The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation launched Campus to Career, a newly enhanced platform of next generation talent development programs. Campus to Career was designed to more accurately reflect the objective of the foundation’s academic resources, which are designed to reflect the need for the equipment finance industry to attract the future workforce and to be intentional about diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in recruiting. 

The foundation also announces it is partnering with the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University to develop a curriculum for a certificate of study in equipment finance. Working with the W.P. Carey department of finance, the first course focusing on credit analysis and equipment leasing is being offered to students for the spring 2024 semester. Over the next few years, the program will expand to a series of five courses incorporating the finance elective, lease accounting, and additional coursework in sales and marketing.

“So many of us are searching for talent to build our businesses to better serve our clients well into the future,” Donna Yanuzzi, director of equipment finance at 1st Equipment Finance (FNCB Bank) and chair of the foundation’s academic outreach committee, said. “The foundation team understands our needs and has dedicated a tremendous amount of effort developing the Campus to Career programs to help us find the best new talent.” 

Campus to Career programs include:

• Opportunities in Equipment Finance – Industry professionals are encouraged to deliver these ready-made academic presentations that feature career pathways and finance subject matter at local colleges and universities, or their alma mater. This was formerly the Guest Lecture Program.
• Internship Resources – All equipment finance industry firms with available internship positions can reach eligible student candidates by posting openings in the Campus to Career online listing. 
• Recruiting Resources – Industry professionals can learn from articles and information on best practices for industry recruiting from sources including the National Association for Colleges and Employers, the National Society for Experiential Education and Northern Illinois University
• Scholarships – The foundation awards annual scholarships to students interested in potentially pursuing a career in the equipment finance industry.  

“The success of the foundation’s academic outreach to date, strong industry demand for student talent recruiting resources and our groundbreaking curriculum development partnership with ASU clearly demonstrate the value of our expanded investment in the Campus to Career platform,” Nancy Pistorio, foundation chair and president of Madison Capital, said. “The foundation continues to fulfill its forward-looking mission with programs that elevate the stature and sustainability of the equipment finance industry thanks to the support of our generous donors and volunteers.”