Monitor, the leading independent media company serving the equipment finance industry, successfully hosted the inaugural LeadHER Women’s Leadership Summit from June 2 – 4, 2026 at the Sofitel Philadelphia. The landmark event brought together hundreds of women from across the equipment finance industry for two days of transformative programming, peer connection and professional growth.
The LeadHER Summit was a dedicated, equipment finance-specific leadership experience built by women, for women. From its earliest beginnings in focus groups and surveys to the carefully curated program that unfolded over 2.5 days, LeadHER was shaped by the voices and aspirations of the women it sought to serve.
The Summit was brought to life through the vision of event host Lisa Rafter, publisher and CEO of Monitor, and ensuing collaboration with Lori Frasier, Founder & Principal of BrightPath Workforce Strategies, a partnership which created the essence of the LeadHER experience.
Rafter reflected on the journey to bring the summit to life: “It was built from the contributions of hundreds of women from equipment finance. Starting with the focus groups and surveys, to the many prep committees, the Catalyst Mentors, the breakout facilitators and the workshop leaders — committed and passionate women who gave their time to say, ‘this is what we want!’ and then made it happen. The rest, as they say, is herstory. We started something powerful, and we’re just beginning.”
The Summit kicked off Tuesday evening with a welcome reception, setting the tone for two days of candid conversation, skill-building and genuine connection. The program was deliberately designed to move beyond passive content consumption, prioritizing active engagement, peer exchange and mentorship.
The first day opened with a keynote by Frasier who challenged attendees to pause, reclaim their agency and engage intentionally with the pace of a fast-moving world. Wendi Wasik of Wasik Consulting followed with a session on “Beyond Limits: Amplifying Your Influence and Impact,” shining a light on the Limited Cognitive Frames that can constrain women’s leadership potential.
The afternoon featured workshops led by Dr. Shanna B. Tiayon on strategic boundary-setting for senior leaders, and Dr. Terri Boyer, founding director of the Anne Welsh McNulty Institute for Women’s Leadership at Villanova University, on expanding spheres of influence. Day one concluded with a festive evening event at SPIN Philadelphia where Jessica Edelist from Dakota Financial won the ping pong tournament and was awarded with the LeadHER ping pong tournament trophy.
Day two opened with the popular “Coffee & Candor” panel discussion, moderated by Frasier, featuring candid reflections from senior industry leaders including Leigh Lytle of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Association, Deb Baker of HP, Reid Raykovich of the Certified Lease & Finance Professional Foundation and Lisa Rafter of Monitor. The closing workshop, “The Authenticity Key: Masks Off. Confidence On,” led by Hilary Bilbrey of Compass & Key, invited participants to reconnect with their authentic leadership identity.
A defining feature of the LeadHER experience was the Mentor Circle structure, which paired attendees with Catalyst Mentors — senior industry women who volunteered their time to guide, challenge and inspire participants throughout the Summit. Mentor Circles met multiple times across both days, allowing for sustained, meaningful dialogue and the development of real professional relationships.
PEAC Solutions highlighted the contribution of two of its leaders who served in this capacity: “We’re especially proud of Eileen Schoonmaker, president of the Americas, and Jennifer Fanz, vice president of sales, who served as Catalyst Mentors, helping guide discussions and foster connections throughout the event. PEAC is proud to support opportunities for our leaders that encourage growth, mentorship and connection across our industry.”
Six breakout sessions ran concurrently across two rounds on day one, each moderated by respected industry voices and designed to surface lived experience rather than polished presentations. Topics ranged from speaking up when the stakes are high, to leveraging AI as a leadership tool, to navigating intergenerational dynamics and staying current with industry trends.
Moderated by a diverse lineup of senior women, including Nancy Robles from Eastern Funding, Lisa Fleischer from DLL, Falencia Prime from Eastern Funding, Rita Garwood from Monitor, Elizabeth Lutes from RVI Group, Deb Reuben from TomorrowZone, Danielle Dolloff from Liventus, Blair Dawson from North Mill Equipment Finance, Kristi Schon from Channel and Dondra Benjamin from EverBank, the sessions generated lively, insight-rich conversations that participants carried with them throughout the Summit.
The response from attendees was overwhelmingly enthusiastic, with participants describing the summit as a career-defining experience. Women at all stages, from early-career professionals to C-Suite executives with decades of experience, found the Summit equally resonant.
“After a few days at LeadHER in Philadelphia, I came home with a notebook full of ideas, but more importantly, a renewed sense of purpose,” Amy Lewis of KLC Financial said. “Leadership can be demanding. We spend our days making decisions, solving problems, managing change and helping others navigate challenges. It’s easy to get caught up in the pace of execution and forget to make time for our own growth. LeadHER was a reminder of how important that investment is.”
Casey Mills from ElmBlue Capital added, “This was my first ever conference in the industry and one of the greatest experiences. I had no idea what to expect when I walked through the doors, but I was met with open arms. The willingness for every woman in that room to take their masks off and give their all was inspiring. To be young in my career and to make the connections I did was invaluable. I came back with new friends who I can lean on, who inspire me to be a better leader. Thank you LeadHer for this beautiful experience; and thank you ElmBlue Equipment Finance for investing in me and giving me the opportunity to continue to grow.”
Katie Stautberg from Great American Insurance said, “Just got back from the LeadHer2026 Conference in Philly, and I’m still feeling incredibly energized (and honestly, grateful). Spending a few days surrounded by strong, driven and thoughtful women — and doing it alongside my coworkers from Great American — was such a powerful reminder of why I love what I do and who I get to do it with.”
LTi Technology Solutions wrote in a LinkedIn post, “Investing in events like LeadHer reflects our commitment to the advancement of women in our industry. We’re grateful to Monitor for building this community and proud to play a role in supporting it.”
With the inaugural summit now complete, the LeadHER community is primed to grow. Attendees were invited to continue their Mentor Circle connections through a 30-day follow-up conversation, and plans are already underway to build on the momentum generated in Philadelphia.
“I feel truly blessed and humbled to have partnered with Lisa Rafter, the Monitor team and dozens of industry women to create something both meaningful and necessary for our industry,” Frasier said. “As the world of work continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, organizations need leaders who can navigate complexity with confidence, think systemically, make collaborative decisions, foster authentic human connection and create clarity amid uncertainty. Those capabilities begin with self-awareness and a willingness to lead with intention. That was the vision behind LeadHER. More than a conference, it was an opportunity for women to reconnect with their own leadership, learn from one another and leave with the courage and commitment to create positive change within their organizations and our industry. I left Philadelphia energized by what we built together and optimistic about the future of leadership in equipment finance.”
Renee Lincoln from 1st Source Bank said, “What an incredible few days at the LeadHER Women’s Leadership Summit. I left inspired, energized and grateful for the amazing connections, conversations and new friendships that were built along the way. LeadHER was a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about showing up authentically, continuing to learn, supporting those around you and helping create opportunities for others to succeed.”
