The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association announced that ELFA Women’s Leadership Forum LIVE! will take place on April 20, 2021. This one-day virtual event will be hosted by the ELFA Women’s Council and will focus on leadership development for women at all stages of an equipment finance career. In keeping with the event’s theme, “Stoking the Fire,” the forum is designed to spark new ideas and provide inspiration and tools to help attendees move forward and thrive.

Highlights of ELFA Women’s Leadership Forum LIVE! will include:

• Keynote presentation on “The 5 Degree Principle: Small Changes to Spark Big Results” from Shannon Cassidy of Bridge Between, an executive corporate coach and authority on behavioral modification and communication
• Keynote presentation on “How to Defuse the Landmines We Plant in Our Lives” from Kelly Accetta of Truth.coach, a personal development coach and success trainer
• Candid conversation about “Reinvention: Letting Go of Yesterday to Ignite Your Tomorrow” featuring Deborah Reuben of TomorrowZone and Jennifer Fanz, chair-elect of the ELFA Women’s Council
• Executive Leader Panel on “Stoking the Fire,” featuring equipment finance industry leaders sharing how to “keep your fire burning” when faced with challenges and bumps in the road. The leaders will discuss how to continuously “stoke your fire” — and your team’s fire — and not let setbacks extinguish your flame.
• Networking sessions for attendees to discuss hot topics, share best practices and make new connections

“Our planning committee has worked hard to develop a powerful agenda for ELFA Women’s Leadership Forum LIVE!,” Deb Baker, chair of the ELFA Women’s Council, said. “If you’re looking to gain industry insights, grow your leadership skills and build your professional network, this event is for you. Whether you’re new to equipment finance or a seasoned leader, we hope you’ll join us on April 20!”

The 2021 ELFA Women’s Council was involved in the planning and hosting of ELFA Women’s Leadership Forum LIVE! The members of the council include:

• Deb Baker, Head of Worldwide Leasing and Financing, HP (Council Chair)
• Kathy Canum, Vice President, Administration, Canon Financial Services
• Bob Cohen, Partner, Moritt Hock & Hamroff
• Lexie Dressman, Counsel, Huntington Equipment Finance (Emerging Talent Advisory Council Liaison)
• Jennifer Fanz, Country Sales Manager, US Healthcare, DLL (Council Chair-Elect)
• Fiona Gellatly, Senior Regional Sales Manager, Q2 Cloud Lending
• Andrea Hart, Global HR Director, Caterpillar Financial Services
• Jaimie Haver, CLFP, SVP Operations Manager, Hanmi Bank
• Melissa Kopit, Associate, Vedder Price
• Kristie Kosobuski, CLFP, Senior Director Product Management, IDS
• Margie Krumholz, Partner, Thompson Coburn
• Milissa Melle, VP of Demand Generation and Sales Readiness, Key Equipment Finance
• Terry Miller, Director of Sales – North America, CNH Industrial Capital
• Kara Miyasato, CLFP, Marketing Director, Stryker Flex Financial
• Catherine Roddick, Regional Vice President, Farm Credit Leasing
• Kevin Sensenbrenner, SVP/Senior Managing Director, Head of Asset Management, Stonebriar Commercial Finance
• Marci Slagle, CLFP, President, BankFinancial
• Michelle Speranza, SVP, Chief Marketing Officer, LEAF Commercial Capital
• Shari Williams, Executive Vice President – Credit and Risk Management, Nexseer Capital
• Jenny Wood, CLFP, SVP Client Services, Orion First Financial
• Carlie Yeandle, CPA, CLFP, Vice President, BMO Harris Equipment Finance