The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association announced the agenda for the 2023 ELFA Women’s Leadership Forum, which will be held April 3 to April 4 at the Palmer House Hilton in Chicago. Hosted by the ELFA Women’s Council, the two-day event will focus on leadership development for women at all stages of an equipment finance career. The agenda will feature keynote speakers, hot-topic sessions and interactive networking opportunities, all organized around the theme “Leading with Your Whole Self.”

“Over two days at the Women’s Leadership Forum, we’ll cover compelling benefits for leaders who choose to bring everything they are to their work and how the right approach to making this important change can make any leader better,” Michelle Speranza, chair of the ELFA’s Women’s Council and senior vice president and chief marketing officer at LEAF Commercial Capital, said. “We’ll also talk about how to bring more empathy to leadership, strengthen relationships across teams and create truly inclusive work environments. Whether you’re new to equipment finance or a seasoned leader, we hope you’ll join us to learn and network on April 3-4.”

Highlights of the 2023 ELFA Women’s Leadership Forum will include:

• Q&A on “Career Lessons from 100 Successful Women” with former Fortune 500 vice president and author and Sara Holtz. Attendees will gain advice they can put into action to propel their careers forward.
• Keynote on “Leading with Empathy and Allyship” with author and TED talk presenter Melinda Briana Epler. Attendees will gain actionable steps to become a better ally and advocate in the workplace.
• Executive Leader Panel on “Leading with Your Whole Self” featuring equipment finance executives sharing insights from their paths to success, including lessons learned and mistakes made.
• Interactive session on “Inclusive Leadership” with Glenn Jackson, chief diversity officer at M&T Bank. Attendees will gain strategies for creating a culture that brings out the best in themselves and their teams.
• Navigating Work/Life Integration: Attendees can join a candid discussion with a diverse group of equipment finance leaders about juggling competing demands and avoiding burnout.
• Multiple networking opportunities, including an interactive networking luncheon, cocktail reception, fun walk, yoga class, dine around and more.

The members of the 2023 ELFA Women’s Council, which is involved in planning and hosting the Women’s Leadership Forum, include:

• Michelle Speranza – Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, LEAF Commercial Capital (Chair)
• Tara Aasand – Vice President of Sales and Relationship Management, LTi Technology Solutions
• Lauren Baingo – Program Manager, DLL
• Deborah Baker – Head of Worldwide Leasing and Financing, HP
• Jerrie Carter – Retail Credit Manager, Volvo Financial Services
• Jacquie Cripe – CLFP, Group Lead, Mitsubishi HC Capital America
• Alexandra Dressman – CLFP, Counsel-Senior/Assistant Vice President, Huntington Equipment Finance
• Leigh Ann Fagan – Senior Vice President and Controller, McKinley Scientific
• Jennifer Fanz – National Sales Manager, Healthcare, PEAC Solutions
• Margaret Gutierrez – Senior Vice President and Corporate Credit Officer, Key Equipment Finance
• Kirsten Hawkins – Director of Marketing, SCJ Commercial Financial Services
• Maggie Holly – CLFP, Credit and Operations Manager and Senior Vice President, Hanmi Bank
• Aimee Jackson – Account Management Supervisor, Great American Insurance Group
• Sharon McGarvey – Business Development Manager, Odessa
• Alisa Micarelli – Senior Vice President of Operations, PNC Equipment Finance
• Kelsey Musich – Customer Care Manager, Amur Equipment Finance
• Jerilyn Nicholsen – Vice President of Strategic Accounts – Finance, Bankruptcy and Solvency, Ritchie Bros.
• Carla Potter – Lawyer, Cassels Brock & Blackwell
• Shirley Pridgen – Collections and Customer Service Manager, Toyota Industries Commercial Finance
• Kim Riggs-Mounger – CLFP, Vice President of Business Development, Orion First Financial
• Catherine Roddick – Lead Relationship Manager, Farm Credit Leasing (Chair-Elect)
• Jeff Schmidt – Director of Commercial Lending, CNH Industrial Capital
• Shae Watson – Area Manager, Caterpillar Financial Services
• Donna Yanuzzi – Senior Vice President and Director of Equipment Finance, 1st Equipment Finance