The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association announced plans for the second annual ELFA Equity Forum to celebrate and advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the equipment finance industry. The forum will be held from Sept. 13-14 in New Orleans.

“The key theme of this year’s Equity Forum is showcasing how diversity, equity and inclusion are good for business, good for hiring and good for all of us,” Scott Thacker, CPA, CLFP, founding chair of the Equity Committee at the ELFA and CEO of Ivory Consulting, said. “We’re going to dive into the business case for DEI as well as strategies for recruiting, hiring and creating a culture of inclusiveness. Throughout the forum, attendees will have many opportunities to meet and network with a talented and thoughtful group of their industry colleagues. We had such a positive response to our first forum last year; we can’t wait to bring ELFA members together for our second event. We hope you’ll join us Sept. 13-14!”

Agenda Highlights

At the 2023 ELFA Equity Forum, sessions will be offered in a variety of formats to create a place for meaningful conversation, balancing both learning and dialogue. The goal is to provide a forum to discuss strategies that can influence corporate social responsibility and broaden cross-cultural understanding.

Highlights will include:

• DE&I Strategies for Building an Inclusive Workforce
• DE&I in the Manufacturing Industry & Beyond – Making the Business Case
• How to Hire for Diversity – Now and in 2028
• Recruiting in Our Industry
• The ELFA Equity Eco-Sphere – Others Are Jumping In
• From Hiring to ERGs – Brainstorming How to Create a DE&I Focus Throughout the Employee Lifecycle
• Real-Life Problem Analysis with Specific New Directions
• Multiple networking opportunities, including an opening networking luncheon with New Orleans jazz music, a networking reception featuring the Black Equipment Finance Network, a dine around, a fun run/walk and a networking breakfast.

Along with Thacker, the EFLA’s 2023 Equity Committee, which is helping to plan the forum, includes:

• Michael Baez, Vice President of Professional Services and Customer Strategy, Leasepath
• Deborah Baker, Head of Worldwide Leasing and Financing, HP
• Linda D’Amico, Senior Director and Global Lead of Cisco Refresh, Cisco Capital Compliance, Cisco Systems Capital
• Julia Gavrilov, Partner, Moritt Hock & Hamroff
• Benjamin Grove, Legislative Director, Thompson Coburn
• Christopher Johnson, Senior Vice President and President, Pitney Bowes Global Financial Services
• Svetlana Kralik, CLFP, Credit Administration Officer and Vice President, U.S. Bank
• Eric McGriff, Senior Vice President and Chief Risk Officer, Wintrust Specialty Finance
• Stuart Papavassiliou, Copywriter, LEAF Commercial Capital
• Ricardo Rios, President and CEO, Commercial Equipment Finance
• Sean Scampton, Director of Sales and Marketing, Leasepath
• DelRoy Stauffer, CLFP, Director of Sales and Business Development, Odessa
• Moto Tohda, CLFP, Vice President of Information Systems, Tokyo Century (USA)
• Ernest Tsorvas, Senior Vice President and National Sales Manager, Fifth Third Bank
• Derek Vander Linden, Strategic Projects Business Analyst, Key Equipment Finance
• Amy Weum, Regional Vice President, Farm Credit Leasing