Equipment Finance Cares hosted an event on Sept. 20 in Plymouth Meeting, PA, at Auxilior Capital Partners’ headquarters.

The event began with a panel moderated by Monitor Publisher Lisa Rafter on the “Human Side of Leasing,” featuring panelists Jennifer Martin from Key Equipment Finance, Hollis Bufferd from Star Hill Financial, Kareem Jernican from Leasing Associates and Delroy Stauffer from Odessa. The panel discussed a variety of topics, including effective collaboration in a post-COVID-19 environment, DE&I, engaging NextGen employees, creating safe spaces to innovate and how leadership is evolving to meet the pace of change.

Lovern Gordon from Boston Financial & Equity and the Love Life Now Foundation was the event’s featured speaker. Gordon shared the story of her history with and escape from domestic violence, which led her to start the Love Life Now Foundation. She provided an overview of the organization’s advocacy work and attendees received a free copy of Gordon’s book, The Legacy He Left Me.

During the Equipment Finance Cares Showcase, members of the industry discussed the work that they are doing through St. Anthony’s Academy, the Chris Walker Educational Fund, the Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation and Magic Charities.

A second panel, “Best Practices,” was moderated by Mike Toglia of Equipment Finance Advisor and included Rene Paradis of Auxilior Capital Partners, Tom Lyle of HPS Global Leasing, Donna Yanuzzi of 1st Equipment Finance and Joe Leonard of Oakmont Capital Holdings. The panel focused on developing talent, identifying future leaders, mentorship and other best practices.

The day concluded with a networking and fundraising event for Magic Charities.

“Equipment Finance Cares is excited to bring our platform to the greater Philadelphia area,” Jesse Johnson, founder of Equipment Finance Cares, said. “We are grateful to Auxilior Capital Partners for hosting and also our sponsors for making these events possible.”