STRIPES Leadership Program, the professional and personal leadership development program designed to challenge and inspire best-in-class leaders within the equipment finance industry in partnership with the Monitor, announced that industry leader Michelle Speranza — senior vice president and chief marketing officer at LEAF Commercial Capital — will lead a Master Talk titled Executive Communication: Key to Expanding Reach, Influencing Others, and Leading Through Uncertainty and the Unknowable.

Effective leadership begins with effective communication. This Master Talk is for anyone who wants to lean into moments of great change and move beyond arm’s-length executive communications to connect across teams and with industry peers in a more vulnerable, empowering and effective way.

“Effective leadership isn’t possible without effective communication, and even the best leaders and teams can struggle in an environment where communication isn’t clear, consistent, cohesive and compelling. But by keeping a few key principles in mind, leaders can engage and inspire teams to overcome challenges and push the company forward even in the most uncertain times,” Speranza said.

STRIPES Leadership Program is a 10-month, rich and unique leadership development program for equipment finance professionals. Master Talks, like the one being led by Speranza, are just one component of the comprehensive program tapestry, which includes a three-day Breakthrough Intensive Program, Master Workshops, a Mentor/Mentee Program, STRIPES Living Leadership Development Plan and more. Launching in September 2021, the program will cultivate a transformative journey to leadership advancement. The curriculum is designed to present opportunities for participants to expand both personally and professionally, and to enhance their leadership potential

“Leaders are only as effective as their ability to communicate. Thus, one of the most important aspects of leadership is powerful communication skills,” Lisa Rafter, CEO and founder of STRIPES Leadership Program, said. “In Michelle’s Master Talk, she not only shares how to get a message across clearly and motivate others, but also how to renew team purpose and trust even in the most uncertain times.”

Speranza has been with LEAF Commercial Capital since 2005. She leverages extensive expertise in creating results-driven marketing and public relations campaigns with a strong emphasis on brand building, lead generation and customer retention. A strategic leader with deep experience developing omnichannel campaigns for diverse target audiences, Speranza was a marketing professional for the Walt Disney Company prior to joining LEAF. She is a former chair and current member of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s Communications Committee, and she also serves on the Monitor’s Editorial Board.