Mackenzie O’Connell, finance coordinator for APPROVE, recently earned the Certified Lease & Finance Professional credential. This certification will enable O’Connell to bring a new level of knowledge to her work assuring that applications move smoothly through APPROVE’s technology-driven financing platform.

O’Connell has worked at APPROVE since 2019 and has held roles in customer support, recruiting and finance operations. Her work as a finance coordinator provides a human touch to APPROVE’s platform, which uses a network of lenders and data-driven technology to match customers at all credit levels with their best-fit lenders.

The CLFP is a credential for equipment leasing and financing professionals throughout the world. Candidates must demonstrate strong knowledge of the industry by sitting for an eight-hour exam, and they must commit to continuing education and adherence to the Certified Lease & Finance Professional Foundation’s standards of professional conduct.

O’Connell is the second member of APPROVE’s finance operations team to become a CLFP, with the first being Jim Howard, vice president of finance operations. She said she sought the certification in order to more closely understand the equipment financing needs of the APPROVE customers she serves. These customers include equipment distributors and dealers in industries such as food service, construction and manufacturing.

“I chose to pursue the CLFP designation to expand my knowledge in all stages of the equipment financing process,” O’Connell said. “I am so excited to be a part of this foundation and I am looking forward to using this knowledge first-hand with customers to further support their equipment-finance needs.”