our clients and community. The world needs to hear your voice, so speak up!”

“Denise is an inspiring and motivating leader. She embraces the voice of our clients,vendors and teammates on a daily basis to deliver a world class experience and propel our business forward. Her accomplishments at Bank of the West are a testament to her deep knowledge of equipment finance, her client centric approach and the passion she has for the business,” Ken Turner, head of equipment finance at Bank of the West, says. “Denise is a perfect role model for young women by empowering them to pursue their dreams, make their voices heard and stand out as leaders.”